7 Web Designer Tips For Maintaining Site Security
As more of the world's population continues to rely on online solutions and web applications to carry out basic activities and transactions, users are becoming more vulnerable to threats and attacks.
Hence, more emphasis is being placed on making a website's security as ironclad as possible to forestall attacks.
An optimally secured site can resist attacks from hackers, fend off malicious spyware and keep all sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
With the increase in threats to online security and privacy, website designers are now required to look beyond the look and aesthetics of a site and focus on how secure it is.
It is up to web designers and developers to create websites that can stand their ground against data thieves without sacrificing too much of the necessary visuals and aesthetics needed to attract and engage potential customers.
With a little bit of learning and creativity, designers can implement simple but strong measures to ensure their clients receive end products that can withstand malicious forces. Some of these measures are outlined below.
Install An SSL Certificate
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is one of the most crucial elements that must be featured on a website.
In its basic sense, an SSL certificate works by ensuring that all data transmitted between a website and its server are encrypted.
Encryption means that data would only be useful to the sender and the intended receiver of the data.
Without the correct entry clearance, such as usernames and passwords, anyone who intercepts the data exchange will be unable to use it.
A website with an SSL certificate has 'HTTPS' in its address and features a padlock icon in the address bar.
The amount and sensitivity of the information that a site will handle determines the level of security it requires.
So, while you can install a free SSL certificate from a reputable vendor, you might need to consider a paid service for a large ecommerce site or a payment processing platform.
SSL should be purchased from reputed certificate authorities (CA) and Comodo is one of the well-known CA. Few Comodo products are positive SSL, Comodo multi-domain, Comodo positive wildcard SSL, etc. These certs are available at less price and are ideal for SMBs.
Use Updated Software
No software or program is 100% foolproof, hence the reason why companies regularly release updates that address bugs and glitches while including new security patches.
Hackers have spyware that allows them to detect vulnerabilities, no matter how minute, in programs through which they can gain access to a website.
It is essential to always use up-to-date software when coding and building a website. Whether you choose to use a website builder or pay for a professional web designer, keep a vigilant eye on newly released updates and install them immediately.
If you want, you can set the updates to automatic to make the work easier but ensure to check up on them regularly.
Install Malware Defenses
With updated and high-level security measures in place, your website is still likely to at some point inadvertently contain loopholes that information bandits can exploit.
This is where malware defenses come into action; they can be compared to a battalion that guards your site and stops the enemy from infiltrating your system.
Anti-malware software such as anti-viruses, anti-identity theft systems, and firewalls are must-haves for any website. When considering options for anti-malware, look for software that:
- Scans for viruses
- Detects potential spyware
- Prevents virus attacks
- Prevents DDoS
- Scans for vulnerabilities
Whether you install a free anti-malware service or choose a paid one, ensure to use the most recently updated version.
Ensure User Privacy
Many elements are being used to collect and track user data nowadays. Internet users are always at risk of having their data leaked to people with nefarious plans, from information that is readily volunteered through forms to those obtained through cookies.
With data breaches and unethical data usage occurring in industry giants such as Facebook, it goes to show that most companies do not have their users' data privacy at heart.
As someone who works in the online world, you've no doubt learned how to protect your privacy online.
It follows that your clients will want you to be providing the same level of commitment to privacy for them and their customer or client base when building their website.
Implement a tracking and cookies system on your client's site that allows users to decide whether they want their data to be collected. With user authentication and authorization protocols, understanding the differences between SAML vs OAuth can help you choose the appropriate framework that aligns with your client's specific security requirements.
Create forms that collect only the necessary information needed to provide a service. Do not include automatic subscriptions to newsletters, autofill, or connection to other apps with call-to-action buttons.
Do Not Leave Crumbs
By leaving open access entries all over a website, you create a trail of crumbs for hackers to follow.
One mistake that has cost many businesses significant money is granting guest users unfettered access into a website's inner workings.
You should design a website so that the users are granted as minimal accessibility as possible to provide the intended service.
Implement a two-factor authentication system as an extra layer of security for the website administrators.
A password, while seemingly inconsequential, can be a formidable force when a site is faced with an attack.
Advise your clients to use strong passwords, including letters in uppercase and lowercase, symbols, and numbers. Long phrases and joined sentences are also harder to guess.
Add Backup Systems
The most carefully crafted precautions might not be enough to stop a data breach. However, total data loss can be prevented by implementing a backup system that stores every bit of information contained on a website.
Take advantage of your hosting service's backup plan or pay for dedicated backup from a different company.
If possible, go for a remote backup location instead of a cloud-based one, as the latter can fall victim to attacks.
Set the website to backup regularly, daily preferably, so that the latest operating system can be restored in case of data loss.
Add more than one backup system as an added precaution should one of them fail or become corrupted.
Get A Professional Opinion
While these measures are quite enough to ensure that your website is secure, you might need to consult a professional to conduct a thorough assessment.
Whether you are at a beginner or advanced level regarding online security, there is no harm in getting a professional opinion.
Data thieves are devising new methods to steal information every day. A security expert's job is to keep track of all these methods and develop countermeasures to combat them.
Hence, they are better equipped to show you areas you might have overlooked that would have otherwise left your site open to attacks.
Get your website accessed for potential vulnerabilities and areas that could use more safeguarding. Ensure to get feedback on better ways to secure the site and implement them immediately.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, staying ahead of security threats and attacks is an essential factor in the success and longevity of a website.
As a website designer, you can secure your client's site by installing an SSL certificate, using up-to-date software, and adding malware defenses to the site.
While these measures can provide a strong layer of security, getting a second opinion from an expert would go a long way in ensuring that any website you create is as secure as possible.