How to Keep Your Website Secure and Protected from Hackers

Your website functions as a vital business resource, which simultaneously becomes a frequent target for cybercriminals to attack. Small business websites located in Alexandria, VA, Washington, DC, and Maryland experience daily security threats from hackers and bots and spam attacks.

Business owners tend to think their websites do not face hacking threats because they believe their sites are too small. The reality is that hackers choose small businesses because these sites do not have enough protection measures in place.

At Websites for Small Business, we provide users with a simple method to protect their websites from security threats. Here’s how to keep your website safe, secure, and protected 24/7.

1. Keep Your Software, Plugins, and Themes Updated

Most website hacks happen because of outdated software. Your website requires regular updates when it operates on WordPress or similar platforms because these updates fix security weaknesses, which make your site vulnerable to attacks.

Our Website Maintenance service includes routine updates for your website’s platform, plugins, and themes, ensuring everything stays current and protected from the latest threats.

2. Use Secure Hosting

The quality of web hosting services varies significantly between different providers. Your website becomes vulnerable to attacks that target all websites that share the same server space when you opt for cheap or shared hosting services.

Our Hosting & Support plans include U.S.-based secure servers, daily backups, SSL encryption, and proactive security monitoring so your business stays safe and online.

3. Install and Maintain SSL Encryption

An SSL certificate encrypts data sent between your website and your visitors, protecting sensitive information like contact form submissions and payment details.

Websites without SSL (the padlock symbol in your browser) are flagged by Google as “Not Secure,” which can scare away visitors.

Our hosting service provides free SSL encryption with every website to deliver total data security and enhanced search engine optimization results.

4. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

Weak passwords create a direct path for hackers to enter your system. Your passwords should contain uppercase letters and numbers, and symbols, but you need to create different passwords for every account you have.

The system protects all admin accounts by using two-factor authentication (2FA), which functions as an additional security feature.

5. Back Up Your Website Regularly

Even the most secure websites need backups. Your website will experience fast recovery because you perform regular backups, which protect against update failures and hacking incidents, and server breakdowns.

Your data remains protected through our system, which generates daily automated backups that are stored in secure off-site locations.

6. Limit Login Attempts

Hackers use brute force attacks to guess passwords by attempting thousands of different combinations. Your system limits login attempts and tracks failed login activities to stop suspicious actions from developing into security threats.

7. Scan for Malware and Suspicious Activity

The early detection of problems becomes possible through continuous monitoring. Our team runs regular malware scans and removes any detected threats immediately, minimizing downtime and preventing further damage.

8. Secure Your Forms and Emails

Contact forms function as entry points that allow spam and phishing attacks to infiltrate your system. Your inbox protection system blocks automated spam bots through our implementation of reCAPTCHA and secure form plugins.

Our maintenance team works on your forms immediately to fix any issues that might block leads from reaching you.

9. Control Who Has Access

If multiple people manage your website, each should have their own user account, not shared credentials. Website administrators need to remove both temporary access and old users from their system right after finishing any project to protect their system from security risks.

10. Partner with a Local Web Team You Can Trust

Website security functions as an active procedure that requires constant attention. Your business will experience fast responses and proactive protection, and direct communication through our local Alexandria-based company.

Our team performs continuous site monitoring and maintenance throughout the year to deliver complete protection to your website.

Keep Your Business Safe Online

A single hacking incident can destroy your reputation while lose customers, and shut down your website for multiple days. Your website needs security and maintenance to stop problems before they occur.

At Websites for Small Business, we help companies across Alexandria, VA, Washington, DC, and Maryland stay secure, fast, and online 24/7.

Contact us today or call (703) 370-7433 to learn more about our Website Maintenance and Hosting & Support services. Let’s protect your business before problems start.