Website Security Best Practices: 12 most relevant tips to secure your website from hackers

How to secure your website – 12 Essential Tips for Secure and Hack-Proof Website

 

Website Security Best Practices For Business Sites

Around 30,000 websites face cyberattacks daily. We are often asked how we can protect our websites from hackers and cyberattacks. If you want to learn the Website security best practices, read this blog further.

In this digital transformation era, websites are one of the largest ways to communicate with a relatable audience. Websites are all in one company’s information hub, including the services, support, and more; hackers are the worst enemy. It’s that platform where you get updates, make purchases, contact your representatives, access special offers, and more. But what if your website gets hacked? A hacked website leads to significant financial and reputational losses. Cybercriminals generally target corporate websites to steal data or demand ransom payments.

Not only large corporations are at risk, but small businesses are frequently targeted, too. Hackers do not discriminate based on the size of your business—they attack any site they can access, small or big. This is an everyday problem for businesses that encounter stolen customer data and damaged reputations. One of the most stressed questions companies’ faces is, “How can we protect our website from hackers?”

This guide will explore everything about a hacked website and the steps to secure your website against cyber threats with Website Security Best Practices.

 

Website Hacking Statics

• 20 ransomware attacks occur every second.
• The average cost of a data breach in healthcare is $10.1 million.
• 10.8 million websites are hacked every year
• Cyberattack damages are expected to hit $10.5 trillion by 2025.
• There are more than 1.27 million phishing sites worldwide.

 

Know the basics first.

Before we discuss the steps to secure your website’s hackproof security practices, let’s discuss some basics that you should know. You should know the enemy’s tactics first.

 

How Do Hackers Execute Cyberattacks – Different Ways Websites Get Hacked

As of 2024, the World Wide Web hosts over 1.5 billion websites are making inclusive security a monumental challenge. Google’s Safe Browsing issues more than 3 million warnings each day. It means if you calculate, around 30 million websites may be currently hacked or infected. Additionally, nearly 70% of businesses worldwide report experiencing web attacks.

You should know how hackers attack a website and what can make it vulnerable. There can be several reasons why and how hackers operate on your website. If your site is outdated, has weak passwords, or has poor security practices, then it becomes an easy target for malicious activities.

Hackers employ various methods to compromise websites, generally falling into three main categories: access control, software vulnerabilities, and third-party integrations. They often target insecure login points using instinctive force attacks, where they systematically guess usernames and passwords. Social engineering is another dominant tactic; hackers create phishing websites to trick users into revealing their login credentials.

Common vulnerabilities and reasons that can make your website an easy target for hackers include –

• Outdated versions of software- Hackers love exploiting weaknesses in old software versions, plugins, and themes.
• Incorrect file permissions– Poor settings can give hackers unauthorised access to sensitive files.
• Insecure web hosting– A vulnerable hosting environment can act as an open door for attacks.
• Weak passwords– Simple or reused passwords can be easily cracked with brute force attacks.
• Unpatched vulnerabilities- Neglecting to apply security patches exposes your site to potential threats.

 

Note that WordPress is the most popular CMS platform, which makes it a frequent target for hackers. Also, addressing these security vulnerabilities is essential not to fall victim to a range of cyberattacks, each with potentially devastating consequences. For example, Brute force attacks involve hackers repeatedly trying to guess your passwords until they gain access. Ransomware attacks can lock you out of your system, demanding payment for re-access, and other hacking attempts can further compromise your website.

These attacks can lead to severe security issues, such as malware infections, malicious code injections, and data breaches, which can compromise sensitive information and damage your site’s reputation.

 

12 most relevant tips to secure your website from hackers

How to make your website Hack-Proof?

The best way to protect your website from hackers is to set up automatic backups. You can use backup plugins to save your website data in the cloud. It’ll help you recover your data in case of disaster or data loss. Regular maintenance tasks are also helpful in protecting the website by boosting its security.

Some additional actions, such as updates, database cleanups, and malware scans, are also helpful to keep hackers out of your website. Additionally, every business realises that cyberattacks can pose a serious issue to online activities. But if you know all the major security measures, it will be easy to protect your website from hackers and cyber threats.

Tip 1-    Select a Trustworthy Web Hosting Provider for your website

Choosing the right web hosting provider is the first step in securing your website. Think of it as selecting a landlord for your online space, one who is responsible for safely storing your website’s data and files. When consulting with your web design agency, ensure they help you select a trusted hosting provider known for robust security practices, reliable customer support, and comprehensive backup solutions.

A reputable web hosting provider generally offers advanced security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and malware scanners, to protect your site from potential threats. They also ensure regular updates and patches to minimise the risk of exploitation through outdated software.

