Did you know that Google identifies about 10,000 sites infected with malware, of which almost half of them are compromised by hackers? Although it is widely believed that large companies are the primary targets of cybercrime, small business websites are at the highest risk of being hacked because they often do not invest as much in hardening their security systems as large brands would.
Unfortunately, most victims notice the attacks at the same time that their visitors start picking up danger warnings from search engines and browsers. Now that is too late as their websites have already been blacklisted by then. The rigorous recovery task consists of cleaning all the links, rebuilding the server and updating the content management software. Even after all these measures, there is no guarantee that search engines will remove the warning message. What is the way out? Well, how about taking a leaf out of what Grandpa has always been saying? Prevention is better than cure. Don’t waste time and make sure your website security is at its optimal level. Here are five ways you can prevent your website from being hacked:
Use strong passwords and keep them safe
You always knew, but you never bothered to take it seriously, did you? Expert hackers already know the common, default, and predictable passwords. Avoid using obvious passwords that contain your name, phone number, company address, or dates of birth. An antivirus plugin can also be helpful in protecting your site from virus attacks and thus preventing hackers from stealing passwords and planting malware.
Update CMS to its latest version
Every time a content management system (CMS) releases a new update, it contains security improvements, even in the smallest amount. Older versions of a CMS, especially WordPress, are prone to extremely invasive attacks. Therefore, the safest remedy is to update the CMS every time the developers release a new version. You should also prevent hackers from knowing the latest version of your CMS. Check out your webmasters, the guys who maintain your website, and remove the relevant link showing the version.
Sign up with Google Webmaster Tools
Once a website is deemed malicious and blacklisted, the flow of daily traffic naturally slows down. If you are registered with Google Webmaster Tools, it will notify you the moment there is a malware infection. This will make it easier to get rid of the threat before blacklisting occurs.
Install ad management plugins to protect AdSense
Ads are a great source of income, but they are also prone to attack. Some common hacking attacks are click bombing to overcharge and close an AdSense account, and exchanging “real” ads for something irrelevant. Dig deep and discover the best performing security plugins that can control the display of your ads.
Apply encryption to protect your data
To prevent interception of data during a transmission, be sure to use an encryption technique such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Talk to your webmasters to find out the most suitable encryption for your website. Once you’re done, ask them to set up the appropriate encryption.
Above all, use an authorized security service provider for the website. A reputable company performs daily checks and cleans websites with its blacklist and malware removal tools. Stay vigilant and take the best possible security measure because hackers are always on the prowl, 24/7.
