Protect Site Visitors With A Quick Security Check
Running a website can be a lot of work. However, all your effort will be for nothing if your reputation ends up ruined by security flaws. Website visitors must feel secure while visiting your pages, especially if you are running an ecommerce website or online store. To be sure that your website security meets site visitors’ expectations, it is recommended that you perform periodic security checks. Run the security checks below against your website to weed out any vulnerabilities that may stop your website in its tracks. After all, the only vulnerabilities you can fix are the ones you know about.
#1. Are all of your website elements up to date?
Updating your website will fix any security slip-ups that may have developed since your last update. WordPress websites are especially vulnerable to update mishaps. The plugins you use for various tasks can effectively act as open doors for hackers if the latest version isn’t installed. Regularly scanning your website for anything that may be out of date can secure any of your accounts that might be risky.
#2. Have you changed your passwords recently?
Changing passwords on a routine basis is a great idea for any account, not just websites. The best rule when creating passwords is simply the longer the better. Make sure that it is at least eight characters long (12 to 16 is even better) and that you are not using a word that can be directly found in the dictionary. A popular tactic is to create sentences mixed with alphanumerics. For example, if your typical password is supersecure1, you could create the password 5up3r53cur34cc0unt (super secure account). The second password is far more secure because of the additional characters and because the words are not a dictionary in that format.
#3. Do you have an SSL Certificate protecting website visitors?
SSL certificates work by encrypting data as it passes between the server where it is stored and your website visitors’ screens. You will recognize an SSL certificate by the green lock in the left-hand side of an address bar. If the green lock symbol is present, then the site is secure against man-in-the-middle attacks, where data is captured while in transit. SSL certificates encrypt data and can only be translated by the proper recipient. Search engines frown upon any website not protected by SSL encryption. All Midphase web hosting packages include an SSL certificate to protect the personal information submitted by website visitors and to help your organic search value.
#4. Is your malware protector finding any trouble spots?
Midphase loves SiteLock malware detector. By installing SiteLock you can protect your website with daily scans of up to 2500 pages. SiteLock regularly performs website application scans, SQL injection scans, FTP scans and file change monitoring. Employing professional malware protection puts your mind at ease, knowing that you are proactively securing your website on a daily basis.
#5. Are you protected against DDoS attacks?
Cloudflare is a service available in your control panel to boost speeds and protect against denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Remember that Cloudflare is absolutely free for Midphase clients. Simply add the service and you will supercharge your website to protect from hackers and spammers while simultaneously boosting website performance.
Security may be the single most important aspect of your website’s reputation. One attack can deem your website as unsafe territory, and search engines will then prevent visitors from entering your digital space. By regularly scanning your website for any security flaws and vulnerabilities, you can prevent any security mishaps that could slow your traffic to a dead stop.