The internet is more or less a "free to all platform" where people have access to necessary information. However, this does not remove the importance of privacy as regards people's information. If you are operating an eCommerce website where you deal with sensitive information, you will understand that it takes more than Woocommerce SMS Notification or Woocommerce mix and match plugins to keep your customers happy.
7 Ways to Make Your Website More Secure
Even if you are not running an eCommerce website, security is still important. You should avoid a hack like you would avoid a break in at your brick and mortar office. Here are 7 Ways to Make Your Website More Secure.
Install a SSL Certificate
The information on your website is stored on a server. Whenever web users access the information, it travels from the server to your website. Whenever you post information, it travels back to the server. Never mind my illustration, it happens within seconds. While this transmission is ongoing, it will be easy for a third party to intrude and tap into the information.
To prevent this from happening, install the SSL certificate on your website. This will provide end to end encryption for your website by encrypting the information as it travels between the website and the server. A website with a SSL certificate has HTTPS instead of just HTTP at the beginning of its URL. This implies that no third party can intrude on the information as it travels between the website and the server.
Ensure Your Antivirus Software is Up to Date
This is very important for people who allow web users upload files to their websites. While most websites no longer allow it, there are still some websites that require web users to upload files. Files are one of the mediums through which virus is transmitted.
If the operation of your website involves web users uploading files tp your website, it will be in your best interest to protect your website with an antivirus software. However, hackers are discovering new ways to hack. To combat this, you have to continuously update the antivirus software.
Regularly Scan Your Website for any Irregularities
There are many ways through which hackers can get access to your website. Some hacks are progressive. The virus is programmed to stay dormant till it has duplicated enough to cause damage. This is why you have to always check for something unusual. Scanning your website regularly is a good way to easily identify something that is out of place in your website.
Early discovery will help you remove the virus before it can cause damage. Regular website scanning will also help you discover areas where you seem vulnerable.
Maintain a Password Security Policy
Sometimes, individuals make it easy for them to be hacked. Hacking may not be totally impossible, however, web operators sometimes make it too easy for hackers. Using common passwords, simple passwords or passwords that relates to you is a shot in the leg. The hacker may not even need a gadget to crack it open.
Always use strong passwords that combine alphabets, numbers and digits. A password manager is also helpful. It can even make it possible for you to regularly change your password. Also, the amount of people who have access to certain information should reduce as the hierarchy goes down. The less people know, the lower the chances of a hack.
Ensure a Secure Web Hosting Service Provider
The server is like a data bank and your host is the vault. The more secure the vault, the better your assurance of the safety of your information. Anything otherwise and your information is not safe. As you will not trust a bank whose vault is not secure, you should not allow a host that is not secure hold your data.
Your web host should ensure that your data is secure. It should also ensure yo backup your data to a remote server.
Backup Your Data Regularly
Your website host should not be the only one backing up your data. Some hacks are not aimed at stealing information, they want to destroy information. There was once a hack where the hacker permanently deleted all the emails on the website. This is not impossible but it should not spell doom for your website.
Backup your website on a regular basis to ensure that you have a copy of the information. This can also help you if you want to change your web host as well.
Get an Expert or Outsource Security Duties
IT work is tasking and I am not going to make it seem like a stroll in the park. It is a dedicated and conscious effort. If you cannot "effectively" do it on a "regular" basis, it is important that you either outsource these duties or hire someone to do it for you.