A common topic on YouTube and featured on discussion websites like Reddit, cyber criminality is on the rise as society becomes more reliant on the online world. Whether it’s an online gaming destination or a social media account, people everywhere are coming under attack from hackers and malware. Sadly, it’s a common occurrence in the modern environment.
For bloggers, cybercrime is a real threat that needs to be guarded against. Blogs are an important part of a business’s website, while millions of people around the world make serious money from their blogging escapades. For instance, the blog section of a trading platform provides valuable information to traders and investors, teaching them everything from how to trade currencies to the important terms in the industry. Likewise, fashion bloggers share fascinating information about sustainability in the fashion industry and the best brands to endorse. These popular areas of interest are under threat, though.
In fact, there are over 30,000 websites that are hacked on a daily basis, with cybercrime costing the world an astonishing $10.5 trillion a year. In 2022 alone, the entire cost of cyberattacks was an estimated $6 trillion. It’s a massive problem that is only going to get worse, particularly as hacking groups grow, new malware continues to be created, and more concerning methods that hackers employ continue to emerge.
Thankfully, for bloggers, there are plenty of ways to protect a blog from security threats. Whether it’s from viruses or adware, some of the biggest blogs on the internet are taking steps to add additional layers of security and keep any hackers at bay in the process. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
Backing up a website is vitally important
First and foremost, it’s important to note that sometimes the hackers win. As such, it’s paramount that any bloggers are prepared should the worst happen. If your website is hacked, then backing it up and reverting to the backup will enable you to get your blog back up and running in the process. While this particular piece of advice won’t keep hackers at bay, it will make sure the hacker doesn’t get too much of a win and provide you with an opportunity to restore your blog should you come under attack.
Password attacks are worth guarding against
With big businesses spending an increasing amount of money on keeping their online assets safe, online criminals are now focusing on the growing blogging industry in more detail. This is obviously a concern for bloggers, particularly as millions of blog owners generate their income through their thriving blog communities. The notable growth in this area, though, has resulted in blogs becoming a prime target for hackers, with many online criminals realising that bloggers don’t always have the expertise or the resources to combat certain attacks.
One attack that is an issue for many bloggers is a password attack, a simple but highly effective tactic criminals use to access online profiles, networks, and more. Having a hard-to-crack password is a solution here, with many people using password managers to not only store their passwords but also to come up with safer passwords. A password manager can essentially help a blog owner fight against harmful malware attacks, ransomware, and even data theft, as it makes a hacker’s job a lot harder.
Run a blog security audit
Another important thing to do here is to run a blog security audit, something that will enable you to review your blog’s security and implement any necessary changes in the process. After all, many blog owners aren’t actually aware of just how easy it is for their online haven to be compromised, with many established blogs containing an abundance of security vulnerabilities. As such, gaining a clearer understanding of your blog’s security by running a security audit can really make a massive difference. For instance, look at whether or not your website has an SSL certificate, an indicator that your connection is secure. Additionally, check any login activity to make sure that no one has attempted to log in with the intent of wreaking havoc on your beloved blog. Likewise, change your default login URLs to a more unique option while also assessing your plugins and updating the vitally important antivirus software you use. These key steps many bloggers take make a hacker’s job a lot harder and can make a massive difference in keeping your blog safe and secure.
Make sure some important basics are in place
Once you’ve gained a clearer understanding of the security of your blog, it’s important to act on any potential weaknesses and make sure some important basics are carried out. For many bloggers, enabling HTTPS encryption is a must as it prevents data interceptions and connection interruptions while transferring any important data. The aforementioned tweaking your login URL is another go-to measure many bloggers take, particularly as hackers aim to access these types of pages. These basic methods you can employ can make a big difference to the security of your blog.
Update all software and more
In the same way, your home’s rusty locks might need changing, or a loose window lock could be a burglar’s dream; leaving old software on a website is a surefire way to pique the interest of hackers. As such, updating your website’s software is vitally important, with providers typically sharing new patches and updates that fight against any vulnerabilities. You should also delete any untrusted or unused and outdated plugins, as they’re a dream for hackers, while also making sure that any themes you’ve added to your site aren’t providing malicious access to your blog. It can happen, and somewhat alarmingly, there has been growth around untrustworthy themes that website owners think are making their blogs look slick but actually leave them susceptible to malicious attacks. Also, ensure you’re using a secure hosting service with strong security features and consider adopting two-factor authentication methods to create another layer of security.
