Cyberattackers work tirelessly to find potential vulnerabilities to hack websites or networks. One simple mistake can lead to your site being in the hands of hackers. Therefore, it’s imperative to be extra vigilant in your steps when navigating the field of cybersecurity.

In this article, we will explore five common mistakes businesses make that make it easy for hackers to gain unauthorized access to their websites.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

#1: Having an insecure login page

The login page is the easiest target for cyber attackers. For most WordPress sites, you can easily access it by adding /wp-login.php/ in front of the website’s domain. After landing on the admin page, hackers can easily attack with a password-guessing attack. These attacks include automated machines that use thousands of password combinations to crack even complex passwords. If you use a simpler one, don’t even think about security cause common passwords can be broken in less than a second.

Easy fix

First and foremost, you must change the admin URL. Previously, we stated how hackers can easily jump on the gateway of your website just by changing the URL.

To make it more confidential, you should change the URL to something unguessable. For instance, changing it from /wp-login.php/ to /admin-login/will not help. Therefore, make sure it is something that can not be easily guessed. Also, you should avoid using very common keywords, such as admin, login, access, sign-in, etc.

Secondly, limit login attempts and implement multi-factor authentication. For WordPress websites, you can use a plugin like All-in-One Login that offers complete login page security, including the aforementioned features.

#2: Using outdated or nulled software

Using outdated software is basically the equivalent of an open invitation to hackers. Around 65% of businesses running outdated software experienced breaches. As discussed earlier, cyberattackers work tirelessly to find vulnerabilities in common software, operating systems, plugins, addons, or any piece of code.

Another common mistake businesses make is using nulled software. These software are often injected with malicious scripts and crawl to any device using them. As they say, “If you don’t pay for the product, you are the product.”

Easy fix

Use automated downloads for updates. Most content management systems, like WordPress, allow automatic updates, ensuring the plugin or the addon will be updated as soon as an update is available. Newer updates bring patches for known vulnerabilities and loopholes, making it difficult for hackers to attack. Not only plugins or addons but also keep a sharp eye on your operating system and every software you use to keep your business up and running.

Next, avoid using nulled software. Usually, hackers list them on the internet as bait to lure users in order to hack them. Also, avoid pesky salespersons offering too-good-to-be-true deals. Buying $500 worth of software for $50 will not yield great results in the long run. These software are also infected with malicious code, causing great harm to the device and the user.

#3: Responding to unknown emails

Social engineering is one of the most common forms of cyberattacks; it’s when hackers manipulate the victim into giving their sensitive information or complete control over their computer system, which is then used to steal their sensitive information or inject malicious scripts.

The most common type of social engineering is phishing attacks. It is when hackers pose as security officials or someone with power and ask for your sensitive information, such as login credentials or social security details. Although it seems straightforward, many fall for it. It is reported that phishing attacks are responsible for over 36% of data breaches.

Easy fix

Learn to recognize the patterns of social engineering attacks. Many times, hackers do not speak English as their first language. Thus, these emails are prone to grammatical errors or incorrect sentence structure.

Another sign that screams inauthenticity is hackers offering deals that are difficult to turn down or simply unreal. Don’t be surprised if you see one offering a million in exchange for opening a website.

Additionally, never ever download an attachment coming in from an unknown sender. These files begin their operations upon clicking. Therefore, do not interact with such emails and especially refrain from clicking a link or filling out a form.

#4: Neglecting employee training

Employee training is another vital aspect of online security. Corporations that neglected it had severe consequences. For instance, the infamous Solarwind experience, where the business was hacked because an intern used a weak password. Similarly, your business can be the next if you neglect this key component.

Easy fix

Train your employees and team and keep them informed about cybersecurity’s best practices and trends. Ensure you and your team do not use the same passwords but unique and strong credentials for every account.

Additionally, educate employees on recognizing phishing emails, social engineering tactics, and other threats. Conducting regular security awareness training, including simulated phishing exercises, can help prepare your team to identify and prevent attacks before they happen in real.

Lastly, implement a policy that limits access to sensitive data based on role necessity. Simply put, implement the rule of least privilege. Employees should only have access to the data and systems required for their jobs. This minimizes risk in case of an insider threat.

#5: Not having proper website backups

No matter how many security measures you take, there is always a risk of cyberattacks. A well-prepared website should have a proper backup plan. Many businesses make the mistake of not backing up their website regularly, leaving them vulnerable to complete data loss if an attack occurs.

Easy fix

Schedule automatic backups for your website. Most hosting providers and WordPress backup plugins offer automated backup solutions that save copies of your website automatically. These backups should be stored both on-site and on cloud storage for extra security.

In addition, periodically test your backups by restoring them to ensure they function properly. A backup is only useful if it actually works when you need it.

Final Words

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires proactive measures. By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the fixes mentioned above, you can significantly reduce the chances of your website falling into the wrong hands.

Stay vigilant, update your software regularly, implement robust security practices to protect your login page, don’t respond to suspicious emails, and don’t forget to create regular backups!