Additionally, many reputable hosts offer automatic backup and recovery solutions, allowing quick data restoration in case of an attack. With 24/7 customer support, you can easily address any security concerns.

 

Tip 2-    Secure Your Website with an SSL Certificate

What’s HTTPS–

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is a critical security layer that encrypts the data between your website and visitors. This encryption ensures that the data is unreadable to anyone who might intercept it, protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, personal details, names, addresses, and payment details.

Executing HTTPS secures your site’s user data and builds customer trust. How? It shows that your website takes security seriously. To establish HTTPS, websites use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates. An SSL certificate creates an encrypted connection between your web server and browsers, ensuring that the data transferred remains private and secure. Setting up HTTPS is straightforward and can be done through your hosting provider’s control panel.

Why do we need SSL certificates?

These certificates are essential for any website handling sensitive data and play an important role in website security. They authenticate your website’s identity, providing assurance to visitors that they are interacting with a legitimate site and not a fraudulent one. SSL will benefit users’ data security if you have an e-commerce site or any platform where users are required to input personal information.

Beyond security, using HTTPS has additional benefits. Google prioritises HTTPS websites in search rankings, meaning that securing your site can improve your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts. This practice boosts security and helps drive more traffic to your site by enhancing its visibility in search results.

 

Tip 3-    Update Software, Plugins, and Themes On Regular Basis

If you partner with a professional web development agency like CrackleCode, they will handle most of the security work for your website. However, you need to understand that website security is a shared responsibility. While the agency will implement robust security measures, you must remain vigilant about your own security practices , which include keeping your software updated, using strong passwords, and staying informed about potential threats.

Regularly updating all software, plugins, and themes on your website maintains robust security, especially if you are using a Content Management System like WordPress, which is a common target for hackers due to its widespread use.

You should know that Outdated plugins are significant security risks, responsible for approximately 56% of attacks on WordPress sites. Older versions of software may contain security flaws that malicious actors discover and exploit, resulting in vulnerabilities.

Additionally, updates typically include security patches to address these newly discovered vulnerabilities and bug fixes to improve site performance. To protect your site from potential threats, it is crucial to check for updates regularly. When updates are available, installing them immediately ensures that your website remains secure and functions optimally.

 

Tip 4-    Apply Robust Password Policies Against Unauthorised Access

For better website security, use complex passwords, as they serve as the primary barrier against potential intrusions. Also, make each password unique, which reduces the likelihood of successful hacking attempts and helps maintain the security of your website. We advise establishing and enforcing strong password policies across your site to enhance security. So, what can you include under these policies? Include guidelines for password complexity, length, regular updates, and more security practices to decrease the risk of data breaches.

In addition to robust passwords, consider integrating two-factor authentication (2FA) into your security measures. Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through a second factor, such as a code sent to their mobile phone. This added step makes it more challenging for attackers to gain access, even if they manage to obtain a user’s password. Adopting such website security best practices strengthens your website’s defences and better protects sensitive information from unauthorised access.

 

5-    Ensure Consistent and Reliable Website Backups

Website backup means you secure your website against various potential issues, such as cyber-attacks, accidental deletions, or server failures. You can ask your web design partners to set up and manage regular backups for you and ensure that copies of your site’s data and files are created and stored securely.

Up-to-date backups give you options to restore your site if something goes wrong. To achieve this, the hosting provider will help you with its built-in backup features. Alternatively, you can use specialised backup plugins like Jetpack VaultPress Backup that automate the backup process without needing to check. You can also ask your website maintenance partner to perform manual backups. This process involves downloading your website’s files and database and storing them in a separate, secure location.

Additionally, keep these backups in multiple locations that are not directly connected to your website’s server. This way, even if your server is compromised, your backup data remains safe and accessible. This technique will help restore the site quickly and preserve your business operations.

 

6–     Web Application Firewall (WAF) Acts As A Security Guard

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters out malicious traffic and allows only legitimate users to access your website. WAFs are adept at blocking a range of common cyber-attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and code injection attempts. These types of attacks can exploit vulnerabilities in your website’s code, potentially leading to data breaches, website defacement, and other severe security incidents. WAF is different from traditional firewalls that easily understand and manage website traffic and offer a more nuanced and precise level of protection. With all this, a WAF helps safeguard your website’s integrity and your users’ sensitive information.

One of the key advantages of a WAF is its ability to provide continuous, real-time protection. As threats are detected, the WAF immediately blocks them to minimise potential damage. Moreover, WAFs are designed to diminish false positives, which means legitimate traffic is less likely to be mistakenly blocked. It guarantees a smooth user experience while maintaining high-security standards.

