Website Security Tips Every Business Should Know

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website-security

At Carawebs, we take website security seriously. A compromised website can damage your reputation, lose you customers, and in some cases, lead to serious legal or financial consequences.

Whether you’re running a small business site or managing a larger operation, here are some essential steps you can take to strengthen your website security today.

7 Practical Tips to Improve Website Security

 

1. Keep Your Software Updated

Always run the latest version of your CMS (e.g. WordPress, Joomla), plugins, and server software. Security vulnerabilities are often patched in updates, so delaying them leaves your site open to known exploits.

2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Weak passwords are still one of the biggest causes of website hacks. If your password is easy to remember, it’s probably not strong enough.

A secure password should be:

  • At least 12–16 characters

  • A mix of upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters

  • Unique to each account

Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely.

Popular options include:

  • 1Password

  • KeePass (our internal choice – lightweight, open-source, and free)

  • Dashlane

  • Bitwarden

  • LastPass

3. Avoid Common Usernames

Don’t use “admin” as your username — it’s the first thing hackers will try. Create a unique administrator username and give it a strong password.

4. Install Proper Security Tools

Install a trusted website security plugin (like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security for WordPress) to monitor threats, block malicious login attempts, and scan for vulnerabilities.

For non-WordPress sites, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) such as Cloudflare or Sucuri Firewall can provide robust protection.

5. Take Regular, Full-Site Backups

If the worst happens, a backup can be your lifesaver. Use automated backup tools and store your backups securely offsite (not just on your hosting server). Services like UpdraftPlus, Jetpack, or BlogVault can help.

6. Vet Your Plugins and Themes Carefully

Only install plugins and themes from reputable developers. Outdated or poorly coded plugins are a common entry point for attackers. Avoid any that haven’t been updated in the last 6–12 months.

7. Use HTTPS Everywhere

SSL encryption is no longer optional. Make sure your site has a valid SSL certificate and forces HTTPS connections — this protects data in transit and improves your credibility with users (and Google).

Real Example: Don’t Let This Happen to You

We recently helped a client whose outdated site had been hacked and repurposed to promote… Viagra sales. Not exactly the message they wanted to send to potential customers!

The site hadn’t been updated in years, passwords were weak, and no security plugins were installed. It was a harsh — but avoidable — lesson.

Final Thoughts

Website security isn’t just a technical issue — it’s a business priority. And many of the most effective steps are surprisingly simple:

  • Update everything

  • Use strong passwords

  • Backup regularly

  • Be selective with plugins

  • Harden access points

Need help improving your site’s security? We’re here to help. Get in touch with Carawebs and let’s keep your website safe and secure.

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