Security · 18 Sep 2021 · 2 min read

How to secure and protect your website

Many business owners assume there’s nothing on their website worth hacking. That assumption is exactly how most sites get compromised. Most breaches aren’t about stealing your data — they’re about hijacking your server to send spam email or host illegal files. Hacking is usually done by automated scripts hunting for known security flaws, which is why protecting a website is worth taking seriously regardless of its size.

Here are seven ways to help secure and protect your website.

Use strong passwords

Weak passwords — a birth date, a name, a phone number — are trivial for automated scripts to crack. Use complex passwords with a mix of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters, at least ten characters long, and apply the same policy across your organisation.

Keep software up to date

Outdated scripts, plugins, and platforms are one of the most common ways hackers find a way in. Update every piece of software you run, not just the ones that prompt you to.

Use SSL on any page handling login credentials or sensitive data. Encryption makes intercepted information meaningless to anyone who doesn’t hold the key — which is why HTTPS matters well beyond search rankings.

Choose a secure host

A reputable hosting provider actively monitors for threats, backs up your data to a separate secure server so you can restore quickly after an incident, and offers real support when something goes wrong. Around-the-clock technical support is worth prioritising when comparing hosts.

Keep the website clean

Every unused plugin, file, or database on a website is a potential entry point. Remove what you’re not using, and keep an organised file structure so you can track changes and clean up old files easily.

Run regular security scans

Scan for vulnerabilities on a set schedule, and again after any significant change to the site. Free scanning tools are fine for a quick check but won’t catch everything — a proper security audit needs a professional review.

Hire a security expert when it counts

Some fixes are simple enough to handle yourself. Others need a professional who can scan continuously, monitor for malicious activity, and audit the site properly.

Conclusion

Protecting a website isn’t a one-time setup — it’s an ongoing habit. A single overlooked flaw is enough to cause a serious breach, so treat these checks as routine, not optional.