In addition to blocking known threats, many WAFs come with advanced features such as threat intelligence and machine learning capabilities. These features enable the WAF to adapt to new and emerging threats.  Popular WAF providers such as CloudFlare, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Imperva, Akamai, F5 Networks, and Barracuda Networks offer robust solutions that are easy to implement and highly effective. So, use WAF to fortify your website’s security.

 

7-    Manage User Access and Permissions

If your website contains sensitive information, changing and restricting user access and permissions is crucial to minimise the risk of unauthorised access. Restricting access based on user roles helps to ensure that only authorised individuals can perform specific tasks or access certain data. Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress offer user roles with predefined access levels, making assigning permissions based on responsibilities easier. For example, an editor might have access to create and edit content, while an administrator might have broader access to manage the entire site.

Also, these permissions should be reviewed and updated frequently because the website’s access levels should be adjusted accordingly to prevent any potential security breaches. Applying bespoke access control mechanisms for custom websites can provide an even finer level of control. It will allow you to define specific permissions for different user groups tailored to your organisation’s unique needs. It is also essential to adhere to the principle of least privilege, granting users only the minimum level of access needed to perform their tasks. This tactic lessens the risk of human error or malicious activity, as fewer users access sensitive website areas. All these management and changes will enhance the security of your website.

 

8-    Empower Your Team with Cybersecurity Training

Do you think that website security is just about using technology? No, it’s also about people too. It would help if you understood that everyone in your company or organisation needs to be on the same page about cybersecurity to keep your site safe. To imply this, conducting regular and comprehensive security awareness training sessions is crucial. These sessions should cover a range of topics, starting with identifying phishing emails—one of the most common methods hackers use to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information. Train your employees to recognise the signs of phishing attempts, such as suspicious email addresses, unexpected attachments, or urgent language requesting sensitive data.

 

What should you include in your web security best practices training?

Training should emphasise the importance of password hygiene. Employees must be educated on creating strong, unique passwords for different accounts and the significance of changing passwords regularly. Highlight the risks of using weak or reused passwords and introduce tools like password managers to help maintain strong, secure passwords.

Website security best practices for handling sensitive information should also be a focal point of your training. Employees need to understand how to manage and protect personal data and company information responsibly, both online and offline. They must know how to securely share files, use encryption, and recognise social engineering tactics that could compromise data security.

Make sure to keep your team informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and trends and provide a variety of resources, such as articles, videos, and online courses. Additionally, simulating real-world scenarios is an effective way to strengthen learning and test employees’ alertness. Hence, you can conduct phishing simulations and other mock security incidents to evaluate how well your team can apply their training in practical situations. This practice will test their knowledge and help identify gaps in understanding that can be addressed in subsequent training sessions. If you need help, you can hire a cybersecurity expert to train your employees.

 

9-    Manage File Uploads and Monitor User Content

This tip is essential for you because managing your files and user content is in your hands if you are not connected with your web design partners. If you permit users to upload files on your website opens doors to various security risks if you don’t handle them correctly. To safeguard your site, it’s crucial to regulate file uploads meticulously.

How to start? Begin by defining strict guidelines for the types of files that can be uploaded. For instance, allow only specific file formats necessary for your website’s functionality and impose reasonable size limits to prevent large files that could overwhelm your server or introduce vulnerabilities.

Also, monitor the content that users upload. Try inspecting files and user-generated content regularly to ensure they do not contain any harmful code or malware. If your site encourages user interaction and content creation, such as forums, blogs, or social media sites, then it’s vital to follow monitoring or implement automated tools to scan files for potential threats.

In addition to these precautions, we suggest you store uploaded files in a separate directory away from your website’s root folder so that in case a malicious file is uploaded, it can diminish the danger of malware affecting critical system files. The isolation of user-uploaded content from your core site files creates an additional layer of protection so attackers cannot recognise it. These continuous updates to your security protocols and routine checks will help maintain the integrity and safety of your website.

 

10-  Optimise Security with Key Plugins and Thoughtful Plugin Management

We discussed backup plugins above, but with those plugins, security plugins are also potent and safeguard your website from potential threats. These plugins automate crucial security tasks, such as scanning for weaknesses, detecting malware, and providing real-time protection.

Some popular tools, such as Wordfence, Sucuri, and iThemes Security, offer a range of features, including malware scanning, firewall protection, and two-factor authentication.

However, while security plugins are vital, managing your overall plugin usage carefully is equally important. Limit the number of plugins to those that are necessary and actively maintained. As we have talked about before, outdated or poorly supported plugins can become vulnerabilities, and hackers exploit them to gain unauthorised access to your site.

Regularly reviewing your installed plugins is essential in website security best practices. You should deactivate any that are no longer in use and delete those that are outdated or unsupported. Keeping your plugin list streamlined and up-to-date helps your website run smoothly without the risk of hackers’ attacks.

