10 Ways to Enhance Your Blog Security

Choosing a good blogging platform and creating a website and a personal blog is quite easy these days—millions of people use them to promote their businesses or write about their personal interests. But one of the things that comes with this ease is a considerable challenge that anyone with a website faces: blog security. 

Hackers, scammers, and other cybercriminals use sophisticated technology to access vital information that no one wants to be stolen or compromised in any way. A hacked blog or website could mean lost income, productivity, and time. 

But what can blog security offer you, and how can you ensure it?

Defining Blog Security

Blog security is an important element of holistic cyber security. It refers to the processes and practices that protect digital and online networks from cyberattacks, hacking, and unauthorized access.

It mainly focuses on protecting a personal website's security information, but the techniques are similar to internet security in general. 

Here are some strategies to protect your website blog data:

10 Ways to Enhance Blog Security

1. Choose a Secure and Trusted Web Host

Choose a web host that provides high security for all their hosting plans. They must have robust security features even for entry-level plans and basic blogs. This is especially important if you share server space with other website owners. 

Check for the following:

• Secure file transfer protocol (SFTP)

• Rootkit Scanner

• Backup services

• Regular security upgrades

• FTP Use (Unknown User should be disabled)

2. Use a VPN 

As a blog owner, you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. However, public WiFi networks like the ones provided in coffee shops and co-working spaces are hotbeds for cyber attacks. Without additional protection, unencrypted online traffic data is visible to anyone, increasing the risk of hacking and phishing. 

To protect your data, make use of a VPN connection that conceals your data traffic and protects it from external security threats. A good VPN like NordVPN will protect your browsing activity and prevent malicious third parties from accessing or manipulating your blog. 

3. Use a Security Plugin

This is another essential element of blog security. Some plugins are free, while others can be installed at an affordable rate. You only need to download the plugin and adjust the settings for each page of your blog or website. 

You can protect the information for each page on your blog and even “hide” your login URL so cybercriminals can’t hack your website. This prevents malicious third parties from using stolen information to log into your site. 

4. Set a Limit for Logins

You can also limit the number of times someone can log into your website admin dashboard. There are hacking programs that will attempt an unlimited number of times to hack into a system. 

If you set a limit, users will be locked out after a number of attempts, so your system will remain secure. 

5. Update Software and Plugins Regularly

Hackers and bots are constantly scanning sites for a chance to take advantage of outdated software and plugins. Regularly updating your system and plugins can ensure your site is protected from the latest cyber threats and schemes. 

These updates include new security guidelines and vulnerability fixes. Some platforms automatically update plugins and security settings, but you should always check your own system and keep them up-to-date. 

6. Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a site protocol that transfers information securely. It can help prevent interruptions and interceptions during data transfer.

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is another site protocol that transfers the user’s personal information between a website and a database. It encrypts all data and protects it from being hacked or accessed during transit. 

An SSL certificate is crucial if you ask your blog readers to register, sign up, or complete a transaction, such as online payments and deliveries. It ensures the safety of the personal data they share with you.

7. Use Strong Passwords

Create a unique password for each of your logins to keep them safe in the event of a security breach. Do not use the same password for multiple email addresses and connected accounts. This is the best way to secure your online content and personal data from various threats. If one account is compromised, the breach will be isolated and will not trigger a cascade of hacks because of common passwords.

Use 12 to 14 letters and numbers and combine them in ways that are difficult for anyone to guess or remember. Alternate between uppercase and lowercase letters and insert special characters. Avoid using birthdays, names, or any significant dates related to you or your close family and friends. 

Change your passwords every three months so you will leave little chance for hackers to compromise your website. 

8. Backup Your Website Data Regularly

This may not directly increase your blog security, yet, in case your system is hacked, you can rest easy knowing your work is preserved, and you can quickly recover the most recent version of your website or blog. 

You can also use the following strategies to protect your data from being hacked:

• Keep your website or blog information off-site. Store your backups in physical hard drives instead of on the same servers as your blog. 

• Keep a website backup on your home computer hard drive. Use an off-site location to store your backup data. This could be on a separate hard drive or cloud storage in a different server or account. 

• Automate website data backups. You can schedule your data backups to ensure an easy recovery process if a cyber security event occurs. 

9. Always Know Your Web Server Configuration Files

Knowing your web server configuration files allows you to find the root web directory. These files give you permission to administer server rules and directives that will improve your blog or website security. 

10. Use a Firewall

If you have a website or blog, you can apply for a web application firewall. It establishes a barrier between the server and the connection, allowing all data to be checked before it goes to your site. 

You can prevent all hacking attempts, spam, and unwanted online traffic from entering your website and blog. 

Enhancing your Blog Security is Easy…If You Have the Right Tools

You don’t have to be a cyber security expert to protect your blog or website. You only need a bit of knowledge and the right tools to secure your data and prevent hackers and cyber threats from compromising your hard work.