Four in 10 businesses have experienced cyber security breaches in the past year, according to the latest government data.
That amounts to a massive 612,000 businesses across the country.
You may think that you need to be a big brand or household name to become the victim of an attacker, but strikes can be made against outfits of any size, from one-person bands to multi national companies.
This means online security has never been so important.
The old adage applies, prevention is better than the cure.
Fortunately, a few simple steps is all it needs to take to safeguard your business’s website and customer data to boot.
Why website security should be a priority
There are so many ways a cyber attack can impact an online business.
A hack can lead to any of the following, and more…
- Being locked out of your systems
- Loss of customer data
- Inability to take or fulfill orders
- Loss of sales
- Ransom demands
- The direct theft of money
- Reputational damage - 41% of UK consumers say they’d stop spending money with a company that suffered a data breach
- Financial losses – government data suggest that the average cost of a cyber attack is £1,600 a time
- Fines from regulatory bodies like the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.
At the very least a cyber attack is inconvenient, often leading to time consuming investigations and need for team training.
What is website security?
While the term website security might sound technical, boiled down, it simply refers to the practice of keeping your site protected from online threats.
You can think of it in the same way as you think of securing a house.
When you go on holiday, you lock all the windows, doors, and may even half close the curtains to deter intruders.
With website security, you’re essentially doing the same with your website.
Harnessing website security techniques will protect your brand, your data, and ensure the continuation of business as usual.
Why does website security matter?
Website security can help you:
Protect your information: Good security prevents hackers from stealing and misusing precious data.
Keep your business running: A cyber attack can take your website offline. This downtime can be anything from a matter of hours to a number of weeks.
Maintain customer trust: When people give you their personal details, they are entrusting you with it. A secure website gives them peace of mind that their data is in good hands.
Keep your search engine ranking: Google favours secure websites.
Why do cyber criminals target small businesses?
It’s sad to say, but many hackers see small businesses as easy targets.
Big brands have millions to funnel into their security operations and team members monitoring the situation around the clock. Small businesses don’t have the same amounts of time or money to allocate to cyber safety.
That’s not to say every small business is a sitting duck.
A few steps is all it needs to take to safeguard your site.
10 security threats to online businesses
Phishing
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where attackers try to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal details, by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.
This is the most common type of cyberattack.
Attackers send emails, messages, or texts that appear to come from legitimate organisations like banks, social media platforms, or even colleagues.
Some phishing emails contain attachments that, when opened, install malware on the victim’s device.
Good to know: All GoDaddy Professional Email plans include spam protection that helps filter out phishing emails.
Credential theft
Credential theft is when cybercriminals steal your login details to gain unauthorised access to your accounts, systems, or data. This can happen through phishing, malware, hacking, or other deceptive tactics.
Hackers can also use a technique called a Brute Force attack, in which they use automated tools to repeatedly guess at passwords, often targeting weak or reused ones.
Malware
Malware is short for malicious software. It refers to any software that is intentionally designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise computers, networks, or devices.
Cybercriminals use malware to steal, damage, or manipulate data, spy on users, or disrupt systems.
Viruses, worms, trojans and spyware are all types of malware.
Malware can be spread through phishing emails, through the innocent download of infected files from the internet, and through malicious websites.
Hackers can also exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to plant malware.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that locks or encrypts a victim’s files or system, making them inaccessible, and then demands a ransom payment from the victim to restore access.
The ransomware gets onto a device, often through phishing emails, malicious attachments, infected downloads, or by exploiting software vulnerabilities. Once installed, it quickly encrypts files or locks the computer, preventing the user from accessing their data or system.
The victim receives a message demanding payment (usually in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin) in exchange for a decryption key or to unlock the device. The message often threatens to delete files, increase the ransom, or leak data if the victim doesn’t pay within a certain time.
Denial of service (DDoS)
A Denial of Service (DoS) attack occurs when an attacker tries to make a computer, website, or online service unavailable to its intended users. This is usually done by overwhelming the target system with a flood of traffic or requests, causing it to slow down, crash, or become completely unresponsive.
Website tampering
Website tampering is a cyber attack in which someone unauthorisedly alters the content, appearance, or functionality of a website.
Attackers may find and exploit security weaknesses in the website’s code, plugins, or server. They may also steal administrator usernames and passwords through phishing, credential theft, or other means.
Common forms of website tampering include…
Defacement: Changing the website’s homepage or other pages to display messages, propaganda, or images chosen by the attacker.
Injection of malicious code: Inserting harmful scripts (like JavaScript) to steal data, redirect users to malicious sites, or spread malware.
Man in the middle
A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack occurs when a malicious actor secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.
As an example, attackers can set up fake wi-fi hotspots or compromise unsecured networks, allowing them to view or alter the data sent by users.
Code injections
Code injection is a hack where an attacker inserts (or "injects") malicious code into a vulnerable program, website, or system. The goal is to trick the system into executing the attacker's code, which can lead to data theft, unauthorized access, or control over the system.
Zero day exploits
A zero-day exploit takes advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in software, hardware, or firmware – one that the software vendor or manufacturer is not yet aware of and, therefore, has had “zero days” to fix.
An attacker discovers a hidden flaw in software or hardware. They create malicious code or techniques to exploit this flaw. Then they use the exploit to compromise targets—stealing data, installing malware, or gaining control over systems.
Social engineering
In social engineering attackers pretend to be employees, customers, or businesses.
On social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X, this involves using fake profiles or targeted messages to trick people into sharing sensitive information or giving access to company systems and data.
Tips to help defend your online business
Lock down your accounts with strong passwords and 2FA
Always use unique, complex passwords for your website and related accounts. Avoid using obvious choices like “password123” or your business name.
Strengthen your security by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. If you have 2FA in place, your hacker will need to get access to a second code even if they have guessed your original password correctly.
Protect your website’s data with an SSL certificate
An SSL certificate encrypts the information exchanged between your website and its visitors, keeping sensitive data like payment details and contact information safe from prying eyes.
If your business handles sensitive details like credit card information, an SSL is a non-negotiable.
Visitors to your site can look for the associated padlock icon in their browser’s address bar to check your site is secure.
Update software
Outdated website software, plugins, and themes are common targets for hackers.
Always install updates as soon as they become available. Set up automatic updates when possible so you never miss a critical fix.
Secure your wi-fi network
Your business wi-fi should be password-protected and hidden from public view.
Use a strong, unique password—and consider setting up a separate guest network for customers or visitors to keep your main network secure.
Shield your connection with a firewall
A firewall acts like a security guard at your digital front door, blocking unwanted traffic and keeping out cyber threats.
Many website platforms and routers have built-in firewall options – make sure yours are turned on and properly configured.
Train and empower employees when it comes to security
If your team is up to date on all the ways hackers can breach businesses, they’re in a better place to avoid an attack.
Train employees to spot phishing emails, use strong passwords, and follow your company’s security policies. Regular refresher sessions keep everyone up to speed on the latest threats.
Keep on top of privacy settings
Regularly review the privacy settings on your website, social media accounts, and any tools you use. Limit who can access critical information and keep sensitive data locked down to only those who need it.
Make sure you’ve got a backup and recovery plan
Back up your website and important data regularly, ideally, automatically and to a secure, offsite location. If something goes wrong, a recent backup can help you get back online quickly with minimal disruption.
Contact the authorities if things go wrong
If you suspect a security breach or become a victim of cybercrime, don’t hesitate to contact the relevant authorities. Reporting incidents helps protect your business and others, and you may receive guidance on how to recover quickly and safely.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers lots of handy advice on what to do in the event of cybercrime incidents.
