1. First Step to Protecting Your Website
When people think of “protecting” their website from hackers and the like, we often imagine something akin to the Matrix. Where fast fingers, access to the mainframe, and an intensive knowledge of complex coding is required to fight back the invaders.
Luckily, it usually isn’t that complicated.
In fact, defending your website from all attacks both foreign and domestic begins with a tool on your PC — specifically, your home screen.
So, what is this tool that acts as your website’s first defense? It is an Antivirus. Plain and simple.
Why An Antivirus?
Here is the logic: If someone were to hack into your unguarded PC, they would have access to all the passwords, websites, verification methods, financial information for your business.
If it something that you wouldn’t want them to have access to… they now have access to it.
So the very first step every business owner should take when running a business-related website, eCommerce, social media, or anything related, is to download an antivirus.
Now we understand that $70 dollars seem like a lot to drop on something you may never use. But, would you rather drop 40-70 dollars once? Or rebuild your business from the ashes of a cyber attack? That $70 looks awfully cheap by comparison.
Finding The Best Antivirus For You
Your next step is finding the best antimalware/antivirus that works for you! Here, we’ve compiled a shortlist of the top-rated antivirus software to help get you started.
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2. Fighting Back Against “Brute Force” Hacks
There are three quick and easy ways to fight back against hackers hoping to successfully brute force your website.
Change Default Usernames
Changing the username from “admin” to a customized username reduces the chances of a successful “brute force” attack (also called, “brute force cracking”).
What is a brute force attack, and why does changing the default username help prevent it?
Well, simply put: A brute force attack is when the attacker tries many different combinations of usernames and passwords hoping to eventually guess the right one.
Usually, with a custom username, the attacker has to try and guess that as well. But, if the username is still “admin,” they have half the combination correct already without even trying!
Want to further protect your site in only 30 seconds? Change the default username.
Limit Login Attempts
There’s a plugin for everything now. So, if you don’t already have it installed, go and download the Login Lockdown plugin on WordPress.
Needing help using the app? Here is an awesome article detailing Login Lockdown’s best practices and techniques.
Strong Passwords
Similar to the custom username, a difficult to guess password is one of the cornerstones to brute force a resistant website. We recommend storing your usernames and files in a separate document somewhere readily available. There are many great websites and tools designed for storing all of your strong usernames and passwords.
According to Cnet, here some of the top-rated password managers on the market:
There are a lot of good options to choose from. Look through the list, and decide which option works best for you!
3. Adding Further Web Security
Firewalls
A firewall is a lot of things, and it can get pretty complicated to explain. But simply put, a firewall is a barrier, or filter, that protects your computer from the internet. They allow, stop, and filter all content that tries to interact with your computer. Firewalls do a lot of amazing things for your computer, and without them, the internet probably wouldn’t exist as it does now.
What does a firewall do? They help prevent unwanted content or programs from accessing your computer, help fight against unauthorized remote access to your computer, help filter out inappropriate content, and protect you and your valuable data in many different ways.
If you are looking for top-rated firewalls and plugins for your website, here are some trusted firewalls that will greatly boost your site security:
- Securi
- MaxCDN by StackPath
- Cloudfare
- Wordfence Security
- Jetpack
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