• Home
• /
• Security
• /
• Website
• /
• 10 Top cybersecurity practices for your website 2021

10 Top cybersecurity practices for your website 2021

You can never deny the fact that every business can fall victim to cybercrime. According to research, hackers attack more than 50,000 websites every day, a statistic that no company wants to be a part of. This has made it vital for businesses to secure their websites with all the best security tools and practices.

The easiest way to secure your site is by adopting and implementing the best website security practices. It is essential that you know these practices so that you implement them correctly.  This article focuses on some of the best practices you can follow to improve your website cybersecurity in 2021.

Let’s check them out.

 

1. Consider Having HTTPS

Every business with an online presence should prioritize HTTPS protocols on their website. This feature is an essential security standard that companies should no longer treat as optional. A green padlock icon in your website address bar lets users know that they’re safe.

Google Chrome and other browsers warn their users against websites that lack the HTTPS sign. That means you also lose one lead generation and conversions. Besides, HTTPS protocols prevent third parties from accessing the codes used to create your website, enhancing your security.

 

2. Ensure Your Software and Website are Up-To-Date

Outdated software is one of the things that can expose your business website to various threats. Websites cannot run without software, and thus, you always need to update them. Software developers release regular updates meant to fix glitches and bugs that inhibit your website’s performance.

On the other hand, hackers use automated bots to find security holes that they can exploit on websites. Your websites will be at risk if bots find outdated security software. Thus, you need to be on the lookout and install new updates immediately when software developers release them.

 

3. Manage Your Passwords Correctly

Poor password management, especially on websites with multiple users, can be a significant risk. Although passwords are supposed to secure websites, they can also be risky if mismanaged. Businesses must train their employees on password management and the dangers of sharing them.

It is also vital to invest in a password manager like Psono as a business. With enterprise password management from Psono, you can protect sensitive information shared between your team members or with external parties. This helps you to store all your passwords securely. Another thing is adding an extra security layer on top of strong passwords. You can consider using two-factor authentication for users accessing your website from any location.

 

4. Implement Access Control for All Users

Access control has helped many businesses secure their websites. Companies need to define different access permissions for users on their websites. For instance, a regular user should never gain access to an admin account. This is because their business and focus are on purchasing a product or service.

Human error has been a significant cause of cybersecurity problems, making it vital to have access control measures. This practice helps reduce the chances of error by limiting the roles of people on the site. If you are looking to secure your website, this should be among the first practices to implement.

 

5. Do Not Use Default Configurations

Websites come with a set of default configurations after development. Sticking with the same settings can threaten your website security. Sadly, this is one of the most overlooked website security practices. It has caused significant business losses as hackers use bots to detect such mistakes.

The best way to secure your website is to change the default settings before your site goes live. User controls, file permissions, etc., are some of the configurations that you need to change. This will help keep your software safe and hackers won’t gain access to your network even with sophisticated tactics.

 

6. Back-Up Your Data

Another good security practice is getting ready for anything that comes your way. You can never be sure about your website’s safety even with these measures in place. It is therefore vital to back up the files and any sensitive data. Depending on the kind of website you have, you may need to back it up more often or less often.

You can back your data up manually or enable daily automatic data backups. This will enhance your website protection to ensure that it meets NERC standards. Being compliant with this council’s guidelines can help you secure your website better.

 

7. Use Firewalls

Firewalls are some of the essential features that businesses are using to protect their websites. These tools help prevent internet access to malicious websites that can put your business at risk. But then, you need to invest in a good firewall.

A firewall prevents your site from malicious connections. It also controls incoming and outgoing traffic on your network.  Malicious software that comes through the internet won’t reach your system too if you have a firewall. You can use a firewall in hardware or software for or a combination of the two forms.

 

8. Use Continuous Monitoring

Malware and viruses are among the most significant threats to websites. That is because they’re elusive, and it takes a lot of time to detect and identify them. Detecting these threats requires that a business invests more in continuous monitoring. Being consistent with it makes it easy for you to identify these threats.

Monitoring your website can help you to know if there are security threats to it. There are several red flags to look for when monitoring your website. It is also best to implement automatic continuous monitoring rather than manual because of the manual process being slow.

 

9. Verify User Input on Your Site

SQL injection attacks have become widespread these days. Websites with field inputs are the most susceptible to SQL injection attacks. Attackers enter malicious codes into input fields meant for collecting vital user information. These attacks succeed because websites fail to detect them.

The best way to prevent such an attack is by validating user input. All the data fed into different fields on your website must get validated first. There are other points from which you can validate the user information received. In the end, you need to ensure that all details entered are verifiable.

 

10. Be Careful When Using Third-Party Services

There are several third-party services that websites use to be functional. Although they’re responsible for the seamless running of websites, they also pose security threats to businesses. These vulnerabilities provide malicious people and software with an opportunity to get into a business’s network.

Another vital third-party service that every website uses is web hosting. A web hosting service that has poor security infrastructure can expose your website. The best thing to do is take your time to find a reliable web hosting provider. Consider as many providers as possible with a focus on their security features.

 

Conclusion

These are some of the best practices that will help secure your business website. But then, getting the best results from these practices depends on how you implement them. It is therefore essential to develop a sound strategy that will help you reap the best results from your website

If you’re looking to build a website for your business, follow these practices to secure it. Otherwise, you may end up losing your business and customer data in case of a breach. If you have an e-commerce site, you could be risking losing a lot of customers and revenue.