Website Security Best Practices Every Business Should Follow

Why Website Security Matters

A security breach can devastate your business: lost customer trust, legal liability, revenue loss, and damaged reputation. With cyberattacks increasing 30% year-over-year, security isn't optional—it's essential.

1. Use HTTPS Everywhere (SSL Certificates)

SSL certificates encrypt data between your server and visitors. Benefits:

Protects sensitive data (passwords, credit cards, personal info)
Required by browsers (Chrome marks HTTP sites as "Not Secure")
Boosts SEO rankings (Google confirmed HTTPS as ranking signal)
Builds customer trust (users won't transact on insecure sites)

Devoster provides: Free SSL certificates for all domains on every plan, automatically renewed.

2. Keep Everything Updated

Outdated software is the #1 cause of website hacks. Maintain updates for:

Content management systems (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)
Plugins and extensions
Themes and templates
Server software (PHP, MySQL, etc.)

Devoster's managed hosting handles server-level updates automatically, and can enable auto-updates for WordPress core.

3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Weak passwords are easily cracked. Best practices:

Minimum 12 characters
Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Different password for each account
Use a password manager (1Password, LastPass, Bitwarden)
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible

4. Regular Backups

Backups are your safety net. If something goes wrong, you can restore quickly:

Daily automatic backups
Store backups off-site (not on same server)
Test restores periodically (verify backups actually work)
Keep multiple backup versions (at least 7-30 days)

Devoster includes: Automatic daily backups stored separately from your live site. Free restoration if needed.

5. Limit Login Attempts

Brute force attacks try thousands of password combinations. Protect against them:

Limit failed login attempts (lock accounts after 5 failures)
Change default login URLs (avoid /wp-admin, /admin)
Use CAPTCHA on login forms
Implement IP-based blocking for repeat offenders

6. Use Web Application Firewall (WAF)

WAFs filter malicious traffic before it reaches your site:

Blocks common attacks (SQL injection, XSS, etc.)
Protects against DDoS attacks
Monitors suspicious activity
Updates rules automatically as new threats emerge

Devoster's Cloudflare integration provides enterprise-grade WAF protection on all plans.

7. Secure File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions allow hackers to modify your files. Proper settings:

Files: 644 (readable but not writable by public)
Directories: 755 (executable for navigation)
Configuration files: 600 (owner only)
Never use 777 permissions (completely insecure)

8. Remove Unused Code and Features

Every plugin, theme, or feature is a potential vulnerability:

Delete unused plugins (don't just deactivate)
Remove default themes you're not using
Disable unnecessary PHP functions
Turn off directory browsing

9. Monitor and Scan Regularly

Early detection prevents major breaches:

Use security scanning tools (Wordfence, Sucuri, etc.)
Monitor access logs for suspicious activity
Set up alerts for unauthorized changes
Regular malware scans

Devoster's dashboard includes built-in security monitoring with alerts for suspicious activity.

10. Choose Secure Hosting

Your hosting provider is your first line of defense. Look for:

Server-level security measures
DDoS protection
Regular security audits
Isolated hosting environments (your site separated from others)
24/7 security monitoring

What Devoster Provides

Security is built into every Devoster hosting plan:

✓ Free SSL certificates (automatic renewal)
✓ DDoS protection via Cloudflare
✓ Web Application Firewall (WAF)
✓ Daily automated backups
✓ Malware scanning
✓ Server-level security hardening
✓ Isolated hosting environments
✓ 24/7 security monitoring

Creating a Security Checklist

Implement this monthly security routine:

Update all software (CMS, plugins, themes)
Review user accounts and permissions
Scan for malware
Review security logs
Test backup restoration
Check SSL certificate status
Audit third-party integrations

Responding to Security Incidents

If you suspect a breach:

Take site offline immediately (maintenance mode)
Contact your hosting provider (Devoster offers 24/7 support)
Restore from clean backup
Change all passwords
Scan for malware thoroughly
Identify and patch the vulnerability
Notify affected users if data was compromised

Conclusion

Website security is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time setup. By following these best practices and choosing security-focused hosting like Devoster, you protect your business, customers, and reputation. The cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of a breach.