Secure your website with strong passwords and privacy policies to protect user data.

Making your own website is a great way to express yourself and share your ideas with the world.

But it’s important to make sure your website is secure and private. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of website security and privacy, including how to get started, best practices, and examples.

Getting Started

The first step to making a secure and private website is to choose a hosting provider.

Look for a provider that offers secure hosting, such as SSL encryption, and a privacy policy that outlines how they protect your data.

Checklist to Make Your Website Secure

1. Ensure your website is running on the latest version of the software.
2. Implement a strong password policy.
3. Ensure all user accounts have strong passwords.
4. Enable two-factor authentication.
5. Ensure all software is up to date.
6. Ensure all plugins and themes are up to date.
7. Implement a web application firewall.
8. Ensure all user input is validated.
9. Ensure all user input is sanitized.
10. Ensure all sensitive data is encrypted.
11. Ensure all sensitive data is stored securely.
12. Ensure all sensitive data is transmitted securely.
13. Ensure all sensitive data is backed up regularly.
14. Ensure all user accounts are monitored.
15. Ensure all user accounts are audited regularly.
16. Ensure all user accounts are disabled after a certain period of inactivity.
17. Ensure all user accounts are disabled after a certain number of failed login attempts.
18. Ensure all user accounts are disabled after a certain number of successful login attempts.
19. Ensure all user accounts are disabled after a certain number of password reset attempts.
20. Ensure all user accounts are disabled after a certain number of password change attempts.

Tools to help you protect your cloud and payments infrastructure

• Quickbase — Quickbase, Inc., is a software company providing a low-code application development platforms.
• WeTransfer — WeTransfer is the simplest way to send your files around the world. Share large files and photos. Transfer up to 2GB free.
• Passpack — Passpack delivers a compelling value proposition for businesses as a platform-agnostic professional solution offering highly secure, organization-wide online password management.
• Informatica — As the industry leader in enterprise cloud data management, we’re prepared to help you intelligently lead—in any sector, category, or niche.
• Signifyd — Put CX at the heart of ecommerce operations. Strike the perfect balance between conversion and fraud prevention.
• Fraud.org — Fraud.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers recognize, report, and prevent fraud and scams. They provide resources to help people protect themselves and their families from fraud and scams.
• KeePass — KeePass is a free open source password manager. Passwords can be stored in an encrypted database, which can be unlocked with one master key.
• Compliance Solutions — Compliance Solutions is a leading provider of compliance solutions for businesses of all sizes. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including compliance consulting, training, and software solutions, to help organizations meet their regulatory requirements.
• AdsPower Anti-detect Browser — A powerful tool for multiaccounting, traffic arbitrage, SMM and affiliate marketing.
• Commvault Data Protection — Commvault provides comprehensive data protection solutions to help organizations protect, access, and use their data. Solutions include backup & recovery, cloud storage, archiving, and more. Get the data protection you need to stay secure and compliant.
• Adobe Acrobat — Adobe Acrobat is the world’s leading PDF solution. Create, edit, sign, and share PDFs faster and easier than ever. Get the most complete PDF solution to simplify your work and boost productivity.
• Avatier — Avatier is an identity and access management (IAM) platform that helps organizations securely manage user access to their systems. It provides automated user provisioning, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and more. It helps organizations reduce risk and improve compliance.
• SecureSafe — SecureSafe is a secure online storage solution that helps you protect your data with military-grade encryption. It offers secure file sharing, password management, and two-factor authentication to keep your data safe.
• Datafinder — Datafinder helps you find, monitor, and analyze public data to make better decisions, faster.
• Trend Micro — Discover complete, multi-device protection against viruses, ransomware, dangerous websites, and identity thieves.
• Ethoca — Join our secure global network of card issuers & merchants and prevent chargeback fraud for good. Reduce Chargeback Ratios & Recover Revenue with Ethoca.
• Auth0 — Rapidly integrate authentication and authorization for web, mobile, and legacy applications so you can focus on your core business.
• HelloSign — Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign) is the easiest way to send, receive and manage legally binding electronic signatures. Try it free!
• NortonLifeLock — Secure your digital life with NortonLifeLock™ – the world leader in digital safety & security products.
• Adeptia — Use Adeptia’s self-service integration solution to onboard faster, from months to minutes (80%), and provide delightful customer experiences.
• Kount — Kount is a fraud prevention platform that helps businesses protect their customers and their bottom line. It uses advanced machine learning and AI to detect and prevent fraud in real-time, helping businesses reduce chargebacks and increase revenue.
• M-Files — M-Files offers an innovative metadata-driven document management platform. M-Files gives midsize and enterprise businesses a leading edge.
• RoboForm — Multi-platform secure password manager. One click logins on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE, Opera, Edge, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
• HipChat — HipChat is a team communication tool that helps teams stay connected and productive. It offers real-time messaging, file sharing, video chat, and more, all in one place. It’s perfect for remote teams, distributed teams, and anyone who wants to stay connected.
• ClickUp™ — ClickUp’s mission is to make the world more productive – Tasks, Docs, Goals, and Chat.
• Telesign — APIs Delivering Global Verification and Programmable Communications as a service. SMS, Voice, and phone number intelligence solutions. Get started now.
• JotForm — We believe the right form makes all the difference. Go from busywork to less work with powerful forms that use conditional logic, accept payments, generate reports, and automate workflows.
• Bravura Security — Bravura Security delivers the industry’s only Identity, Privileged Access, Governance & Password Management solution & support services. Request a demo.
• Tresorit — Share files securely with anyone using encrypted cloud storage. Get the highest standard of data security in the cloud.
• Kaspersky Total Security — Kaspersky Total Security provides comprehensive protection for your devices, identity, and data. It includes antivirus, anti-ransomware, webcam protection, password manager, VPN, and more. Get the ultimate protection for your digital life.