Website Security: How to Keep Your Business Safe Online
From fresh startups to big brands, the threat of cyberattacks looms large for online businesses. Cybercriminals are getting smarter — often targeting websites in ways that small businesses struggle to spot or stop. You may not realise what’s happened until it’s too late. When it comes to online security, taking action early is the best way to stay ahead. Simple steps, like setting up an SSL certificate or using a firewall, can help to protect your site and customer data. A small investment now could save lots of stress in the long run. The importance of website security | What is website security? | Why website security matters | Why hackers target small businesses | Top 10 security threats to your online business | Tips to help defend your online business The importance of website security Suppose you’re the proud owner of a successful online business — or perhaps you’re already there. An established name in your area, you’re trusted by customers for great products and friendly service. Your business thrives on the customer data built up through online orders. You’ve even got customer details saved in a loyalty program to keep them coming back. One day, disaster strikes: You log in to find an online attack has put a lock on your system. Your website goes down. Customer info vanishes. You can no longer take online orders. Without your usual tools for success, you struggle to keep up. Sales plummet. Customers worry about their data. And on top of it all, the attackers demand a hefty ransom for the return of your files. This all goes to show just how much a cyberattack can shake up a small business, and how it’s so important to stay secure. What is website security? Website security is about keeping your website safe from online threats. The aim is to lock your website down so that nobody out there can sneak in, swipe data, wreak havoc, or otherwise throw a spanner in the works. In short, it’s about protecting both your business and your customers — keeping your online brand and all its data safe and secure. Why does website security matter? Websites hold valuable data — customer details, payment info, personal records. Without strong security, they’re vulnerable to malware, hacking, and spam, making it easy for data to fall into the wrong hands. The government’s 2024 Cyber security breaches survey found that nearly half of UK businesses experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year, costing businesses over £30 billion. That’s an average of £10,000 per company. Ransomware remains one of the biggest threats. According to latest Sophos State of Ransomware Report, 59% of organisations were hit in the past year. 70% of attacks then led to data being encrypted, making it inaccessible. The security of a website plays a huge role in the reputation of the business itself. Poor security can make customers think twice before doing business with you. 41% of UK consumers say they’d stop spending money with a company that’s suffered a data breach. To sum it up, here’s why website security is a big deal: Protecting information: Websites store lots of important data. Strong security stops hackers from swiping or misusing that data. Keeping the business running: A hacked website can lead to downtime, lost sales, and a damaged reputation. Good security keeps things running smoothly and minimises risks. Building consumer trust: People want to know their data to be safe. A secure website gives them peace of mind, making them more likely to do business with you. Added to this, poor security can even hurt your search engine rankings. Google favours secure websites, so if yours isn’t up to scratch, it could get pushed down the results or even flagged as unsafe. Fewer visitors, fewer customers. See also: How Can I Get My Business Found on Google? Why hackers target small businesses While attacks on big businesses often make the news, it’s smaller companies that are hit the hardest. For many hackers, smaller business sites are low-hanging fruit — an easier proposition than the big corporations. Big companies have cybersecurity teams and big budgets to protect their systems. Smaller businesses usually don’t have the same level of protection, making them an easier target. A successful attack can steal customer data, lock you out of your systems, or shut your website down altogether. Recovery isn’t just costly — it takes time. Some businesses take weeks to bounce back, and even then, the damage to customer trust can be hard to fix. For small businesses, it can be a nightmare. With that, let’s look at some of the tricks these cybercriminals get up to. 10 security threats to online business 1: Phishing Phishing is when scammers impersonate trusted sources to steal sensitive information like credit card details. The word comes from the idea of casting a wide net to catch unsuspecting victims. This is a form of social engineering, where attackers use fake scenarios or rewards to trick people. These scams existed before the internet but have become far more common online. Chances are you’ve encountered a phishing email — perhaps even today. It’s the most common form of cyberattack, which is why all 123 Reg Professional Email plans feature built-in spam protection. 2: Credential Theft Credential theft happens when hackers steal login details to access a company’s system. Unlike a data breach, which exploits system weaknesses, credential theft relies on stolen usernames and passwords. Brute force attacks use automated tools to guess passwords, often targeting weak or reused ones. It’s not just about the system being hacked — if employees use the same password for their phone, home PC, and work accounts, it’s a recipe for disaster. 3: Malware Malware is a catch-all term for harmful software — viruses, worms, trojans, spyware—that steals data, damages systems, or just set out to cause chaos. Be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links from unknown sources. Phishing emails often contain dodgy