In this article, we discuss 8 ways to improve the security of your website; as more South African business owners realise the value of having a website, the need to secure this asset is becoming more prominent every day. Every hour, 97 people fall victim to a cyber attack in this country, and businesses in particular are favourite targets. Cyber security measures should be prioritised in every business, and a great place to start is your website.

Try these measures to ensure your Website’s Safety:

1. Add an SSL Certificate

A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate encrypts any data shared between a website and a website visitor. Visitors to your website will obtain peace of mind with the “secure” padlock icon in your url, and will be more confident to shop online or share their details with you.

2. Prioritise updates

Developers create updates for plugins and software to fix errors and patch vulnerabilities. Having outdated plugins and software therefore opens your website to risk. Updates have to become part of the “monthly-musts” to protect your website. With WordPress Hosting from Domains.co.za updates are done automatically.

3. Back up regularly

Backing up your website isn’t a security measure inasmuch as it is a proactive measure to safeguard your data. This ensures that in the event of an attack occuring, you will have your entire site stored as it was the day before, so you will be able to restore your site easily and quickly, without too much lost traffic. Automatic daily free backups are included in all of Domains.co.za’s web hosting packages.

4. Install anti-malware software

Anti-malware software scans a website 24/7, 365 for any malicious files, it will quarantine these before they can cause damage to your website. It is therefore essential to have an updated anti-malware program installed at all times.

5. Restrict admin privileges

Limit access to your website’s backend. Only give access to those individuals who really need it. If service providers from outside the business, like developers and designers, need access, change the logins once the project has been completed.

6. Create strong passwords

Passwords can be ‘foe or friend’. Make them work for you by creating long, uncrackable passwords that contain upper and lower case, special character, and numerics in various combinations. Also make use of multi-factor authentication and change the password regularly.

7. Secure web hosting

Server security is essential. Make sure you choose a web hosting company that is serious about security. All Domains.co.za website hosting packages include free spam and virus protection, malware scanning, and an SSL.

8. Training

92.4% of all malware gain access to a company’s website/network through an email. This means an employee clicked a link they shouldn’t have. Your security measures are only as strong as your “weakest” link. Training your employees on security best practices is therefore a must.

As a leading web hoster and domain name provider in South Africa, we value security. As a result we offer small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) solutions that are highly secure, stable, and reliable.

Chantel Venter

Chantél Venter is a creative writer, strategic thinker, and a serious gesticulator. She’s passionate about storytelling, small businesses and bringing color to the world ­– be it through her words or wardrobe.

She holds a four-year degree in Business and Mass Media Communication and Journalism. She’s been a copywriter and editor for the technology, insurance and architecture industries since 2007 and believes anybody can run a small business successfully. She therefore enjoys finding and sharing the best and most practical tips for this purpose.