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Guide

Small Website Security Checklist

Building a website, even a small one, can open it up to security risks. Here’s a quick checklist to help you protect your site and your visitors’ data.

1. HTTPS – The Foundation

  • What it is: HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts the data traveling between your website and a user’s browser. This prevents eavesdropping and tampering.
  • You need it: Absolutely essential for any website, regardless of size.
  • How to get it: Most web hosting providers offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. Install it through your hosting control panel.

2. Secrets – Keep Them Safe

  • Database Credentials: Never, ever hardcode your database username and password directly into your website’s code.
  • API Keys: Similarly, protect API keys (for services like Google Maps, Twitter, etc.). Store them securely – ideally using environment variables.
  • Configuration Files: Secure any configuration files containing sensitive information. Limit access to these files.

3. Dependencies – Manage Carefully

  • What are they? Your website likely uses external libraries (dependencies) to add functionality (e.g., JavaScript libraries, frameworks).
  • Keep them updated: Regularly update your dependencies to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Use a package manager: Employ a package manager (like npm for JavaScript) to manage your dependencies and track updates.

4. Input Validation – Stop Bad Data

  • What is it? Input validation checks that data entered by users is what you expect it to be – the right format, length, and type.
  • Why it’s important: Prevents attackers from injecting malicious code (like SQL injection or cross-site scripting).
  • How to do it: Sanitize all user inputs on both the client-side (for a better user experience) and server-side (for security).

5. Backups – Disaster Recovery

  • Regular Backups: Back up your website files and database regularly.
  • Offsite Storage: Store backups in a separate location from your website’s server – this protects against server failures or attacks that could wipe out your site.
  • Test Restores: Periodically test your backup restoration process to ensure it works correctly

This guide was drafted with AI assistance and passed an automated accuracy and safety review. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.