Online security threats are nothing to mess around with. Case in point: analysts predict that by 2021, the damage costs from cybercrime will reach $6 trillion. Rather than run the risk of losing business and losing the hard work you’ve put into your brand reputation, you should be up to date on the security risks of the Web and how you can combat them.
No matter what type of web hosting you use, whether it’s shared hosting or a virtual private server, you are not exempt from security threats. Even the best hosting option can run into safety issues. And while hosting providers will do their best to ensure your site is never compromised, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have your own safety tactics in place, too.
Even website owners who feel like they don’t have anything work hacking are not safe from security threats. Keep in mind that a large volume of security breaches aren’t just from hackers who want to steal data (such as user payment information) but from people who want to use servers for spam or set up a temporary web server for illegal servers. With a few simple tips, you can put more control into your own hands, and ensure everyone is happy and has access to a safe browsing and buying experience.
Create A Backup
Site safety isn’t just about hacking attempts — a wide variety of site issues could result in a crash that loses all or some of your data. Rather than start from scratch, designing and updating your website all over again, it’s best to employ preventative measures. You never know when a disaster could strike, and safety precautions are very necessary. For WordPress users, there are plenty of backup-generating plugins to assist. The backups save all aspects of your website, from content to images to designs.
Be sure to test your website speed before and after you install backup plugins to ensure they don’t thwart the user experience in any way. The slower your website is, the more likely your visitors are to leave. You can also create a Google Drive backup of your site. If you’re familiar with Google Drive, you understand how intuitive it is, and it’s the perfect solution for your backup strategy. This option allows all your work to be saved remotely in the cloud, where you can access it from any device with Internet connection.
Update Your Software
Not all hosting updates are about improving just user features — some are about improving user safety. Your operating system and content management system should be updated regularly. The is highly important, because once any security holes are identified, hackers are quick to capitalize on them. Companies like WordPress or Squarespace are quick to patch up an issue and push an update in the case of an emergency, but it’s ultimately up to you, the website owner, to ensure your website and software is always up to date for optimal safety. Most management platform will let you know right away if there are any updates available.
Utilize HTTPS
If you allow users to input any type of data, your site needs to have an SSL certificate. HTTPS provides Internet security to both you and your users. Not sure if your site needs HTTPS? If you allow users to create their own logins, you need certification. If you have a search box that allows users to search your website, you need certification. And if you allow customers to purchase products through your site, you most certainly need certification. HTTPS is a means of authentication for both you and your site guests.
Not only do you open yourself up to security vulnerabilities when it comes to HTTP, but you can also negatively impact your Google ranking signal when you don’t have proper thresholds in place. Google also announced that beginning in October 2017, they would display a warning signal in search results for websites who did not have an SSL certificate, which could dramatically impact site visits.
Use Security Plugins
Of the thousands of plugins available for WordPress users, security plugins are some of the most critical. These plugins prevent hacking attempts, and are constantly behaving like security guards for your digital goods. For example, Bulletproof Security is a highly rated security app that frequently pushes updates to maintain prime safety. It provides login security, anti-spam, a malware scanner, and much more. Rather than attempt to gather all these security features independently, you can take full advantage of an all-in-one security solution.