12 Essential Website Security Tips to Protect Your Site Now

When it comes to your website, security should be one of your biggest priorities. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and hackers are constantly finding new ways to infiltrate vulnerable websites. Protecting your online presence is critical for safeguarding your data, your customers’ information, and your business’s reputation— and in this article, we will show you how to make your site bulletproof.

What Is Website Security?

Website security involves the practices and tools used to protect a site from cyber threats and unauthorized access. This includes measures like encryption, firewalls, backups, and adding secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates, aimed at keeping your data safe. It’s important for maintaining a trustworthy online presence and ensuring that users’ information remains secure.

Note that website security is not a one-time task, it’s an ongoing process that requires regular updates and monitoring. As cyber threats constantly evolve, website owners must continually improve their security practices and address potential vulnerabilities to keep their site safe.

Why Website Security Matters for Your Business

Website security is not just a technical concern. While websites can be targeted for various reasons, one of the most alarming facts is that 43% of all hacked websites are owned by small businesses. Hackers exploit their vulnerabilities to steal data, inject malware, or use the website as a launching point for other attacks.

Unfortunately, the consequences of a breach can be severe for your business or project:

• Revenue loss: Downtime and compromised functionality can affect your sales and services.
• Reputation damage: Customers can lose trust in a business that fails to protect their information.
• Cleanup costs: Hiring cybersecurity experts, implementing damage control measures, and paying for security tools to restore functionality can be expensive.
• Legal issues: In some cases, breaches may also result in legal penalties for failing to comply with data protection regulations like GDPR, for example. 

Given these risks, investing in proactive website security measures is not just about avoiding loss; it’s about ensuring your business can operate with confidence and integrity, and so that you can enjoy peace of mind.

How to Protect Your Website from Hackers: Understanding Their Tactics and Attacks

Web applications are constantly being improved, and security is something all developers pay special attention to. But hackers are not slacking off either. When a known security vulnerability is fixed, they either find another way to exploit it or discover a new one very quickly (or in the worst case, both).

And yet, despite the precautions and improvements, a lot of websites are still getting hacked. Why? 

The main reason is that many, if not most, users seriously underestimate security as a whole – not only the security of their websites but the security of their hosting accounts and even the security of their own computers.

And this is an ideal opportunity for hackers to “show off their skills.” That’s because hackers keep their “software” up to date – indeed, new viruses are developed all the time. And while they keep their applications current, many users don’t. Once users install an application and start using it, they often forget about upgrades and security fixes.

Another misconception is that hackers only target large, well-known websites or those with sensitive data. In reality, smaller, less visible sites are often the primary targets. These smaller sites are typically seen as easier to breach and, as we’ve said, once compromised, they can serve as a starting point for broader attacks.

Hackers might use these sites to launch attacks on other more valuable targets or to hijack server resources for things like launching Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks or sending spam. Plus, many smaller websites host outdated applications, which often contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

The most common security threats for websites are:

• Malware: This is malicious code injected into websites or web applications. The goal could be to steal sensitive data, display unwanted content, redirect users to malicious sites, or take control of the site for illicit purposes.
• Brute Force Attacks: Hackers use them to gain unauthorized access to accounts by systematically trying many different password combinations. Once successful, they can take control of the account and compromise the entire site.
• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): This type of attack floods a website or server with massive amounts of traffic, overwhelming it and causing it to go offline. Attackers often use botnets, which are networks of infected computers, to carry out these large-scale attacks.

12 Crucial Website Security Tips

Let’s see what you can do to make your website safer. Below, we’ll explain the most important, effective, and must-known safety measures you can take. 

1. Start with Secure Hosting

Start by considering where your site lives – your hosting platform. It’s the backbone of your site’s security. Choose a renowned web host that prioritizes protection with features like secure server infrastructure, advanced firewalls, daily malware scans, DDoS protection, and automated backups. 

A reputable hosting provider does more than just keep your site online. It can actively shield it from threats with various tools and solutions, creating a solid barrier right from the start. 

Take the time to research providers, checking their websites, security measures and features, and customer reviews. This will guarantee your website has a strong base to build upon, protecting it from the get-go.

2. Install an SSL Certificate

Having an SSL certificate is a must-have for any website, regardless of its purpose or size. This industry-standard encryption technology secures the data exchanged between your site and your visitors’ browsers, safeguarding sensitive information like logins and payment details from being accessed by hackers. 

Without it, your website is exposed to risks like data theft, which can also lead to hurting user trust in your brand. Moreover, browsers mark websites that don’t have an SSL with a red warning sign and Google even penalizes such sites, making it a crucial SEO factor.

Though it might sound complex, installing an SSL certificate on your website is pretty straightforward. Usually, hosting providers that take security seriously offer it as part of your hosting plan and provide an easy way to get it configured without tech knowledge. 

At SiteGround, for example, we provide free Standard and Wildcard SSL certificates with all our hosting plans, and to make it even more convenient for clients, the Standard SSL certificate comes preinstalled. 

If your hosting provider doesn’t offer an SSL certificate for some reason, you can get one for free from Let’s Encrypt.

3. Use Strong Passwords & Change them Often

Weak or reused passwords are a gateway for cybercriminals, making brute-force attacks and unauthorized access far easier. Basically, if a hacker can break your password and get access to your website, they can do whatever they want with it. 

Although it seems like a no-brainer, many website owners still use weak, easy-to-guess passwords like “123456” or follow predictable patterns, leaving their sites vulnerable. An easy, free, and effective way to secure your website is by simply changing your passwords often and using complex ones that are hard to guess.

A good approach is to create one that is a whole sentence, and including special characters or numbers will make it even stronger. Also, avoid using the same password across multiple platforms, and encourage users of your website to update their passwords regularly too.

