Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new threats emerging regularly.

Having a secure online presence is essential for businesses and individuals who collect user information. Although larger, well-known companies tend to be prime targets for cyberattacks, small and medium-sized organizations, as well as individuals, are also at risk. Every website is vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches, whether it’s a small blog, a large e-commerce platform, or anything in between.

Staying informed about vulnerabilities and attack methods can help website owners take proactive measures and demonstrate a commitment to safety. Common threats to data security include viruses, phishing scams, hardware and software vulnerabilities, and network security gaps. By understanding these risks in advance, website owners can better protect their users’ information.

Here are tips that a site owner can use to improve a website’s security and protect their users.

1. Use HTTPS

Web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, communicate with websites using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or HTTP. HTTP is acceptable if the website doesn’t require personal information to access, such as a site that offers an article to read or shares weather information.

The secure version of HTTP is HTTPS. Websites that use HTTPS encrypt all communication between a browser and the site. Sites without HTTPS are not safe and should never be used to handle personal data.

2. Software updates

If a website uses a content management system like WordPress, it’s essential to deploy official updates for plugins and themes to address any security vulnerabilities.

WordPress can be set to update as soon as a new version is available, or the software can be updated manually.

3. Conduct backups

Site owners should regularly back up their site data to ensure a quick restoration in case of a security breach or data loss.

There are many ways to complete this task, such as conducting a manual backup, hiring a reliable third party, or purchasing software to automate it daily, weekly, or hourly, depending on a site owner’s budget and preferred schedule.

4. Monitor and analyze website traffic

Website owners should conduct regular security scans to identify and fix vulnerabilities before attackers have a chance to exploit them.

It’s also important to monitor website traffic for any unusual activity, as this could indicate a hacking attempt or a security breach.

5. Implement strong passwords

Use complex passwords for all accounts associated with a website. Complex passwords have at least eight characters and include a combination of numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and special characters.

One creative way to create complex passwords is to use song titles. For example, Arctic Monkeys’ “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” is 2 minutes and 41 seconds long. Breaking it down might become “AmWyocMwYh241.”

6. Use two-factor authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security, requiring a second form of verification in addition to passwords.

A website might require text message verification or use a randomly generated numeric code from an external authenticator app.

7. Limit user access

Grant administrative privileges to trustworthy individuals and limit user access based on their role to minimize potential risks. Choosing reputable security tools tailored to a website’s platform enhances defenses and reduces vulnerability risks.

One option is a firewall. A firewall acts like a security guard, preventing unauthorized people or programs from accessing specific networks or computers from the internet. Installing a web application firewall, or WAF, and software-specific security plugins can help filter malicious traffic and block attacks.

8. Educate users

Inform users about potential security threats, such as phishing emails, and how to protect themselves while using the site. A phishing email will try to trick users into providing confidential data to steal money or information.

This email was successfully marked as spam, and there are several clues as to why it was in the provided screenshot.

For example, info@writeropolis.com is not a valid email address associated with Writeropolis Media. Also, the sender’s alleged email domain is not a domain typically associated with a human. Furthermore, the receiver wasn’t expecting an email from “Charlotte,” nor was the email addressed to a specific person. On top of that, the URL is potentially sending whomever clicks on it to an unsafe website.