If you think cyber-attacks only happen to big businesses? You are wrong. According to an article published in CNBC, about 43% of reported cyber thefts targeted small businesses. On average, these attacks cost small businesses about $200,000 every year.
Even so, how do you deal with these attacks? Is there a way to safeguard your business and protect it from cyber-attacks? Read on for a detailed overview of what you can do to improve the security of your businesses’ online presence.
Below are practical ways to circumvent cyber threats and protect your website.
Install a web application firewall
A web application firewall (WAF) is a software or hardware-based firewall that protects web applications. It acts as a link between the website server and the data link. Technically, it reads all the data that passes through.
Most modern WAFs are cloud-based for a small monthly subscription fee and are offered as a plug-and-play service. The cloud service is basically installed in front of your server and acts as a conduit for all incoming traffic. Web application firewalls offer full peace of mind by stopping all hacking attempts and filtering out other forms of unwanted traffic, such as spammers and malicious bots, once they’ve been mounted.
Backup Often – Restrict File Uploads
Regularly backing up your data is an often overlooked aspect of personal online security. The 3-2-1 backup rule is practiced by the majority of top IT and security executives. It enables you to keep three copies of your data on two separate forms of media (local and external hard drives), as well as one copy off-site (cloud storage).
If you’ve been infected with ransomware or malware, the only way to get your data back is to wipe your systems and recover from a recent backup.
Host Your Website with a Secure Provider
Building a website today is quite simple as compared to several years ago. Anyone can make a website with the help of a user-friendly website builder. However, no matter how well-designed a website is, it is worthless if it is not hosted on a secure server.
For this reason, make sure a PCI-compliant web hosting company hosts your website. Note that if you want to keep your website’s payment and checkout processes safe from hackers, this process is fundamental. The majority of website owners are unaware that hosting a stable server has a wide range of benefits with Google and Bing SEO.
Also, avoid free hosting services. A free hosting service can seem appealing, but it comes with restricted speed and shared space, all of which are security risks. It’s best to choose a hosting service that meets the needs of your website. If you have a website with a lot of sensitive information, you’ll need a hosting service that will provide you with proper protection and privacy.
Update Antivirus and Programs Regularly
This should be the first line of defense against security threats. Your systems’ vulnerability to cybercriminals is also exacerbated by out-of-date software. As a result, make sure you install new antivirus software regularly.
Set all of your software programs to install updates automatically to save time. Cybercriminals find it much more difficult to hack your website when you keep updating programs. Below are some key things you should consider when purchasing an antivirus:
- Look for an antivirus with a quick scan option. It will provide you with peace of mind if you don’t have time to conduct a full scan.
- Go for a renowned antivirus. There are high chances that the rumors might be true.
- Check whether it is compatible with your computer operating system.
- Go for an antivirus capable of performing email and file download scanning. Hackers sometimes use spam emails to infect the host’s operating system.
Notably, apart from keeping your programs up to date, you should also ensure you use strong passwords to encrypt your files. Change them after every 90 days for added security.
Final Thoughts
In the current digital world, your business’s online safety should be your biggest concern. Victims of cyber theft suffer from financial theft and risk losing customer loyalty and trust. Ensure you put the above factors into consideration to secure your online presence, and there is no doubt that you will minimize your risks of being a victim of a cyberattack.
For more information about how we can help you protect your website from cyber-attacks and best cybersecurity practices, contact us at Web Head Tech and let us ensure that your online safety is top-notch.