We’ve covered website security before, but with the continued rise in cybercrime, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Security threats are evolving, and even small vulnerabilities can lead to serious consequences.
Your website is more than just your online identity, it’s a key part of your brand, operations, and customer base – and in most cases – the first impression of your business that is seen by prospective customers. Whether you’re running a small business or managing an enterprise platform, websites are the prime targets for cyberattacks, so understanding common website security issues is essential to keeping your data, users, and reputation safe.
Here are a few of the most common website security vulnerabilities and what you can do to protect against them:
1. Plugins and Standard CMS Platforms
The Issue: Popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are attractive targets for attackers simply because they are so widely used. Their open-source nature and large plugin ecosystems make them flexible but also introduce risk. Many plugins, especially free or abandoned ones, can contain vulnerabilities or poor coding practices that expose your site to attacks. Using outdated CMS core files, themes, or plugins increases the likelihood of being targeted by automated bots looking for known weaknesses.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid relying on too many third-party plugins, especially those with low ratings or limited support. If your website build partner is heavily relying on plugins and themes, this is probably a red flag that they don’t understand or value website security in detail.
- Immediately remove any plugins or extensions that are no longer in use.
- Use only reputable plugins from trusted developers or marketplaces that you deem essential to your website’s needs.
- Harden your CMS by disabling unused features, restricting file permissions, and blocking access to sensitive system files (e.g., wp-config.php, .htaccess).
2. Weak Authentication and Password Policies
The Issue: Simple, reused, or predictable passwords are a major security risk. Many website breaches result from credential stuffing and brute-force attacks that target login pages using lists of common passwords or previously leaked credentials.
Prevention Tips:
- Enforce strong password requirements by encouraging the use of long, unique passphrases (e.g., a combination of unrelated words like “purple coffee ladder 2025”).
- Avoid short complex passwords that are difficult to remember but easy for bots to crack.
- Limit login attempts to block repeated failures and reduce brute-force risk.
- Monitor login activity for suspicious behavior, such as logins from unusual locations or devices.
- Update your CMS passwords every few months and whenever there is a changeover in staff.
3. SQL Injection
The Issue: If your website allows users to enter information, such as through contact forms, search boxes, or login pages, attackers can sometimes enter harmful code instead of normal text. If your website doesn’t know how to handle that safely, it could give them access to your database or sensitive information. This type of attack is commonly known as SQL Injection.
Prevention Tips:
- Make sure your website treats all user input carefully and does not trust it by default.
- Use safe coding methods that separate user input from your database commands.
- Avoid writing code that directly inserts user input into database queries.
- Work with an engineering team that understands secure coding practices.
4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
The Issue: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) happens when an attacker finds a way to add harmful code to your website, often through forms or comment sections. This code can then run in your visitors’ browsers without them knowing, which may lead to stolen login details, hijacked sessions, or broken pages.
Prevention Tips:
- Make sure your website checks and safely handles anything users type in, like comments or form entries.
- Use tools that help block suspicious activity, such as a website firewall.
- Set rules in your website’s settings to control which types of content are allowed to load, which helps stop harmful scripts from running.
5. Unsecured Data Transmission (No HTTPS)
The Issue: If your website doesn’t use HTTPS, the information people enter, like contact details or passwords, can be easily seen by others on the internet, especially when using public Wi-Fi. It’s like sending a postcard instead of a sealed envelope. Many modern browsers will not load websites that aren’t using HTTPS, giving you even more reason to ensure that your site is encrypted with a SSL certificate.
Prevention Tips:
- Use a security certificate (known as an SSL certificate) to protect your website and make sure it uses HTTPS.
- Set your website to always use the secure HTTPS version instead of the older, unprotected HTTP version.
- SSL Certificates expire after a few months or a year, so check your SSL certificate regularly to make sure it’s still valid and working correctly, and make sure you renew it before the expiry date.
6. Insecure File Uploads
The Issue: If your website lets people upload files like images or documents but doesn’t have the right safety checks, bad actors might upload harmful files that can damage your site or steal information.
Prevention Tips:
- Only allow certain types of files to be uploaded and set size and number limits so users cannot upload anything risky or too large.
- Automatically change the file names when files are uploaded to avoid confusion or conflicts, e.g. adding a time stamp to the file name.
- Keep uploaded files in a separate, secure part of your server that is not directly accessible from your website.
- Check all uploaded files for viruses or harmful content before allowing them on your computer or into your website.
7. Poor Access Controls and Permissions
The Issue: If too many people have full control over your website, or if user roles aren’t clearly separated, it increases the chance of mistakes or intentional damage happening.
Prevention Tips:
- Give people only the access they need to do their job, no more.
- Regularly check who has access and what level of control they have.
- Immediately remove an account that is no longer being used.
Final Thoughts
Website security isn’t something you set up once and forget but rather is an ongoing responsibility that requires regular attention. As cyber threats continue to evolve, your website defenses need to keep pace. By following the suggestions above and staying up to date with system patches and investing in proactive monitoring, you can significantly reduce the risk of attacks and keep both your website and your visitors safe.
If you’re unsure where to begin or want to ensure your website is fully protected, you can reach out to Code Brewery for help. We will review your website and provide you with a clear, actionable plan to strengthen your site’s security. We’re here to help you build a safer online presence so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.
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