How Safe is Your Business Website from Hackers?

Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author

2016 was a great year for hackers. The Kremlin was accused of hacking the US presidential election and Yahoo was forced to admit it had been the victim of hackers, not once but twice. There was also a huge rise in the use of Ransomware, where hackers extort money from businesses in return for unencrypting their files. At one point, security software provider Malwarebytes declared that 50% of all US businesses had been hit by ransomware.

The problem is that businesses can’t avoid the online world. To do so would be commercial suicide. However, if you don’t protect your business online, you run the risk of becoming a victim of hackers. So how vulnerable is your business?

Different Types of Security Breaches

Hackers and cyber criminals target business websites for many different reasons. Aside from ransomware that, as we have already mentioned, exists as a method of extorting money, hackers also attack businesses with a view to stealing sensitive financial and personal data. They are also not averse to using your server to relay spam, mine for Bitcoin, host illegal files, or insert malicious code into your website so users are infected when they click on links or download information.

There is no limit to the ingenuity of hackers. Unfortunately, most hackers are one step ahead of business owners, who in the most part of blissfully ignorant of modern cyber security risks. If you had an SEO question, you would talk to an expert like clickintelligence.com, but too many businesses don’t seek any advice when it comes to cyber security. Instead, they adopt a head in the sand approach and assume it won’t happen to them. The reality is that it could and probably will happen to you if you don’t take steps to protect your business interests online.

Simple Security Protocols

Always keep software updated. It takes time to update website software and plugins, but if you don’t do this, you are creating a vulnerability and hackers will waste no time in exploiting.

Make it harder for hackers to access your databases by creating difficult to guess usernames and passwords. Access to websites needs to be carefully regulated, especially if users need to reset passwords. Email accounts are vulnerable to hackers, so if a password reset email is intercepted, you have effectively left the front door wide open.

Maintain net security by installing a strong web application firewall that scans data passing between the server and your network. Cloud-based applications are easy to use and very effective at filtering out spam and bots.

Use SSL encryption to protect user information when it’s transferred between your website and the database.

Educate your employees on the basics of online security. Every network user needs to follow password protocols and have effective firewall and antivirus software on their devices.

Be Proactive

Hacks are devastating. They damage your business reputation and cost you money. You can’t afford to ignore the dangers of cyber criminals, so take a proactive approach and protect your assets today.