Website Security: How to Keep Your Business Safe Online

By Thom Harrison - April 9, 2025

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

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.

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 attachments or links that, when opened, can infect your device.

A simple tip: set your device to show file type extensions and check them before opening anything. If ‘CuteKittensPic’ is a .exe, rather than a .jpg or .png, it’s not a good idea to open it!

4: Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. Refuse to pay, and you could lose everything. Scanning with security software can detect and remove threats before they cause harm. Some firewalls also offer built-in malware scanning for extra protection.

Avoid downloading files from sites without an SSL Certificate—it’s like leaving your front door open. SSL encrypts data between your device and the site. Look for the padlock or “HTTPS” in the address bar. No padlock? No download. Unsecured sites are also bad for business, as search engines tend to ignore them.

5: Denial of Service

A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack overwhelms a system with too much traffic, making it hard or impossible for real users to access a website or network. This can crash systems and disrupt business. A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack is even worse, using multiple computers to send fake traffic. These attacks are used by hackers to extort companies, terrorist groups, and even by naughty national governments!

6: Website Tampering

Website tampering is when an attacker messes with your site’s content or functions. This could be harmless digital graffiti, or it could involve malicious code, stolen data, or full control of your site. Any of these can harm your business and customers. Regular backups and security updates help reduce the risks.

7: Man-in-the-Middle

A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack happens when a hacker secretly intercepts data between two parties — like when you’re using unsecured public Wi-Fi. That’s why it’s so important always to use secure, encrypted connections (look for “HTTPS”) when sharing any personal data online.

8: Code Injections

Much worse than a jab in the arm before a holiday, code injections refer to a range of attacks that involve placing malicious code in a system to get access. They might inject malicious scripts into a site that can steal user information or redirect visitors to dangerous places. Nasty.

9: Zero Day Exploits

A Zero-Day Exploit is a newly discovered security flaw that hackers use before a fix is available — that is, before the software maker has chance to release a patch or update to fix it.

The 2024 CrowdStrike Windows update was one such example, causing chaos within hours of release. Microsoft estimates that 8.5 million computers worldwide were disabled due to the global IT outage caused by this flaw.

10: Social Engineering via social media

Social engineering is when attackers impersonate employees, customers, or businesses. On social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter, that might mean using fake profiles or targeted messages to trick people into sharing sensitive information or giving access to company systems and data.

Tips to help defend your online business

✓ Lock down your accounts with strong passwords and 2FA

You’ve heard it before, but it really is so important to use strong and unique passwords. Hackers often use so-called “brute force” attacks to try thousands of common passwords per minute. To make your passwords tougher, mix letters, numbers, symbols, and different cases. Make sure everyone in your business follows suit, too. A password manager (like Google Password Manager) can help keep your login details organised and secure.

Adding 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) gives you even more security. That means even if a hacker manages to guess your password, they’ll need an extra code (like one sent to your phone) to break in. This extra step makes it much harder for attackers to access your accounts.

✓ Secure your website with an SSL Certificate

SSL certificates act like security badges for a website. More than that, they work to encrypt data, switching your site to HTTPS, which shows visitors their information is safe. If your business handles sensitive details like credit card information, an SSL is a must. It’s like a restaurant proudly showing off their hygiene rating—would you trust one without it?

Avoid downloading files from sites without SSL. If you see a padlock or “HTTPS” in the address bar, you’re good to go. Without it, search engines might even bury your site. SSL also boosts your Google rankings, so it’s worth the effort.

✓ Keep Your Software Up to Date

Hackers love outdated software because it’s full of security holes. Make sure your website, plugins, and systems are up-to-date to avoid giving hackers an easy entry. You can set updates to run automatically, so you don’t have to think about it.

✓ Secure your Wi-Fi network

It sounds basic, but a lot of attacks start from a poorly protected Wi-Fi network. Always use strong encryption (like WPA3), set a complex password, and avoid using default router settings.

✓ Shield your connection with a firewall

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is like a digital bouncer for your site. It blocks bad traffic before it can cause harm. Some WAFs are excellent for stopping DDoS attacks, while others focus on blocking bots or filtering malicious content.

✓ Educate and train employees when it comes to security

Your team is your first line of defence. Teach them how to spot phishing emails, use strong passwords, and avoid risky downloads. Regular training sessions ensure everyone stays sharp and aware of the latest threats. The more your team knows, the less likely they’ll fall victim to cyberattacks.

✓ Stay on top of privacy settings

Encourage your employees and customers to tighten privacy settings on social media. The less personal information that’s out there, the harder it is for attackers to get what they need.

Not everyone needs full access to everything. Set user roles carefully so staff only see what they need to.

✓ Make sure you’ve got a backup and recovery plan

Things go wrong — so be ready. Back up your website regularly and have a clear plan for restoring data if disaster strikes. Store backups securely (not just on the same system) and test recovery steps to avoid surprises. With a solid backup plan, even the worst cyberattack won’t keep you down for long.

✓ Contact the authorities

If your website gets hit with a serious attack, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers lots of useful guidance on what to do in the event of cybercrime incidents. Reporting them can also help protect other businesses.

✓ Add an extra layer of protection

If you’re a 123 Reg domain holder, you can keep help to keep your personal details hidden from prying eyes with Domain Ownership Protection. DOP replaces your information in the WHOIS database (a public directory of domain owners) with proxy details, keeping your identity safe and reducing spam. Added to that, 2-Step Verification adds an extra layer of security when transferring or updating your domain.

Wrap up

Keeping your online business safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart steps and the right tools, it’s possible to keep your website secure and your business up and running. A little effort now can save a lot of trouble later.