 

11- Be Cautious with Emails and Commands

Email has a big market for sharing important messages to promote. However, there is also an extensive range of fraud.  Hence, it is essential to understand and avoid following commands in suspicious emails or clicking on displayed links or messages so you can prevent phishing attacks and malware infections. You should always verify the source of communications before taking action, like opening the mail or following email guides and educate your team on recognising and handling phishing attempts. You can also implement robust email security measures, such as spam filters and antivirus software, which adds an extra layer of defence.

Understanding and avoiding commands in suspicious emails, verifying sources, and educating your team are critical steps in protecting your business website from potential threats posed by phishing and other social engineering attacks, so try these steps. By staying informed and cautious, let’s maintain the integrity and security of your digital communications.

 

12- Conduct Regular Security Testing

Regularly checking and testing your website’s security plays an important role in finding and fixing finding and fixing any weaknesses. One effective method is diffusion testing, where experts simulate cyber-attacks on your site to see where it might be vulnerable.

With this testing, you can analyse the website’s defences. You can hire professional security experts who employ various techniques and tools to mimic the tactics used by cybercriminals, rigorously testing your site’s security measures. They will pinpoint specific vulnerabilities through this process, and once they are identified, security professionals can recommend and implement practical improvements to strengthen your site’s security posture.

Regular security testing is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process you must do daily. As cyber threats continuously evolve, staying ahead of potential risks is imperative by frequently assessing your website’s security.

In addition to technical measures, security assessments can also evaluate your organisation’s overall Website security best practices, including employee training, incident response plans, and compliance with industry standards and regulations. This holistic approach helps create a robust security framework that integrates people, processes, and technology.

The benefits of regular security assessments extend beyond just protecting your website. They provide peace of mind to you, your stakeholders, and your customers, knowing your website is secure against potential breaches. Furthermore, demonstrating a commitment to security can improve your business’s reputation and trustworthiness.

 

What are the potential risks of Cyberattacks on Websites?

With the above website security hackproof practices, there are fewer chances of hacking your website. However, you should also know the risks associated with website cyberattacks. Here are the main risks –

• Exposure of Sensitive Data

If a company fails to secure its website, client data can end up on the darknet. This breach risks exposing personal information and leads to a significant loss of customer trust. It directly affected clients, potentially severing ties permanently.

• Loss of Intellectual Property

Businesses or companies generally store valuable intellectual property, such as vendor and customer information or confidential documents, on their websites. A security breach may cause a business disaster and damage to the reputation, possibly leading to legal action from customers and partners.

• Abuse of Website Resources

Hackers may use a compromised website to attack other organisations or mine cryptocurrencies. This misuse of resources can be a major cause of legal complications, with law enforcement possibly tracing cyberattacks back to your site. It can also result in financial and reputational effects.

• Testing Ground for Exploits

Inadequate security measures can allow hackers to use the compromised site to experiment with new techniques and exploits. This situation leads to unpredictable damage, and a lengthy recovery process as your site becomes a testing ground for malicious activities.

• Reputation and Financial Damage

Neglecting website security is an open invitation for malicious actors to inject harmful content into your site. This type of breach can redirect your site’s traffic, leading to a poor user experience that also damages your company’s reputation and finances. Competitors might exploit these security gaps to undermine your business. This directly aims to tarnish your reputation and weaken your financial position. The fallout from such attacks can be extensive, affecting customer trust and potentially leading to lost revenue.

• Negative media coverage

Companies that fail to secure their websites from cyber threats and cyberattacks may also face negative media coverage. Industry publications and news outlets often highlight data breaches, signalling to potential partners and investors that your company may not be a reliable business partner. This can slow growth or even force a company out of the market.

Not paying enough attention to website security exposes your business to significant risks, including potential data breaches, financial loss, and irreparable damage to your reputation.

 

Conclusion

Securing your website is more than applying technical measures—it’s a comprehensive process that involves selecting the right hosting provider, maintaining updated software, applying robust security policies, educating your team and more. With cyber threats evolving daily, adhering to best website security best practices and staying informed about potential risks is crucial to protecting your site from attacks.

As we’ve outlined, from selecting a trustworthy web hosting provider to employing advanced security tools and conducting regular security testing, each step contributes to a more vigorous defence against cyber threats. However, if the complexities of website security seem overwhelming or you seek expert guidance, you can directly contact a trusted web design and development service provider like CrackleCode. With more than 750 successful projects, we are ready to build a secure, hackproof website. Our team takes care of all the security measures while creating your business website, including functionality and all the other aspects.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with in hackproof practices to secure your website against cyber threats. For more useful resources or browse our blog and keep an eye on our Medium page (coming soon).