Launching a new company is one of the most exciting things an entrepreneur can do, but don’t let the anticipation of the launch prevent you making your new website secure. After all, 60 percent of companies fail within six months due to poor website security. From choosing a secure hosting option to using an SSL certificate, there are a number of tactics new business owners must implement before they announce to the world that they’re open for business. So, before you send invites to your ribbon-cutting ceremony, here’s how to make your website secure in six easy steps.
1. Choose a Safe Web Hosting Provider
If you’re trying to figure out how to secure a website on the most basic level, don’t be too hasty when choosing your website hosting provider. The two most common hosting plans are shared hosting and managed or dedicated hosting. Though shared hosting may be more cost-efficient, it can also be more vulnerable to attacks because you share servers with other websites. When those sites get attacked, it’s possible the information on your site can be compromised. This doesn’t mean that shared hosting plans don’t offer security, but it won’t be as focused as a managed hosting plan. Browse some of the top-rated website hosting providers gathered by QuickSprout for security, reliability and customer support.
2. Migrate Site from HTTP to HTTPS
Using HTTPS protocol is an easy way to assure your website visitors that they’re on a secure server. Sites without HTTPS are notoriously vulnerable to hackers who can easily intercept personal information from site visitors. More than that, HTTPS sites improve your search ranking, so more visitors will find your website in the first place. With urllo, it’s not complicated to migrate your site from HTTP to HTTPS. Our enterprise-ready redirection engine automatically manages the redirection of your HTTP and HTTPS links and then provides clear, actionable information on all your links to show you how visitors interact with your content.
3. Use an SSL Certificate
Like an HTTPS protocol, an SSL certificate on your site also signals to users that their information is protected. An SSL certificate minimizes the risk of data theft and computer viruses through an encrypted connection. urllo automatically manages SSL certificates by buying, renewing, and deploying them for you, ensuring that brand domain variations are secured. This saves you time, money, and headaches in the long-run.
4. Limit User Access
Research shows that 95 percent of cybersecurity attacks are the result of human error. A negligent employee or external consultant could wreak havoc if given free rein to make changes to your site or handle sensitive information. To mitigate risks, limit the number of users who have access to your site and then limit their access to specific parts of the website. Even more, make sure they have their own login credentials.
5. Create Strong Passwords
A password security report conducted by the security company Avast revealed that 83 percent of Americans are using weak passwords and 53 percent use the same password to access multiple accounts. Hackers gain access to websites because the passwords used to “protect” them are simply too weak. By creating strong, distinct passwords for each account and changing passwords often, you minimize the risks of having your passwords traded like Pokemon cards in the underground hacker network.
6. Back Up Your Website
If your site does get compromised, a backup may save the day. A website backup is basically a copy of all your website data. Website backups should be performed on a regular basis—either daily or weekly—and can be handled by a variety of website backup services. Website backups represent yet another layer of a multi-layered safety net.
Learn more about how urllo keeps websites safe and secure with URL redirects on a user-friendly dashboard.
By William Richards
Founder & CEO
William has over two decades of experience building mission critical software for a wide range of companies, including at the enterprise level with startups and in the public sector. In his downtime, William is an avid traveler and photographer. He’s also got musical chops, playing both piano and drums.
