We constantly hear about major data breaches and hacks in the news, yet so little is reported on attacks on small business and personal websites. So much so that you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking no one would ever hack or attack your website — until it happens. Whether to set up relays for email spam, host illegal files, or just wreak havoc, there are plenty of reasons why hackers target small websites. With all the hard work and money you’ve put into your site, you wouldn’t want to see it all go to waste after a single, targeted attack. So, to help ensure your site doesn’t fall victim to hackers, here are 4 simple tips to help you protect your website.

Use a Secure Username & Password

We all know that we should use complex, hard to detect passwords, but how often do we? As tempting as it may be to go with a simple password or use the same password you use for every other site, guessing site usernames and passwords is still the most common way hackers gain access to websites. Avoid making common mistakes like using your partner or pet’s name and create a unique username whenever possible. If, like many, your main argument against using a complex, unique password is having to remember dozens of passwords for dozens of accounts, consider using a password manager like LastPass.

Secure Your Site with an SSL Certificate

SSL Certificates are not just for eCommerce sites anymore. Using an SSL Certificate has become a standard in web design and hosting nowadays and browsers like Google Chrome even warn users whenever sites aren’t secured with SSL. Moreover, not using an SSL Certificate could even cost you precious search engine rankings! User trust and search engine rankings aside, however, using an SSL certificate ensures that connections between users and your site are secure and that information can’t be intercepted. Fortunately, installing an SSL Certificate is nowhere near as complicated as it used to be, and web hosting providers often sell them for as little as a few dollars. There’s simply no reason not to use an SSL certificate in 2020.    

Keep Your Website Platform and Software up to Date

Hackers are constantly on the lookout for security vulnerabilities, poring endlessly over freely available code looking for weaknesses to exploit. Thankfully, website platforms and software companies are well aware of this and are constantly releasing new updates and patches to address such vulnerabilities. Keeping your website platform and software up to date is especially important if you use a CMS platform. As convenient as they may be, CMS platforms, plugins, and extensions are particularly vulnerable to being exploited by opportunistic hackers. Luckily, platforms like WordPress are pretty quick at letting you know when new patches or updates for the platform, plugins, or extensions are released.

Subscribe to a Website Maintenance Package

No matter what you do, your website will always be at risk of being targeted by hackers. In addition to the above, other steps you can take to protect your website from hackers include installing specialized security plugins and regularly backing up your site. If you’re not able or willing to constantly monitor and tend to your site, your best bet is to subscribe to a website maintenance package offered by a reputable web hosting provider.

Dedicated maintenance packages are the only way you can rest assured your website is constantly monitored by professionals and kept secure using the latest industry practices. What’s more, it ensures your website is quickly restored and cleaned in the unfortunate event it gets hacked. Reach out to Begin with B today to find out how our ongoing, reliable, and affordable website maintenance solutions can help ensure your website is protected from hackers at all times.