Secure your sites tips
If you don’t have time to manually update all of your plugins, consider using a host that includes this as part of their services, like we do.
Avoid human error
A lot of cyberattacks are caused by human error – some put it at 95%! No matter how many steps you take to mitigate the risk of attacks on your website, you are likely to be the weakest point and greatest security risk. That’s why being savvy about your cybersecurity should be part of your skill set. Simple things like removing scams and phishing emails, securing your passwords, encrypting your communications, and downloading data only from trusted websites – these are some of the best practices that can help reduce the human error factor when it comes to your website security.
Always save backups
No matter what kind of website you have, how many files and pages it contains, you can bet it’s better to restore it from a backup than to rebuild it from scratch in case attack! So be sure to regularly back up your website, files, and pages daily or at least once a week.
As a web hosting provider, we back up all of our customers’ websites daily as part of our web hosting packages. We also back up all of our servers because we believe you should have more than one solution when it comes to backing up data. If your web host doesn’t do backups for you, then you should look to a website backup service like Barracuda or DropSuite. Alternatively, if you have a WordPress website, you can install a website backup plugin.
Install security plugins or apps
Speaking of plugins and apps, you can make your website more secure by installing tools that specifically protect your website. All of our packages include the iThemes Security Pro plugin, which protects you from a wide range of attacks and even detects suspicious activity.
There are literally hundreds of different website security plugins out there, so be sure to do your research and consider only installing plugins and apps from a reputable source.
A person establishing their website’s security plan
Say goodbye to gremlins and hello to a secure website. A small business these days is highly dependent on a trustworthy web presence. Your website reflects your business in many ways, so make sure your customers know they can trust you with their data. .
Our green web hosting plans are perfect for small business owners who want a secure website without having to do it themselves. We do all the work for you so you can be sure to provide your customers with a safer and more secure website experience! Our carbon neutral operations also allow your website to support your business while being ethical and environmentally friendly.
Disclaimer No warranty is given based on the advice, solutions offered or suggested. Please consult your own independent advice and take additional steps to stay safe online. For terms and conditions related to each application or service, refer to the respective third-party website at your own discretion.
Top 5 Tips for Safer and More Secure Web Browsing
Adults in the United States spend around 4 hours a day connected to the Internet, but complaints and frustrations about web browsing experiences are on the rise. There are a few common themes that occur over and over again, including lack of website compatibility, threats posed by malware and viruses, and concerns about intrusive advertising, disruptive pop-ups and the data confidentiality. In this article, we have identified 5 tips for better web browsing.
5 tips for safe browsing
Keep your browser and all plugins up to date. Web browsers are often your first point of contact with the internet, no matter what device you’re using. Developers release frequent updates to make sure you get the latest from the web – more than ever, websites are enjoying all the new features enabled by HTML5 video and audio, advanced styling and speeds improved. Many sites +have stopped supporting older versions of browsers due to compatibility and security issues.
Hackers often target vulnerabilities in web browsers, which is why companies that have them release regular updates to fix vulnerabilities. Installing the latest versions keeps your device secure – fortunately, most popular browsers include auto-update options either within the browser itself or as part of the operating system’s update tools.
Use a browser that lets you take your bookmarks with you between devices
Most modern browsers allow you to create an account to reduce your reliance on search engines and sync your bookmarks between your laptop, tablet and smartphone. Many even let you see pages you’ve opened on other devices and open them in the device you’re using at the time.
Block pop-ups
While pop-ups from your operating system are unavoidable, pop-ups from your web browser can often be disabled. Browser pop-ups usually open new browser windows to push advertisements, and while most are just annoying, some may contain malicious links or inappropriate content. Most browsers come with filters that automatically block pop-ups and allow you to allow them for trusted sites where they can be beneficial.
Use an ad blocker
Pop-up ads and the sentiment of ads following you around the internet has led to the growing popularity of adblocker. Ad blockers prevent web pages from showing you ads, which sounds good until you realize how controversial this topic is and the profound impact it could have on the websites you visit.
Most websites are paid for by ads on a pay-per-impression basis – so if you have an ad blocker running, you’re denying the publisher the revenue to run the site. Of course, protect yourself by using an ad blocker, but consider whitelisting your favorite sites because ad revenue is what keeps them in business!
Enable “Do Not Track” in your browser
Many browsers include the ability to send a “Do Not Track” request to websites that instruct them not to collect or track your browsing data. However, what happens depends on how sites respond to the request – but most websites and web servers don’t change their behavior and seem to ignore the request. However, making it clear that you do not want to be tracked is a good start.