Let’s start this article with a few exciting stats contributing to website security in Canada. These statistics apply to every Canadian business out there but should be taken into account regardless of your location on the globe.
Security measures in small businesses can be much more reduced than in prominent companies. It all comes down to budgeting for security and recovery measures.
It’s been found that 93% of data breaches are carried out with the intention of gaining financial benefits. Also, 73% of companies in North America use browsers that are out of date. All these facts seem to play an important role in website security.
Considering these statistics collectively, it’s evident that businesses face multifaceted challenges in safeguarding their digital assets.
Let’s talk about the importance of website security, how it can save your business from bigger headaches, and what it actually means.
- What Is Website Security, and Why Is It Important?
- Common Website Security Threats and Cyber Attacks
- 5 Strong Website Security Measures Your Business Needs [List]
What Is Website Security, and Why Is It Important?
Website security refers to all the measures we take to protect a website from cyber threats and cyber attacks that happen every day in the online world.
These threats can include hacking attempts, malware infections, data breaches or neglected personal security measures, which happen more often than you think. Malware attacks increased by 358% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, showing how crucial website security is, even for small businesses.
The main reason why website security is important is because websites often contain sensitive information such as personal data, financial information, and intellectual property.
If a website isn’t properly secured, it can be vulnerable to attacks that can cause significant damage. Common website security measures include using strong passwords, implementing SSL certificates (Secure Sockets Layer), regularly updating software and plugins, and implementing multi-factor authentication.
Common Website Security Threats and Cyber Attacks
Now, before we talk about how to make your site more secure, we have to mark the most notable website security threats that exist so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Viruses and Malware Attacks
Viruses and malware are among the most prevalent and damaging threats to website security.
These malicious programs are designed to infiltrate websites and systems, often intending to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or gain unauthorized access. Typical forms of malware include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
A common method of infecting a website or system is through email attachments, such as PDFs, that appear to be legitimate offers. Once they get installed on your system, it’s a matter of time before they steal all your login credentials and local data, helping them move to the next step, gaining access to your website.
Sometimes, though, the whole process is done on the website via known vulnerabilities in website code.
Once a website is infected, it can lead to severe consequences such as data breaches, financial loss, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
Preventative measures such as installing robust antivirus software, regularly scanning for malware on your website with the help of plugins, and keeping software up-to-date are essential for mitigating the risk of virus and malware attacks.
Your web hosting provider can offer some of these features in the form of extra security services.
EasyHosting, for instance, has SiteLock, a powerful service that protects your website and business against malicious threats. These may include malware, SQL injection, and other sophisticated techniques used by hackers to steal your customers’ data and damage your business reputation.
All these features can go for as low as $24.99 USD yearly!
SQL Injection
Besides viruses and malware attacks, there are several other common website security threats like SQL injection attacks.
SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to inject malicious code into input fields, such as login forms or search queries.
This injected code can manipulate the database backend, potentially granting unauthorized access to sensitive information or allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS attacks occur when malicious users inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
These scripts can steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or session cookies, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the user.
A way to keep these under control is by regularly updating your website file system and your other security tools and plugins.
Brute Force Attacks
Brute force attacks involve attempting to guess a user’s login credentials by systematically trying different combinations of usernames and passwords until the correct combination is found.
Attacks like these are particularly effective against weak passwords and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks trick users into divulging sensitive information, such as login credentials or credit card details, by impersonating legitimate websites or organizations. These attacks are more common on eCommerce websites and financial institutions but can also occur on regular users.
These attacks often involve fraudulent emails, fake websites, or social engineering tactics designed to deceive users and steal their personal information.
Not Using Strong Passwords
Another significant threat to website security stems from neglecting personal security measures. This includes using weak passwords, reusing passwords across multiple accounts, and sharing login credentials indiscriminately.
Such behaviours make it easier for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to websites and sensitive information. Moreover, failing to implement two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) further exacerbates the vulnerability.
To address this threat, website owners must prioritize strong password policies, educate users on website security best practices, and implement additional layers of authentication to enhance overall security posture.
Software Vulnerabilities
Software and applications often have flaws that developers may not be aware of, making computer systems vulnerable. Cybercriminals take advantage of these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to computer software.
For instance, most applications contain faulty code that can easily be compromised with malware. Attackers might use malicious programs or email attachments to access your websites or computers. As a result, hackers gain access to malicious software by exploiting vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability of software can be caused by older programs and software components.
Outdated Software and Plugins
Outdated software and plugins are common targets for cybercriminals looking to exploit known vulnerabilities.
