Keeping Your Website Safe From The Threat of Online Attacks

Kia ora e te whānau, our blog topic today, covers a critical yet often overlooked aspect of owning a website: security!

Today’s online world is all hustle and bustle, and sadly, there’s way more hustle than any of us would like. Unfortunately, hackers and bots actively cruise the internet to hunt for their prey. What are they looking for? Websites that have failed to prioritise, update or install a security system. We get it! Website security is a complex kōrero (conversation), but it's crucial for protecting your data, your customers, and your reputation. 

So, let’s ditch the complexity and share our 20 top tips to ensure your site’s security gives those online villains no choice but to pass right by.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that some of the information below only applies to WordPress and self-hosted websites. The update and backup functions on platforms like WebFlow, SquareSpace or Wix occur automatically. Because we make it our business to have your back, we’ve split the information into two sections, allowing you busy entrepreneurs to grab what you need and get back to your mahi.

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Security Information for Everyone

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1. Use Strong Passwords

Make sure your passwords are more complicated than just ‘password123’ or ‘sweetas’. Be more cryptic and include a mix of letters, symbols and numbers. Oh, and be sure to store those passwords somewhere safe. Somewhere like Last Pass is a great option.

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‍2. SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate encrypts data, making your website safer for visitors.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It acts as a protective shield for your digital whare and has two essential functions:

• Encryption: Your SSL cert scrambles data sent between the visitor's browser and your website, ensuring only the intended recipient can understand it. 
• Authentication: It verifies that your website is legit and not some imposter trying to trick people. It's like showing a badge that proves you're an official representative of the event you're organising, not someone just pretending to be.

That padlock icon next to your website's URL makes visitors feel better about visiting and sharing personal info. Plus, Google loves SSL certificates, favouring secure websites in search rankings. If you’re selling stuff online, an SSL certificate is non-negotiable. 

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3. Limit Login Attempts

Limiting login attempts is like employing a Bouncer to guard your website’s entrance; it prevents any undesirable guests from entering. There are plenty of reliable plugins you can use for this. For WordPress sites, we recommend Wordfence and Sucuri.

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4. Monitor Your Site

Keep an eye on your site like a hawk. Use performance and uptime monitoring tools to spot any funny business like your website going offline, running slow, or broken web pages. Regular scans ensure your website is humming around the clock!

We recommend UptimeRobot as a reliable monitoring service.

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5. Use a Firewall‍

A firewall is a critical line of defence for any network: a personal computer, a website, or an entire corporate network.

‍What do firewalls do?

• Filter traffic
• Blocks unauthorised access
• Monitor network traffic
• Supports Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections

We recommend Wordfence as a reliable firewall application.

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6. Secure File Permissions‍

File permissions set specific rules about who can enter certain rooms and access various content within your digital whare. 

Imagine your website or server as a house. This house has different rooms or, in the case of your website, files and directories. Now imagine each room has a set of rules (permissions) about who can enter for a kōrero, who can move the furniture around, and who can redecorate it entirely. It's all about keeping the place secure and ensuring only whānau (authorised users) you trust can do certain things. Secure file permissions ensure your digital whare stays safe and sound, preventing unwanted guests from entertaining and causing chaos. 

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7. Install and Regularly Update Anti-Malware Software‍

Keep anti-malware software updated to fend off the internet’s equivalent of the common cold.

Malware, short for malicious software, is a broad term that encompasses various types of software designed with malicious intent, crafted by cybercriminals to infiltrate, damage, or take control of your computer system without your consent. 

We recommend Wordfence as reliable malware software.

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8. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)‍

2FA, or Two-Factor Authentication, is like having a double lock on your website’s front door. It adds an extra layer of security when accessing your online accounts, making it much harder for the baddies to break in. Usually, you'd enter your username and password (that's one factor), but with 2FA, you also need to provide a second piece of evidence (the second factor) that you are who you say you are. This second factor could be something you know, something you have, or something you are.

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9. Use Virtual Private Networks (VPN)‍

VPNs create a private pathway for your data to travel securely from your device to another network over the internet, shielding your information from prying eyes.

When you connect to a VPN, it encrypts your data before it leaves your device. This encrypted data then travels securely to a VPN server, is decrypted and sent to its final destination. If anyone tries to intercept your data along the way, all they'll see is indecipherable gibberish.

‍Why are VPNs Important?

• Privacy protection
• Security on public Wi-Fi
• Safe remote access
• Enhanced online anonymity

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10. Educate Your Team

Educating your team about website security is about building a culture of security awareness so everyone understands their role in protecting your organisation's digital assets. 

‍Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

• Hold regular training sessions
• Implement a clear security policy
• Promote strong password practices
• Simulate phishing attacks
• Encourage open communication
• Keep software and knowledge up to date
• Teach data handling best practices
• Leverage real-life incidents
• Provide security tools training
• Reward vigilance

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11. Regular Security Audits‍

Security audits are comprehensive evaluations designed to systematically examine your organisation's information security measures, policies, and controls to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations. 

‍A security audit aims to:

• Identify vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing security measures.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Recommend improvements to enhance security and reduce the risk of future breaches.

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12. Dispose of Unused Plugins/Themes‍

Disposing unused plugins on your website lightens the load, simplifies management and reduces the risk of something going

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13. Implement HTTP Security Headers‍

HTTP security headers instruct browsers on how to behave when handling your site's content, adding an extra layer of protection against common cyber threats. 

