Websites are often attacked in a variety of methods. That is why every website owner must continue to make an effort to improve their website's security. As a result, hackers are constantly targeting vulnerable websites every few seconds. That is, if you are not focused on important cybersecurity programs, you risk falling victim to hackers' traps. 

This article will walk you through 10 steps to improve your website security. Let’s get started!

Steps to improve your website security

Below are 10 steps to improve your website security;

1. Keep software and plugins up to date.

Every day, many websites are hacked due to obsolete software. Potential hackers and bots are searching websites for attacks.

Updates are critical to the longevity and security of your website. If your website's software or apps are out of current, it is insecure.

Take every program and plugin update request carefully.

Updates frequently include security upgrades and vulnerability fixes. Check your website for updates, or install an update notification plugin. Some systems include automated upgrades, which is another way to assure website security.

1. Add HTTPS and an SSL certificate.

To make your website safe, you must use a secure URL. If visitors to your website offer to transmit confidential information, you must transport it using HTTPS rather than HTTP.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a security protocol for the Internet. HTTPS prevents material from being intercepted or interrupted while it is in transit.

To establish a secure internet connection, your website must also have an SSL Certificate. If your website requires users to register, sign up, or make a transaction of any sort, you must encrypt their connection.

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is another important website technology. This transmits the visitor's personal information from the website to your database. 

1. Select a Smart Password.

With so many websites, databases, and apps that require passwords, it is difficult to keep track. Many people use the same password everywhere to remember their login details.

However, this is a severe security error.

For each new login request, generate a unique password. Create passwords that are complicated, unpredictable, and tough to guess. Then, place them outside the website directory.

As an example, you might create a 14-digit password that combines letters and numbers. You might then save the password(s) in an offline file, a smartphone, or another computer.

1. Use a secure web host.

Imagine your website's domain name as a street address. Consider your web host to be the "real estate" on which your website sits online.

You must analyze prospective web hosts to choose the best one for you, just like you would when looking for a plot of land to build a house.

Many hosts offer server security tools to help secure your website data.

1. Record user access and administrative privileges.

Initially, you may feel at ease allowing multiple high-level staff access to your website. You grant administrative powers to each with the expectation that they would use their site responsibly. Although this is the ideal scenario, it does not always occur.

Unfortunately, workers do not consider website security while login into the CMS. Instead, they focus on the work at hand.

If they make a mistake or ignore an issue, it can lead to a serious security risk.

It is critical to assess your personnel before providing them online access. Find out whether they have any expertise with your CMS and what to look for to avoid a security breach.

1. Change Your CMS's Default Settings

The most prevalent assaults on websites are completely automated. Many attack bots rely on users' CMS settings being set to default.

After deciding on a CMS, immediately update your default settings. Changes assist to prevent a high number of assaults from happening.

CMS settings may involve altering control comments, user visibility, and permissions.

A wonderful example of a default configuration adjustment you should make is 'file permissions.' You may adjust the permissions to determine who can do what with a file.

1. Backup your website.

One of the most effective ways to keep your website safe is to have a strong backup solution. You should own more than one. Each is critical to restoring your website once a severe security breach happens.

There are various ways available to assist you restore damaged or missing files.

Keep your website's information elsewhere. Do not keep your backups on the same server as your website; they are as vulnerable to attacks.

Choose to save your website backup to a home computer or hard disk. Find an off-site location to store your data and keep it safe from hardware failures, hackers, and viruses.

1. Understand the Files That Configure Your Web Server.

Learn about the files that configure your web server. They are located in the main web directory. Server rules can be managed by you using web server configuration files. This provides instructions on enhancing the security of your website.

1. Make a Web Application Firewall application.

See to it that a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is applied for. It stands in between the data connection and the server of your website. To safeguard your website, the goal is to read every bit of data that travels through it.

The majority of WAFs available today are plug-and-play, cloud-based services. All incoming communication is routed through the cloud service, which prevents any hacking efforts. Malicious bots and spammers are among the various undesirable traffic kinds that it screens out.

1. Strengthen Security on Networks.

You should examine your network security even if you believe your website to be secure.

Workers who use work computers can unintentionally be opening a dangerous portal to your website.