Website owners must regularly update their software, plugins, and themes to patch security flaws and protect against potential attacks.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
Denial of service (DoS) attacks are a type of cybersecurity threat that occur frequently and can be quite damaging.
These attacks overwhelm websites with excessive traffic, making the site or network unavailable to legitimate website visitors. Since 2010, the size of DDoS attacks has increased dramatically, from 600,000 requests per second to 6 million, according to notable sources.
This exponential growth indicates that DDoS attacks have become cheaper for attackers, making them more prevalent than ever. The same statistics note that the typical cost of a DDoS attack for one hour is $5 USD.
5 Strong Website Security Measures Your Business Needs [List]
This part of our blog will show you how to protect your website and business. This list offers advice for new business owners and people who need to boost their website security and avoid a major security incident.
1. Choose a Secure Web Hosting Plan and SSL Certificate
With shared hosting, your website files are stored on servers alongside hundreds of other websites. But that doesn’t mean a web server like that isn’t secure.
SSL certificates play a critical role in website security by reassuring visitors that the website they’ve reached is safe and secure. These certificates ensure that all transactions are encrypted from end to end, providing website owners and visitors peace of mind.
Reputable web hosting providers like EasyHosting prioritize security, ensuring every possible measure is taken to keep your website safe. You can trust that security is our top priority, carefully considered and well-implemented.
Choose DIY or Do-It-For-Me solutions to have a professionally designed website delivered to you, starting from only $12.99/mo USD.
Choosing a secure web hosting provider is the first step in ensuring you’re on the right track for what comes next.
2. Change Your Passwords Regularly
Change your password regularly to keep the site secure and prevent a bot from guessing the password. Moreover, it helps protect other accounts with identical passwords.
Regarding sensitive information and customer data, taking all necessary precautions to protect your digital assets is crucial. Regularly changing your passwords and implementing security measures such as multi-factor authentication can provide additional protection to your data and prevent a significant security breach.
Here are a few tips to help you with password security:
- Avoid using the same password more than once
- Use password managers with strong encryption to store your information
- Enable two-factor authentication or similar technologies
- Regularly change your passwords, especially your login credentials
- Use uncommon password combinations that aren’t related to you
3. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Using a web application firewall ensures that only authorized traffic accesses your website, especially critical areas like the login screen.
Without proper protection, attackers can easily intercept connections to the login screen and steal credentials. Without multi-factor authentication or similar technologies, attackers could gain access to sensitive company data a lot easier, too.
4. Change the Default CMS Settings
Most CMS software, such as WordPress, comes with default settings covering many features.
These defaults include user access settings, login screen URLs (the notorious wp-admin/login.php), and many other aspects. Customizing these default settings with unique ones is crucial to prevent any unauthorized access by malicious users who could harm your business.
Here are some extra tips on how to change the default settings on WordPress:
- Before you install WordPress, use a unique name for your administrator account
- Hide your WordPress login page with plugins like WPS Hide Login
- Keep your themes and plugins updated
- Keep WordPress to the latest version possible
- Limit login attempts using the WPS Limit Login plugin
5. Web Server Configuration
Taking control of your website server configuration is crucial in improving your site’s security while minimizing security risks altogether. Most web hosts have all the web server configuration files presented with a user-friendly interface for you to change its settings.
For example, setting the permissions on your files and directories to restrict access to sensitive information and prevent unauthorized modification.
Additionally, you can configure your web server to enforce HTTPS encryption, ensuring a secure website.
By taking control of your web server configuration, you can customize website security settings to fit your specific needs and mitigate potential security risks effectively.
Remember to regularly review and update your web server configuration to avoid emerging threats and maintain a secure online environment for your site visitors.
Conclusion
Ensuring your website security is paramount in safeguarding your business against cyber threats and potential security breaches in Canada, and in the neighbouring countries, too.
Our guide isn’t just your typical rundown of website security tips that apply in Canada, but it’s (almost) like having a seasoned security professional right beside you, and anywhere in the world.
The importance of website security cannot be overstated. And this applies to Canada, as well as in other parts of the world. Think data breaches, outdated software vulnerabilities; stuff that can send shivers down your spine if you’re not prepared.
We break down the nitty-gritty of common threats like malware attacks and weak passwords, making sure you’re armed with the know-how to keep the malicious actors at bay.
Our guide is also packed with proactive strategies to beef up your website’s defences. From choosing the right hosting plan to setting up fortress-like password policies, we’ve got you covered.
Because let’s face it: when it comes to website security, it’s about safeguarding your business, your customers, and your reputation. So buckle up, stay vigilant, and let’s make sure your online presence stays strong and secure in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.
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