How to protect your website this #SafeInternetDay

Happy Safe Internet Day! We know what you’re thinking – “Does everything need its own day?” But today is an important one. While we’re all for celebrating the good parts of the web (doge memes, anyone?) it's also important to keep your corner of the web secure.

Whether you’re running a personal blog, an online shop, or a growing business, you’re always at risk of a cyber attack – like hackers, malware threats, and phishing scams. And let’s not forget the lurking dangers of ransomware and Denial-of-Service attacks.  

Thankfully, armed with the right tools and information, you can keep your site safe from digital villains that are out to steal your data…

Keep everything updated

Like those 80s shoulder pads in the back of your mum’s wardrobe, some things are just outdated – but the last thing you want going out of fashion, is your security software.

Outdated anti-malware and anti-virus tools are the equivalent of leaving your key under the doormat – in other words, a big no-no. Make it a habit to conduct regular updates and close those digital loopholes.

Strengthen your passwords

Your first pet’s name followed by “123” isn’t fooling anyone. In fact, weak passwords are the cause of 4 out of 5 company data breaches, putting both business’ and customer data at risk. 

Use unique, complex passwords for all your accounts, and invest in a password manager to keep track of them. 

Install an SSL certificate

SSL certificates are non-negotiable. They encrypt sensitive information and reassure visitors that your site is legit (plus, Google loves HTTPS sites for SEO). But beyond that, they ensure your business data is protected from would-be hackers.

Did you know with Fasthosts, setting up an SSL couldn’t be more straightforward? See for yourself.

Backups are non-negotiable

This one’s a biggie. Regular backups ensure that if the worst happens, you won’t lose everything. Unfortunately, this is a big gap for businesses, with 40% of SMEs not backing up their data at all – and even when they do, up to half of these backups aren’t fully recoverable. Yikes!

When you partner with Fasthosts, our Cloud Backup serves as a digital time machine for your site – ready to rewind if and when disaster strikes. 

Monitor for suspicious activity  

Remember when that so-called prince sent you an email out of the blue offering you his royal fortune as long as you clicked the link? Yeah, that’s what we mean by ‘suspicious’. But potential hackers won’t always be so overt!

Install tools to detect unusual behaviour on your site, like unexpected traffic spikes or unapproved changes. The earlier you catch an issue, the faster you can fix it.

Don’t wait for the worst to happen – take action today

Website security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Far from it, in fact! All you have to do is keep your software updated, use strong passwords, monitor activity, and most importantly – protect everything with Fasthosts Cloud Backup. This nifty tool guarantees…

  • Automatic backups: No more manual hassle – your data is saved regularly
  • Speedy recovery: Got hit by a ransomware attack? Restore your site in no time
  • Cost-effectiveness: Peace of mind without breaking the bank

Want confidence that your hard work is secure? Speak to a member of our team about safeguarding your site against the unexpected with Cloud Backup.