How to help secure a website in 5 steps

From data breaches to identity theft, the digital landscape is fraught with cyber threats. With losses to online payment fraud amounting to an estimated $48 billion in 2023, crimes continue to increase as e-commerce outpaces in-person retail.1

Assess your current security measures

With a proactive security strategy, there are two key components to zero in on: security audits and risk assessments.

Think of a security audit as a health check for your website security. It's a comprehensive examination of your site's security architecture, designed to pinpoint any vulnerabilities. By conducting regular audits, you can catch potential weaknesses before they become actual problems.

Risk assessments, on the other hand, involve evaluating potential risks and cyber threats specific to your site. It helps you understand where you're most vulnerable and guides you in fortifying those areas.

Steps to make your website more secure

Ready to ramp up the security of your website? Begin with these five steps:

  1. Implement SSL encryption

    SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption is essential for secure data transmission on your website.

    To implement SSL encryption, follow this general breakdown:

    • Obtain an SSL certificate. Purchase one from a trusted certificate authority.
    • Install the certificate. Install it on your web server via your hosting control panel or with assistance from their support team.
    • Configure HTTPS. Adjust your website's settings to ensure it always uses HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP.
    • Test the setup. Does the padlock icon appear in your browser’s address bar? If so, your SSL is likely working correctly.
  2. Incorporate strong password policies

    There’s a good reason why websites require users to choose passwords that include letters, numbers, and symbols: Strong passwords are the first line of defense in website security.

    Here's how to bolster your site’s defenses using authentications:

    • Educate users. Guide your users on how to create strong, unique passwords and advise against using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words.
    • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). By requiring a second form of verification (such as a text message code) along with the password, MFAs add an extra layer of security.
    • Leverage 3D Secure authentication. This feature allows you to initiate additional verifications with the customer’s card issuing bank, adding another layer of security to transactions and protecting against unauthorized use.
  3. Automate regular software updates

    Regular software updates are crucial for maintaining website security. Rather than updating them sporadically or as an afterthought, focus on:

    • CMS and plugin updates. Always keep your content management system (CMS) and any plugins current. These updates often include security enhancements and bug fixes that protect your site against new vulnerabilities.
    • Security patching: Security patches are released in response to emerging threats — make sure to apply them promptly.
  4. Conduct regular backups

    Regular backups are your safety net against data loss. To get started, determine your backup frequency. It should align with how often your site's content changes — daily for active sites or weekly for less dynamic ones.

    Next, look into offsite backup storage. It can add an extra layer of security, safeguarding your data from physical damage (like server failures) and cyber threats.

    Using cloud storage services or other remote locations can also ensure your backups are accessible and secure, no matter what happens to your primary site.

  5. Monitor website activity

    By setting up tools that continuously track your website’s activity and flag anything unusual, real-time monitoring is like hiring a 24/7 security guard for your site.

    Choose a reliable service that can track traffic patterns, user behavior, and system performance, alerting you to any anomalies that could indicate a security issue.

    Also, consider integrating Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to further level up your security. These systems are designed to detect early signs of a potential security breach, such as unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit vulnerabilities.

Using PayPal for enhanced payment security

When it comes to online transactions, security can often be a double-edged sword — while it’s crucial for protection, it may also create a hurdle in an otherwise smooth checkout process.

Here’s where PayPal's checkout options come into play. As an all-in-one payment solution with features like one-click payments and digital wallets, PayPal helps shoppers check out securely without compromising on their convenience.

Ready to offer your customers an efficient, more reliable, and safer payment process? Learn more about PayPal’s comprehensive payment solutions.

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