A blog is one of the most precious digital assets a company has in 2017. It provides SEO value, engages customers, and pushes site visitors through the conversion funnel. But a blog can also be a magnet for malicious behavior and external threats, which is why businesses really need to hunker down on blog security in the coming months.
Heres How You Can Protect Your Blog
Protecting your blog is a lot like protecting your home. There are many different entry points through which hackers can enter your blog and youll have to account for all of them in order to fully protect your investment.
Here are some of the most important things you can do to get started.
1. Choose the Right CMS Platform
Blogging security all starts with the CMS platform youre using to run your blog. If youre using a platform with a questionable history of website security, then dont be surprised when you discover that your blog isnt as safe as youd like.
By far, the most secure platform is WordPress. When you set up your blog with WordPress, you can rest assured knowing that youre relying on a platform that millions of people use. As a result, security updates are continually coming out and you dont have to worry about loopholes and other issues that go undetected with less popular platforms.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Did you know that most blogs are hacked through the simple method of cracking the admin password and logging in the same way that you do on a daily basis? You may think they use complicated methods, but many hackers arent as sophisticated as you might think.
The best way to protect your blog against this type of hacking is by using a two-factor authentication system. This is simply a method that requires the individual accessing the account to know something and have something. You have to enter a password and then enter a unique pin thats sent to a mobile device to verify the password. If youre using WordPress, this is fairly easy to set up.
3. Regularly Review Blog Content
You should start developing the habit of regularly reviewing your blog content to check for issues. Sometimes hackers will actually access your blog without you knowing it and then change text, code, and files around to accomplish whatever it is they want to do. Unless you take the time to spot check, you could miss this.
4. Delete Outdated or Unused Plugins
Plugins are great. You can find plugins to improve the design, usability, and SEO of your blog. However, they also come with some risks. Each time you attach a plugin to your blog, youre opening up a new channel through which someone (or something) could potentially access your site. If you have outdated plugins or ones that you dont use any longer go ahead and get rid of them.
5. Keep Your CMS Version Updated
When a new WordPress version (or whatever CMS platform youre using) comes out, update your site as quickly as possible. New releases arent just released for fun. They almost always contain security enhancements designed to overcome past flaws. If you have an updated blogging platform, your chances of being compromised are greatly diminished.
Take an Active Stance on Blog Security
Blog security isnt something that you should take lightly. While you may feel as if people arent interested in hacking into your blog, its often the first entry point used by malicious hackers to compromise your websites data and wreak havoc on your online presence. Take an active stance and prevent issues before they have a chance to arise.
