Web security is one thing we take for granted. Ideally, you’ll never notice web security systems at work, because if you do, that means there’s been a breach. Over the decades, online security technology and methodologies have grown quite complex.
Nowadays, it’s very rare for your website to be hacked unless you disregard the most basic security measures that block unwanted viruses, spam, and malware from infiltrating your online privacy. But let’s say you’re creating a new website on WordPress and are wondering how you can further make it invulnerable to breaches. We’ve got a few tips that will ensure your website is always protected from possible break-ins.
Don’t Gloss Over Security Checkups
One of the essential steps of web security is to never skimp on the vulnerability monitoring of your website. WordPress has tons of great security software that can sift through your site and look for any cracks in the wall that are vulnerable to being breached. Regular monitoring ensures you can quickly locate weak spots and patch them as soon as possible.
This approach is a more proactive way to keep your website safe. Don’t wait for someone to break in before you do a security checkup. Schedule regular security monitoring and ensure your website is always safe and secure.
Keep Track of Admins Accounts
You could be the most cautious website owner, with Pentagon-level security protocols, and tons of other measures that ensure your account cannot be broken into. But one of the biggest vulnerabilities and easiest entry points for hackers is through admin accounts. Once an outsider has access to an admin account, there’s no telling what they’re capable of. This tends to happen when web owners lose track of other admin accounts dispersed throughout the team.
If you’re working with a team of other web developers, make sure that you keep a close eye on admin accounts or simply keep one admin account and give temporary access to admin-level functions when necessary. This approach ensures that no administrator account goes unsupervised. It is also highly advisable to delete accounts that are no longer in use. Keep your WordPress website updated with all the right web admin and editor clearances.
Multi-Factor Authorization Is a Must
Ask any web security specialist why MFA is important and they’re sure to give you a very long and detailed answer; multi-factor authorization is a simple but effective form of security that is very easy to incorporate into your website.
There are tons of MFA options to choose from that are user-friendly, so you don’t risk alienating less tech-savvy users. There are a ton of methods to choose from, such as email verification, mobile app authorization, and plenty of others that work in tandem with passwords to strengthen security.
Better Passwords
Speaking of passwords, we still live in an age where many users prefer the ease of typing ”1234” over their own online security. To prevent the creation of weak passwords, make the password requirements on your website as strict as possible.
Strong passwords make a huge difference in web security; enforcing password strength results in more secure accounts, both for users and developers.
Private Clouds
If you’re looking for greater control over your website’s security measures, private cloud hosting is a great option. Cloud security is incredibly hard to break through and requires a lot of time to crack open. And by then you will have already ironed out the weaknesses in your security, making their attempts to breach even more futile.
While private clouds do tend to be more expensive than other security options, they are worth the price. The virtual machine creates additional security measures that guarantee your website’s, users’, and development team’s online safety.
Avoid Unknown Plugins
As enticing as some third-party plugins and themes may seem, it’s best to avoid integrating them into your website. In all fairness, just because some of these add-ons come from lesser-known marketplaces doesn’t automatically mean that they are a security hazard. But at the same time, there’s no telling how even a simple web page template may impact the security of your website and leave it vulnerable to attacks.
It’s best to trust plugins, themes, templates, and other add-ons from more popular websites that have a reputation that web developers trust. WordPress’ certified plugins are safe to work with and there’s a metric ton to choose from. So, if you find a plugin from a marketplace that you don’t believe is safe to integrate into your website, find a more secure alternative on WordPress or other equally-trusted hubs.
Backups
Let’s think about another proactive step into the security of your website and subsequently your business. Even the most secure websites have their vulnerabilities — there are no websites that are 100% secure. While there is no foolproof way to secure your website, it also doesn’t mean you should let the whole ship sink at the first sign of trouble.
Your web server should back up your data regularly. Check to see how often your server completes this task. If you fear that your website is not as secure as you’d like it to be, back it up daily. If a breach does occur, you can revert to the previous day’s backup and not lose a large chunk of data.
Be Mindful and Prioritize Security
Even if you utilize the most advanced security software, it’s important to be mindful of your website’s security no matter what. Breaches even in the most complex security systems occur as a result of complacency and forgetfulness.
A slip-up or two may happen once in a while, but one major breach risks leaking a huge amount of private information and valuable client data into the hands of unknown assailants. By always staying mindful and prioritizing security, you can ensure that your website is as safe as it can get.