Over the last few years, there’s been a steady rise in the rate of cybercrime, resulting in many websites and e-commerce businesses losing valuable data. This has resulted in numerous compromised databases from which consumers’ credit card information and credentials have been stolen.

According to a Business Insider, 16 well-known retailers had their data stolen from cyber-attacks in 2017 and include names such as Macy’s, Sears, and Adidas. The fact that such large-scale organizations can be infiltrated so easily further highlights the need to secure your website.

In this blog, we take a look at 3 simple and effective ways to boost your website’s security.

Make Use of a Password Manager

According to findings reported by Wired, relying on your web browser’s auto-fill function for login and password details makes you highly susceptible to data theft from third-party websites. It’s more dangerous if you rely on a single password for multiple logins as scripts from third-party websites record such passwords and can then easily access your profiles.

The solution isn’t to create long and complex passwords that you have to write down in a notebook. Instead, password managers like 1Password and LastPass generate random passwords for each website and profile. They also encrypt each password and store the details.

Another important security measure is to restrict administrative access to only a few select individuals. A large number of people with access to the website’s back door increase the risk of a data breach. Even trusted employees can make mistakes that jeopardize the website’s security.

Create Data Backups

Although your website’s hosting company most likely creates routine backups, business websites require additional backup options. An effective backup plan fulfills the following conditions:

• Backups have to be built off-site and not on your website’s server, otherwise, they become vulnerable to attacks.
• Routine backups should be done automatically in case someone forgets to create one manually.
• Ensure you can reliably recover the data. This means testing the recovery process a couple of times and creating multiple backup storages.

Perform Routine Updates

The majority of successful cyber-attack cases involved in outdated website software. More often than not, website owners ignore update notifications only to have their and their customers’ personal data stolen a couple of months later.

Outdated software, themes, and plug-ins not only result in a slow website but also create weak spots through which hackers can easily penetrate.

Additional security measures include installing SSL, configuring server files, changing the default CMS settings, and protecting against XSS attacks.

EX² Outcoding provides quality nearshore web development services that provide a strong foundation for your website against all forms of cybersecurity threats. Contact us today for more information.