Do you want to skip the read and get right to my top pick? The best Website Security for most people is Sucuri.
Introduction: Why Invest in the Best Website Security Tools?
Why do you need the best security for websites?
You seem to hear more about website attacks nowadays than at any other time. And these aren't just minor attacks. We're talking about global sites with millions of users shutting down instantly. Indeed, hackers, site-jackers (those who deploy ransomware and/or malware), and denial of service (DDoS attacks) run rampant.
Experts from IBM noted that hacked websites and data leaks cost small businesses and companies around $4.24 million last year and $3.86 million. And the numbers may grow higher this year as the cost of dealing with the fallout of cyberattacks can be higher than the projected $6 trillion.
Likewise, since the pandemic shifted workspaces from offices to homes, companies find themselves challenged as to how to implement company-wide digital security measures – often to no avail.
But losing money from attacks or even the inability to implement widespread security measures are just two of the many potential effects of threats to web security. Companies that are under constant attack yet fail to ramp up their protective measures can end up being blocked online. This is because Google and Bing block compromised sites to protect other users. Imagine how that can tarnish a company's reputation over time!
What is the importance of web security, what threats you need to look out for, what you need to do to protect your site from them or to do damage control, and what best practices should be in place.
Best Website Security Tools and Services:
We've curated the list of the best security for websites you can get your hands on. Here are the top picks:
| Ranking | Key Features | Starting Price | My View | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Sucuri | Malware cleanup, DDoS protection, blacklist removal, WAF, free plugin | Starting at $199.99/year Check Pricing | Best for comprehensive website security with robust protection | Try for Free |
| 2. iThemes Security | Brute force protection, file change detection, 404 detection, strong password enforcement | Starting at $80/year Check Pricing | Best for WordPress sites, with comprehensive security features | Try for Free |
| 3. Jetpack | Downtime monitoring, brute force protection, spam filtering, backups | Starting at $99/year Check Pricing | Best for WordPress sites needing security and performance features | Jetpack Security |
| 4. Wordfence | WAF, malware scanner, login security, live traffic | Starting at $99/year Check Pricing | Best for WordPress sites requiring comprehensive security | Try for Free |
| 5. Cloudflare | DDoS protection, WAF, CDN, SSL, Free Plans | Starting at $240/month Check Pricing | Best for sites needing security and performance improvements | Try for Free |
| 6. SiteLock | Daily scanning, automatic malware removal, WAF, DDoS protection | Starting at $149.99/year Check Pricing | Best for small businesses requiring comprehensive website protection | Try for Free |
| 7. MalCare | Instant malware removal, firewall, login protection, site hardening | Starts at $99/year Check Pricing | Best for WordPress website owners seeking ease-of-use. | Try for Free |
| 8. Astra Security | WAF, malware removal, blacklist monitoring, security audit | Starting at $228/year Check Pricing | Best for eCommerce sites, provides a comprehensive security suite | Try for Free |
| 9. All In One WP Security | Login lockdown, security scanner, firewall, backup | Free Check Pricing | Best for WordPress sites needing a free, comprehensive security solution | Try for Free |
| 10. BulletProof Security | Login security, database backup, anti-spam, firewall | Starting at $69.95 one-time payment Check Pricing | Best for WordPress sites looking for robust security features at a reasonable price | Try for Free |
What is Website Security?
Before we delve deeper into the best security for websites, first let's define website security. The technical definition of the best website security is that it encompasses measures meant to protect personal, institutional, corporate, and commercial websites from a whole host of online attacks perpetrated either by individuals or digitally deployed bots.
Damage caused by such attacks may include any of the following:
- Defacement and/or malicious alteration of the content on a website;
- Denials of service leading to the unavailability of websites for a protracted amount of time;
- Compromise of sensitive user and/or corporate information that could be used to blackmail individuals or pirate ideas that are potentially lucrative;
- External attacks could take control away from site administrators in a situation similar to a parasitic attack; and
- Sites could be used as staging points for more widespread attacks.
Any and all of these website security issues can compromise a company's profitability. It could ruin individual's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Therefore, to avoid damaging their reputation in the long term, you should invest in the best website security tools in the market.
What are the Most Common Website Security Threats?
To understand the website security basics, let's talk threats. There are numerous threats currently out there these days, but many of them will fall under three specific categories. These are:
- Phishing;
- Ransomware; and
- Cloud-based attacks.
Phishing
You need to guard against phishing to guarantee the best security for websites.
Phishing is defined as a threat wherein perpetrators send emails mimicking missives from trusted sources as a way to trick people into sharing sensitive information. Links are inserted into the missive. Clicking them could siphon out one's information. They could also infect their website with malware (thus infecting other users' online entities.)
Phishing was an offshoot of spam, but as a destructive threat, it became one of the most widespread in recent years. Indeed, experts say that phishing attacks were up by 600% since the pandemic began in 2020.