4. Backup Your Site Regularly

Cybersecurity disasters can happen anytime whether due to a human error, security breach, or server failure. In such situations, having a backup of your website is your safety net. 

With it, you can easily restore your website to its previous state, minimize the downtime for your clients and visitors, and protect your overall business operations. There are three main ways to back up your website: manually using FTP (if you’re experienced), with a third-party solution, or by using a tool integrated in your web hosting service. The last two options are more convenient as they automate the process and save you time.

5. Monitor Traffic and User Activity

Unusual activity patterns can be early warning signs of potential security threats, such as brute-force attacks or vulnerability exploits. Pay attention to red flags like unexpected traffic spikes, unusual geographic origins, or suspicious user behaviors. 

These anomalies could indicate potential cyber risks that require immediate action, like blocking suspicious IP addresses or regions. For instance, a sudden surge of traffic from a country you don’t typically serve or target might signal a coordinated attack attempt.

You can monitor your website traffic easily using a network security tool. Many hosting providers also offer built-in security monitoring services that can help you track your traffic.

6. Regular Scans and Malware Detection

Proactively scanning your website for vulnerabilities and malware is another security measure that will help you identify and respond quickly to vulnerabilities before they’re exploited, ensuring your site remains safe. Automated tools can simplify this process, conducting thorough checks for malware and suspicious activity across your site’s files.

7. Block Brute-Force Attempts

Brute-force attacks represent one of the most common and persistent threats to website security and website owners. As we mentioned earlier, these automated attacks use tools to systematically guess login credentials, targeting your website’s vulnerabilities with rapid login attempts. 

These attacks can be relentless and, if successful, lead to severe security breaches and consequences – stolen personal information, financial loss, and more. To protect your site from such threats, it’s crucial to implement diverse measures. 

Start with strong, unique passwords, and restrict the number of login attempts allowed on your admin panel. Regularly monitor IP addresses for unusual activity and use CAPTCHA challenges to block automated bots. These proactive steps can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

8. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters and blocks malicious traffic to your site. A WAF basically acts as a protective layer between your website and the internet, filtering incoming traffic and blocking potential threats like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. 

This additional layer of security can be a game-changer so make sure your website takes advantage of such solutions. There are different third-party services and WordPress plugins you can use for this purpose. An even better option is to rely on a server-level WAF via your host, as it usually provides advanced protection using big data and real-time analysis.

Now that you know some of the fundamental website security tips, let’s see some specific measures you should take if you’re a WordPress website owner. Although WordPress is a secure platform, its popularity makes it a prime target for hackers. 

Powering over 40% of all websites globally, WordPress naturally attracts attention from cybercriminals, so it’s important to keep your WordPress site in top shape.

9. Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Regularly

It’s highly recommended to update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins whenever there’s a new version. Along with new features and functionality, software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities, helping to protect your website from exploitation. 

To check for available updates, simply go to your WordPress dashboard > Settings (or Plugins). You can either manually manage updates for your WordPress site or opt for a managed WordPress hosting provider that handles the updates for you.

10. Strengthen Login Security

You can further improve your WordPress website security by strengthening its login. This can be done in several layers – enforcing strong password policies, limiting login attempts, and considering two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of protection.

Making your WordPress login URL custom and unpredictable is an important security step, as WordPress uses standard login URLs like /wp-admin or /wp-login.php, which hackers and bots can easily target. For instance, instead of the default, you could use a unique URL that only you would know and remember, like /my-unique-login. Tools like the Security Optimizer plugin make it simple to configure this directly from your WordPress Admin Panel. Additionally, it’s wise to create a unique login name, as ‘admin’ is the default username, making it a common target for attackers too.

Another step you can take to secure your login is to prevent brute-force attacks by limiting the number of failed login attempts. As we mentioned, these automated hacking attempts work by systematically trying multiple password combinations until they succeed. With the Optimizer plugin, you can address this  as well, as it allows you to cap the number of times users can try to log in with incorrect credentials and thus stop these automated attacks before they gain access.

Lastly, consider adding two-factor authentication (2FA) as it adds one more layer of protection, and the more layers you have, the harder it will be for hackers to break your login. Even if a hacker somehow gains access to your password, 2FA requires a secondary form of verification, such as a temporary code sent to your phone or email.

11. Monitor and Manage User Access

If multiple collaborators have access to your website, make sure they have only the necessary permissions to interact with your site. Review their roles and permissions in your WordPress backend. 

Assign roles carefully based on each collaborator’s responsibilities. For instance, blog writers or editors should only be granted editor or contributor access, restricting their ability to make critical changes to the site’s structure or security settings.

Also, remove inactive users, as they can enable potential vulnerabilities if their accounts are compromised. These “inactive” accounts are often overlooked but they can be entry points for hackers.

12. Add a Reputable Security Plugin

The WordPress ecosystem is rich with plugins that can enhance your site’s functionality and security. A good security plugin can automate many of the measures we’ve discussed, saving you time. 

A reputable provider should offer active support, regular updates, and clear documentation.

We recommend SiteGround’s Security Optimizer plugin, as it brings together all the core features you need to secure your WordPress site without requiring multiple plugins. It covers advanced login protection, firewall configuration, and activity monitoring in one user-friendly package. It strengthens your site by protecting critical system folders, blocking unauthorized access, and keeping track of all activity for any signs of suspicious behavior. If someone does manage to break in, the detailed activity logs help you quickly understand what happened and take action to fix it!

How to Stay Safe Online – Be Proactive and Regularly Review Your Security

Maintaining a safe and fully functional website is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Don’t wait for a security incident to react. Regularly review and perform your security measures, stay informed about the latest threats and best practices, and be prepared to adapt your strategy.