Many business owners assume hackers only go after large companies. In reality, most website attacks are automated — bots scan the internet for any site with a known weakness. The good news is that a handful of sensible habits block the vast majority of them.
1. Always use HTTPS
The padlock in the browser bar means data between your visitor and your site is encrypted. It's essential for contact forms and logins, browsers warn visitors about sites without it, and certificates are often free.
2. Keep everything updated
Outdated software is the most common way in. That includes:
- Your CMS (for example WordPress) and its plugins and themes
- Server software and frameworks
- Any third-party libraries your site depends on
Remove plugins you no longer use — every extra one is something else to keep updated.
3. Strong logins and fewer admins
- Use long, unique passwords and a password manager.
- Turn on two-factor authentication wherever it's available.
- Give each person their own account with only the access they need, and remove accounts when people leave.
4. Automatic, tested backups
Backups are your safety net. Make sure they:
- Run automatically and are stored somewhere separate from your website
- Include both files and the database
- Are actually tested — a backup you've never restored is only a hope
5. Protect your forms
Contact and enquiry forms attract spam bots. Simple measures such as hidden honeypot fields, rate limiting and server-side validation keep junk out without annoying real visitors.
6. Watch for problems
Uptime monitoring and basic security alerts mean you hear about issues quickly, rather than from a customer.
Make it routine
Security isn't a box you tick once at launch. It's part of looking after your website, like servicing a car. If you'd rather not handle it yourself, our maintenance & growth service covers updates, backups and monitoring.
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