A phishing email could look like a letter from one's bank, credit card provider, insurance company, or any other entity one would normally trust. However, there are ways by which one can tell that the message that they got isn't kosher. These include the following:
- Wrong grammar, misspelled words, and multiple typographical errors from a company that is usually stringent when it comes to sending notices to users;
- The use of sticky caps or different fonts in the subject line of an email;
- “Http” and not “https” in the URLs of the links peppered through the message; and
- Obvious demands for personal information.
Keep in mind that legitimate entities will not ask for your personal/sensitive information through an unsolicited email, phone call, or text message. That, in and of itself, is already a red flag.
Ransomware
Running into ransomware online is like finding yourself or a loved one being taken hostage or kidnapped for ransom. In this type of cyberattack, hackers use encryption to lock a person's computer. It also attacks the backend of a website or even the entire network of a major corporation.
In the field of best website security, ransomware attacks involve a threat to destroy data and systems. This stays unless you pay a ransom – often in the form of cryptocurrency these days.
According to the National Cyber Security Center in the United Kingdom, ransomware attacks have tripled since 2019 and the total damage expected from such attacks may go as high as $265 billion over the next ten years.
Infected email attachments spread ransomware by activating the malware. Hence, it would be best to have an email provider that has an antivirus installed or has security measures in place to filter out suspicious material.
The totality of the damage caused by this issue should convince you to get the best security for websites.
Cloud-based Attacks
Over the past year, the increasing reliance on cloud-based applications and services have led to a 630% increase in cloud-deployed attacks.
Like first- and second-generation cyberattacks, these include Trojan attacks, spyware, and cross-site scripting (XSS.) But these also include the likes of malicious SQL injections and distributed denials of service.
Fortunately, most cloud-based attacks can be staved off by improving any security measures set in place.
What are the Most Common Website Security Measures?
You can protect your site and digital assets from cyberattacks in several ways.
Best Website Security Tip #1:
Secure your domain ecosystems by reviewing registrar and Domain Name System (DNS) records throughout your domain. If necessary, make it a point to change all default passwords supplied by the domain registrar you signed up with as these are not secure and can easily be decrypted. In this case, getting a free SSL certificate helps. The secure sockets layer (SSL) is a protocol for browsers and servers so that all data sent over the Web is authenticated, encrypted and decrypted. Likewise, it helps to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) measures and to monitor certificate transparency logs regularly;
Best Website Security Tip #2:
Make it a point to secure all user accounts on your domain by changing all default usernames and passwords into unique entities. If need be, enforce an MFA policy on all internet-accessible accounts, particularly for those with greater access privileges;
Best Website Security Tip #3:
Make it a point to be constantly on the lookout for critical and high vulnerabilities. Get a website security solution that monitors your site constantly so that you can catch attacks before they can be deployed. It also allows you to take immediate remedial action. This can include the installation and implementation of patches for all vulnerabilities on internet-accessible systems. It also involves the replacement of obsolete hardware and software, as well as enabling automatic security updates; and
Best Website Security Tip #4:
Ensure that all your web assets (servers, applications, and data) are secure at all times. It may seem tedious, but keeping security checklists enables you to keep a regular tab on things. Likewise, measures like regular configuration audits, network segmentation and segregation, and the proper archiving of assets go a long way. They can ensure the best security for websites by protecting the security and integrity of your website and other digital entities.
Are There Any Best Website Security Best Practices?
Over the years, internet and digital security companies have devised a number of best practices when it comes to protecting the digital assets of both individuals and corporations. Among those most commonly implemented to ensure the best security for websites are the following:
- Everyone in the organization should be part of network security practices. Just because your company has an information security team does not mean that you don't have a part to play in ensuring the continuing integrity of your digital assets. No: companies need to ensure that even those on the lower rungs of the corporate ladder should have adequate cybersecurity knowledge. Your employees need to know the relevance of SSL, content delivery network CDN, and how to protect IP addresses. They should also ensure that they and proactive in implementing and practicing cybersecurity policies;
- Have a strong cybersecurity framework with a flexible cyber incident response plan and the necessary checklists. All these need to be planned and implemented. Website monitoring has to be performed in a strategic and timely fashion;
- Automate and integrate security tools in practically all applicable areas to ensure the smooth and efficient running of cybersecurity systems;
- For software developers/development firms, make it a point to follow secure development practices at all times, even for the most routine tests; and
- Diversify your security measures. In doing so, you will be able to strategize, develop, and deploy effective solutions/counterattacks against threats whenever – and wherever – necessary.
FAQ:
What is a website security audit?
It refers to the process of analysing files, plugins, and website core to identify areas of potential threats and vulnerabilities in your site. It could include penetration and configuration tests and dynamic code analysis.
What is a website vulnerability scanner?
It is one of many website security testing tools that can detect security loopholes and vulnerabilities in Internet-based apps.
That's all for now:
If you've read all the way through this best website security guide for small businesses, we are thankful. We hope you can now answer the question of why you should invest in the best security for websites! We have a large collection of articles, guides, and comparison reviews of eCommerce solutions, web hosting providers, website builders, and more! Feel free to check them out;
- Best website builder programs
- Best website builders for authors
- Best website builder app
- Best website builder for affiliate marketing
- Best website builder in UK
Please share any comments below!