3 Ways to Protect Your Website From Today's Most Common Security Threats

tl;dr

• Strengthen Passwords: Use strong, complex passwords and enforce regular updates.
• Manage User Roles: Apply the rule of least privilege to limit admin access.
• Update Software Regularly: Ensure all security patches are installed.
• Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of login security.
• Enable SSL and Firewalls: Protect data and block potential threats.
• Employ a CDN: Prevent denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and enhance site performance.
• Backups and Recovery Plans: Regularly backup data and prepare for quick recovery in case of breaches.

Understanding the Cybersecurity Landscape

If your business relies on its website for revenue or customer interaction, then security is non-negotiable. According to cybersecurity data, Amazon faces nearly 1 billion cyber threats daily, while financial institutions like Chase experience 50 million attacks each day (1). Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often believe they're less at risk than larger businesses. However, hackers frequently target SMBs to exploit visitors or misuse server resources, creating financial and reputational damage (2).

As Kevin Goldberg, CEO and Founder of iS2 Digital, warns, "Statistically speaking, your website will be attacked this year, and if the attack is successful, it will result in lost revenue, wasted time, and brand damage.";

However, there are three steps you can take right now to help protect your business from some of today's most common security threats.

#1 - Strengthen Passwords and User Management

Use Strong Passwords
Password management is often overlooked, but it is critical to protecting your organization. A strong password is your first line of defense. As well, you must enforce password updates every three to six months for added security (3).

Goldberg emphasizes, "What we're looking for in terms of password strength is 8-10-12 characters, upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters."

Implement the Rule of Least Privilege
Not everyone in your organization needs full access to your website or other digital tools and assets. Limit user access based on necessity.

Goldberg explains, "There's a concept in user management called the Rule of Least Privilege. It states that you should give your users the least amount of access necessary to administer your website -- and then only add access on an as-needed basis."

The rule of least privilege ensures users only have access to the tools they need, minimizing potential vulnerabilities. Review user roles frequently and restrict administrative access to essential personnel only.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enhance login security by requiring a second authentication factor, such as a text message or app-based code. This simple addition can significantly reduce unauthorized access risks.

#2 - Keep Software and Infrastructure Updated

Regularly Apply Security Patches
Outdated software is a major vulnerability. Platforms like WordPress and Drupal release regular updates to fix security flaws. Applying these patches promptly can prevent hackers from exploiting known weaknesses (4).

Secure Your Server with SSL and Firewalls
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates encrypt data and are essential for protecting your visitors. Additionally, implement a server firewall and a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block malicious traffic before it reaches your website.

Leverage a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN provides additional protection by preventing DoS attacks through rate-limiting software. CDNs also improve website performance by distributing content globally, ensuring faster load times and enhanced security (5).

Goldberg explains, "A CDN, or content delivery network, sits in front of your website and server and really help to prevent DoS attacks. Many CDNs also include SSL and a web application firewall (WAF)."

#3 - Prepare for the Worst: Backup and Recovery Plans

Establish a Backup Routine
Goldberg advises, "The first and most important thing to do is to make sure your website is automatically backed up." He elaborates, "A typical retention policy looks like this: You'll have daily backups, which you'll keep for seven days, as well as weekly backups for four weeks, and monthly backups for 3, 6, 9, even 12 months."

This ensures you can recover your site quickly and minimize downtime in case of a breach.

Develop a Recovery Plan
A clear recovery plan includes:

1. Lockdown: Quarantine your site, inform your hosting provider, and reset all passwords.
2. Cleanup: Assess damage and hopefully restore from backups. Use malware scanners to verify the site's integrity.
3. Post-Response: Address reputational damage, resolve legal obligations, and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

Bonus Tips for Cost-Effective Security

Use Free and Open-Source Tools
Platforms like Drupal and WordPress offer security modules such as Security Review and WordFence to enhance your site's defenses.

Stay Informed
Subscribe to trusted cybersecurity blogs like Krebs on Security or ThreatPost to stay ahead of emerging threats. As well, you should keep up with data privacy regulations, especially if you operate in jurisdictions with stringent policies like GDPR in the EU or CCPA in California (6).

Leverage Third-Party Hosting Providers
If you're using platforms like Wix, Shopify, or WordPress, ensure they offer built-in security features like SSL, firewalls, and CDN support. These integrations often save costs and simplify the implementation process.

Final Notes
Website security isn't a one-time task—it requires continuous attention. Implementing strong passwords, updating software, and preparing for breaches can protect your business and customers from significant harm. Remember, proactive measures are always more cost-effective than dealing with the fallout of an attack.

As Goldberg concludes, "Website security is critical, and it's not a set-it-and-forget-it type of solution. It requires continuous attention to mitigate the risks of being hacked."

For any website security support needs and more, contact us.

References

1. Federal Government Cybersecurity Incident and Vulnerability Response Playbooks
2. The AI Effect: Amazon Sees Nearly 1 Billion Cyber Threats a Day
3. Cybersecurity Statistics 2024
4. Github: Security Advisories for Open Source Platforms
5. CDN Benefits and DoS Protection Features
6. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and State-Specific Data Privacy Laws