we take website security seriously
after all, your website is likely the first point of contact between you and your potential customers. That’s why we include some standard best practice security measures when we build your website!
Any online resource can be vulnerable to hackers but there are some steps to increase your security – just like anything in life. You lock your doors to your house and car, some people have security systems, certain properties are more valuable and will have higher levels of security systems. Your online presence can be looked at in a similar way. Below is a list of security inclusions we provide when we build your website.
Install SSL Certificate
SSL certificates are like locks for websites. They keep user data secure, verify ownership of the website, prevent attackers from creating a fake version of the site, and convey trust to users. In other words, they help keep your website safe and sound. In a nutshell, SSL certificates are a form of security that protects your website. Please note your certificate needs to be included in your hosting plan if you are hosting externally.
WordPress, Theme and Plugins are up to date
There’s nothing worse than clicking on your website only to find that it’s loading slowly, or worse, not loading at all. And while there are a number of factors that can contribute to these issues, one of the most common culprits is outdated WordPress, themes, and plugins. That’s why keeping these elements up to date when building your website. Each update will fix any possible bugs or patches that have been discovered, ensuring that your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
Take a backup
It’s always good to have a backup plan – especially when it comes to your website. Although we do our best to create a site that is perfect and problem-free, there is always the potential for something to go wrong. That’s why we recommend backing up your site 2-4 times a year after it goes live. This way, if anything does happen, you can easily access a recent backup and get your site up and running again in no time. You can manage the backups yourself using our training video, or we offer this as an additional service. Either way, it’s always good to be prepared!
Secure Hosting
We offer secure and reliable hosting services located right here in Australia. Depending on your website size, visitors and functionality, we have a hosting solution that will fit your needs. Plus, our weekly database backup happens EVERY Monday, so you can rest assured!
Latest PHP Version
PHP is the engine that powers your website and keeping it up-to-date is essential to keeping your site running smoothly.
We make sure that your PHP version is always up-to-date on go live. We do this by installing the latest PHP version on your website. If we have access to the hosting, we ensure the PHP is at the latest version. Each release is typically supported for 2 years, which means any major bug fixes or vulnerabilities will be addressed.
Passwords
We use a ‘Generate Secure Password’ creator to ensure that each of our passwords is unique. By using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters, we can be confident that our passwords are strong and secure. And because we never reuse passwords, we know that even if one of our accounts is compromised, our other accounts will remain safe.
Ensure each username is unique instead of ‘admin’
One of the most important aspects of website security is choosing a strong username. Unfortunately, many users go with the standard “admin” username, which gives hackers half the information they need to gain access to your site. We create unique usernames for each account to help keep your site safe and secure. By using a different username for each site, you can make it much harder for hackers to guess your login information.
Wordfence
Wordfence is like a security guard for your website. It helps protect your site against all sorts of nasty stuff, like hacking, malware and cyber attacks. And if there’s ever any critical errors or vulnerabilities, Wordfence will let you know so you can fix things before they get compromised. Plus, if you’re on one of our update plans, we’ll keep an eye on the notifications for you. So you can rest easy knowing that we are watching any threats that Wordfence identifies if we are managing your updates!
advanced security options
for just $375 setup and $140 per year!
If you’re looking for even more peace of mind, we can offer more advanced security measures to keep your website safe and sound. So if you’re worried about website security, for a setup fee of $375 and an additional $140 per year, leave it to us- we’ll help you sleep soundly at night knowing your site is in good hands.
Change your WordPress URL
If you’re looking to keep the bad guys out, you’ll need to put up a sturdier barrier. By changing the login URL, we can make it much harder for attackers to find your site’s weak spot! This strengthens your website’s security and makes it harder for bots and hackers to find your login screen.
2-factor authentication
2-factor authentication (2FA) is the security measure you never knew you needed- until you become a victim of a cyber attack. In today’s digital world, we rely on the internet for nearly everything. From ordering our morning coffee to conducting important business meetings, web-based applications have become a staple in our daily lives. However, with this increased dependence on the internet comes an increased risk of cybercrime. While there are many steps you can take to secure your online accounts, one of the most effective is 2FA. 2FA immediately neutralizes the risk posed by compromised passwords, making it much more difficult for intruders to gain access to your accounts.
2FA could be a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint, or even a question that only you know the answer to. In other words, it’s something that an intruder is unlikely to have access to. So if you’re looking to protect your web security, we suggest using 2-factor authentication.
Paid Wordfence/Premium $140 per year
Wordfence Premium offers your website an extra level of protection from the latest exploits, detection for the newest malware, and the ability to block malicious IP addresses. Contact us for more information about what level of security is suitable for your website.
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