Websites have become important resources in the running and operation of companies. They are valuable platforms through which businesses and organizations connect with their target audiences. However, as the significant nature of websites continues to come to the fore, it’s imperative to take note of issues related to website security. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cyber-attacks are a major problem that website owners are facing today. The data stored in your website is at risk if you fail to put in place the right website security measures. The good news is that there are proven cyber security measures to help you protect and secure your website. Here are the steps you need to take to keep your website secure:

Ensure that you Back-Up your Website

Now that bot attacks have become a major threat to your company’s website, what should you do to protect your data in the event of a security breach? It’s prudent to back up your website to make it easier to restore your data in case you get attacked. The problem with website attacks is that they leave you with no data to show if you hadn’t backed up your content. This can be a serious problem for your company. If all your files get lost or damaged, you end up losing a big part of your company and it can be massively devastating.

Though backing up your website shouldn’t be an alternative to a website solution, it’s wise for you to recover damaged or lost files in the event of an attack. The website security aspect here is that you won’t have to start from scratch if you get attacked. Imagine what will happen if you lose all your clients’ data. Your company will end up suffering heavy losses. Therefore, it is important for you to back up your website to keep your valuable data secure.

Update Software and Plugins

Don’t use outdated software. The use of outdated software makes your website vulnerable to attacks. Hackers know that this is one of the ways through which they can get access to a website. Therefore, in order to avoid cases of a website security breach, you should ensure that you update plugins and software on a regular basis. Updates are what you need for your website to remain healthy. The more you use updated software, the harder it is for hackers to penetrate through your website.

Experts insist on the use of updates because they have security enhancements and are able to repair vulnerabilities. Some plugins and software have the possibility of automatic updates, which increases the capacity of website security. Don’t wait any longer if you want your website to remain secure and healthy. It’s the high time you invested in the software and plugin updates.

Use Secure Passwords

The use of secure passwords is also a security measure you have to put into consideration for your website to be secure. The passwords you use can be the pathway through which attackers use to gain access to your platform. Time without number, there have been cases of companies who have complained of security breaches on their websites. Hackers know that if they can manage to hack the password combinations of platforms, they can get what they want.

It’s for this reason that you have to make sure that you use strong passwords to protect and secure your website. If you use weak passwords, you’re exposing your website to malicious attacks. There are ways of making sure that your passwords are strong and secure. One of the best practices for secure passwords is not using your password multiple times. You should have unique passwords to make it difficult for malicious actions to succeed. Also, make sure that you use longer passwords. Normally, the longer the password, the harder it is for a hacker to crack it.

Of great importance still, use random passwords. This makes it difficult for computer programs to know your password. Don’t use a pattern that’s easy to crack. In this respect, ensure that your team or employees change passwords regularly. This, too, will make it hard for your website security to get compromised.

Make sure that your Web Host is Secure

Finding the right web host is also an important step towards maximizing the security of your website. Your site’s host carries a great deal of significance in reference to website security. Not all web hosts out there are secure enough to keep your website secure and effectively protected. As you look for a web host, make sure that you settle for one that offers strong server security. Here are some of the things you should look out for when choosing a website host:

· Are there website backup services?

· Does the host offer security upgrades?

· Is there a Secure File Transfer Protocol?

Make sure that the website host you choose has the qualities you need to keep your website secure.

Make Use of a Web Application Firewall

A web application firewall plays a pivotal role in protecting your site from potential malicious activities. The advantage of using the firewall is that it checks the data that gets into your website to make sure it’s safe. It sieves data to protect your website from bot traffic that can compromise your website’s security. Through this, you’re certain that any attempt to attack your site will get blocked by the web application firewall. Use this measure to further tighten the security of your website.

As a brand that wants to remain relevant for a long time, you have to put effort to keep your website secure. You need more than just setting up a website. You have to regularly maintain its safety. It is necessary for you to put in place measures of protecting your brand’s data and customer information. The information contained in your website should always be in the right hands, and that’s why you should take website security very seriously at all times.