Website Security Basics – What Every Business Website Needs

Small businesses are the #1 target of cyberattacks. In 2025, 43% of breaches will hit SMBs, and the average cost of a breach is $200,000. Here are the essential security measures your website must have.

Why SSL Matters

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your site and visitors. Without it, Google marks your site as "Not Secure" and user data can be stolen.

Free SSL available via Let's Encrypt and Cloudflare
Renew certificates before they expire
Always redirect http:// to https://

Risk if missing: Customer data and logins can be intercepted.

🔴 No SSL = Major Risk

Without SSL, hackers can steal passwords, credit cards, and personal data. Google Chrome shows "Not Secure" warnings that scare away 85% of visitors.

Security Headers – Invisible But Critical

Your site should send special instructions (headers) with each page to protect visitors. The most important are:

HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security)

Forces browsers to use secure connections only. Prevents downgrade attacks.


            Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains

CSP (Content Security Policy)

Blocks malicious scripts and XSS attacks by controlling what resources can load.


            Content-Security-Policy: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'

X-Frame-Options

Prevents clickjacking attacks where your site is embedded in a malicious frame.


            X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN

X-Content-Type-Options

Stops MIME type confusion attacks that can execute malicious code.


            X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff

X-XSS-Protection

Enables browser's built-in cross-site scripting filter.


            X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block

Biggest Risks for Small Business Websites

⚠️ WordPress Admin Exposed

Problem: /wp-admin login page left open to the world
Risk: Brute force attacks trying thousands of passwords
Solution: Hide login page, use 2FA, limit login attempts

⚠️ Outdated Plugins or Themes

Problem: Known exploits remain unpatched
Risk: Hackers use automated tools to find vulnerable sites
Solution: Enable auto-updates, remove unused plugins

⚠️ No Backup Plan

Problem: No way to recover after ransomware or hacking
Risk: Complete loss of website and data
Solution: Automated daily backups stored offsite

Quick Security Checklist

SSL certificate installed and working
All pages redirect to HTTPS
Security headers configured
Admin pages protected/hidden
CMS and plugins up to date
Automated backups configured
Two-factor authentication enabled
Web application firewall (WAF) active

How to Fix Security Issues

Free Solutions

Cloudflare Free: SSL, basic firewall, DDoS protection
Let's Encrypt: Free SSL certificates
Wordfence (WordPress): Free security plugin with firewall
UpdraftPlus: Free backup plugin for WordPress

Paid Solutions (Worth It)

Sucuri ($199/year): Website firewall and malware removal
Cloudflare Pro ($20/mo): Advanced WAF and security
MalCare ($99/year): WordPress security and cleanup
SiteLock ($149/year): Daily scans and automatic fixes

💡 Pro Tip: Start with Cloudflare

The fastest way to improve security is to put your site behind Cloudflare (free). You'll get instant SSL, basic firewall protection, and DDoS protection. It takes 15 minutes to set up and costs nothing.

Check Your Website's Security in Seconds

Run a free scan to see if your SSL, headers, and admin pages are properly secured.

Run Free Security Scan