An example of an HTTP security header is the Content-Security-Policy (CSP) header. This powerful header helps prevent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and data injection attacks, among the most common threats to web security.

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14. Stay Informed‍

In today's cyber landscape, threats such as hacking, phishing, and malware evolve as quickly as the technologies designed to thwart them. By keeping abreast of the latest security trends, vulnerabilities, and protective measures, you arm yourself with the knowledge required to adapt and reinforce your defences accordingly.

Understanding the current security challenges and how to address them protects your website from potential breaches and data loss and safeguards your visitors' trust. A secure website fosters a safe space for users to interact, transact, and engage with your content. Moreover, it upholds your mana by demonstrating a commitment to privacy and data protection.

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WordPress and Self-Hosted Websites Only

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15. Regular Updates‍

Keep your website’s core, themes, and plugins up-to-date. It’s like checking the smoke alarms – a must-do for safety. 

Scratching your head wondering what core, themes and plugins are? We got you!

• Core: The core refers to the fundamental software that runs your website. It's your website’s primary structure. The core provides the basic functionalities and features needed to create, manage, and publish content on the web.
• Themes: Themes are all about your site’s look and feel. They're like a costume for your website, dictating how it presents to the world. A theme controls the design aspects like layout, colour schemes, font styles, and other visual elements.
• Plugins: Plugins allow you to extend and customise your website's capabilities beyond what the core and theme offer, making it possible to tailor your site precisely to your needs and the needs of your audience. Think, contact forms, image galleries, linked social media icons, Google review buttons, etc.

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16 Choose a Secure Host‍

Pick a hosting provider like you’d select a rugby team – go for strength, reliability, and good defence.

Why is this important?

• A guard against cyber threats: A secure host is equipped with robust security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular malware scans to fend off threats, ensuring your website is unharmed.
• Ensures data integrity and privacy: Your website handles sensitive data, like your client's personal information or proprietary business details. A secure host employs encryption methods, such as SSL certificates, to ensure that data transferred between your website and its visitors is inaccessible to prying eyes.

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17. Backup Regularly‍

Backing up your website is like wearing a seatbelt; it's a crucial safety measure.

Why is this important?

• Protect against data loss: The digital world is fraught with risks that can lead to data loss; this could be due to server failures, hacking, malware infections, or even accidental deletion. Regular backups act as a safety net, ensuring that even if your website's data is lost or corrupted, you can restore it and get back to business without significant downtime.
• Ensure a quick recovery from cyber attacks: Cyber attacks, like hacking or malware infections, are the digital equivalent of an earthquake. They can damage your website, compromise sensitive information, and disrupt your operations. Performing regular backups allows you to restore your website to its pre-attack state without losing critical data.
• Ease of website migration: Moving your website to a new host or server can be risky, with the potential for data loss. Regular backups ensure you have a complete copy of your website, making the migration process smoother and safer, with minimal risk of losing vital content or functionality.
• Version control: Regular backups can also serve as a version control system, allowing you to revert to an earlier version of your website if needed. 
• Compliance and legal protection: Regular backups are often part of legal and regulatory requirements. They ensure that you maintain continuity and protect customer information even in the face of data loss incidents. 

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18. Install Security Plugins‍

Security plugins shield your website from online threats and ensure your website visitor's safety. 

What do security plugins do?

• Malware scanning: Security plugins constantly patrol your website, scanning for malware and other malicious software. If malware is detected, the plugin can alert you and, in many cases, help remove the infection, keeping your site clean and functional.
• Firewall Protection: They establish a protective barrier around your website, acting as a firewall that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic, filtering out malicious traffic and attempts to breach your website's defences, blocking hackers and automated attacks before they can cause harm.
• Brute force attack prevention: A brute force attack is when someone tries to gain access to your site by guessing your password repeatedly. Security plugins can detect and block these relentless attempts, often by limiting login attempts from a single IP address and requiring CAPTCHA verification, ensuring that only authorised users can access your site's backend.
• Spam protection: Security plugins also guard against spam. They can filter out spam comments and messages, keeping your site's comment sections and contact forms clean and relevant. 
• SSL enforcement: Security plugins can ensure the correct implementation of SSL certificates and that all connections to your site are secure, establishing trust with your visitors.
• Database security: Your website's database is a treasure trove of information. Security plugins can protect it by limiting access, encrypting sensitive data, and preventing attacks that try to manipulate your database through malicious code.

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19. Avoid Nulled Themes/Plugins‍

Nulled themes and plugins are pirated versions of premium themes or plugins. They are distributed for free (or sometimes even sold) on shady websites. Think of them as the knock-off versions of your favourite tech tool: they might look the same on the surface, but they're not the real deal.

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20. Hide Admin Pages‍

Hiding your admin pages is a crucial aspect of website security because it adds an extra layer of obscurity, making it harder for potential attackers to find and exploit the control centre of your website.

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Ka pai, team, that's us done and dusted! 

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Top-line takeaway: make safety and security a top priority to secure your website from the digital version of a sneaky sidestep!

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Flick us a message if you need a hand or to have kōrero about keeping your site safe. We're here to help you navigate the tricky waters of website security. 

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