Worried about website security in 2025? Discover 10 essential steps to protect your business website from hackers — including updates, backups, firewalls, and more.
In 2025, website security isn’t optional — it’s essential. Hackers are getting smarter, bots are more persistent, and one small vulnerability could cost your business its reputation, its revenue, and its visibility online. Whether you’re running a WordPress site, a Squarespace store, or a custom-built platform, protecting your site should be a top priority.
If you’re a small business in Norwich or anywhere in the UK, this guide will show you how to keep your website safe from hackers — and why regular maintenance is a non-negotiable.
🔒 Need ongoing protection? Web Designer Norwich offers reliable, affordable website maintenance plans starting from just £50/month. Learn more here.
Table of Contents
Keep Your Software and Plugins Updated
Outdated CMS platforms (like WordPress), plugins, and themes are the number one cause of website hacks. Hackers target known vulnerabilities, and if you’re not updating regularly, you’re leaving your site wide open.
- ✅ Always install the latest version of WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.
- ✅ Delete unused plugins and themes — even deactivated ones can be exploited.
- ✅ Update all plugins weekly, and remove anything unsupported or suspicious.
Using WordPress? Our monthly website care plans include plugin and core updates — no stress, no surprises.
Use Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Authentication
Still using your dog’s name followed by “123”? In 2025, brute-force bots can crack weak passwords in seconds.
- ✅ Use complex, random passwords for admin accounts and hosting.
- ✅ Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) for all admin logins.
- ✅ Use a secure password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden.
Pro tip: Our team at Web Designer Norwich can help you configure strong admin access settings across WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and more.
Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall filters malicious traffic before it reaches your website. This is crucial for blocking bots, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Top options for small businesses include:
- Cloudflare (free and paid plans)
- Sucuri Firewall
- Wordfence (for WordPress)
Need help choosing or setting one up? We’ll take care of it for you.
Use HTTPS — Always
If your website still uses HTTP, it’s not just vulnerable — it’s also scaring away users and hurting your SEO.
- ✅ Make sure your SSL certificate is installed and active.
- ✅ Force all traffic to load via HTTPS.
- ✅ Renew your SSL annually (unless you’re using auto-renewing options).
All our clients at Web Designer Norwich receive SSL monitoring and renewal support as part of our monthly plans.
Back Up Your Site — Automatically
Even the best security measures can’t guarantee 100% protection. That’s why regular backups are your safety net.
- ✅ Use automated daily or weekly backups
- ✅ Store backups in an offsite location (not your hosting server)
- ✅ Test restore points regularly
Our website maintenance packages include automated offsite backups — so you’re never left in the dark if disaster strikes.
Scan for Malware and Vulnerabilities Regularly
Hackers don’t always deface a website — some silently inject malware, spam links, or redirect traffic.
- ✅ Use security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security
- ✅ Schedule weekly scans
- ✅ Remove infected files immediately
With our Growth and Priority plans, malware scanning and cleanups are included — giving you peace of mind 24/7.
Harden Your CMS and Server
Security “hardening” means going beyond basic protection — disabling features or entry points hackers typically exploit.
Examples include:
- ✅ Disabling XML-RPC in WordPress
- ✅ Restricting file editing from the CMS
- ✅ Limiting login attempts and using CAPTCHA
- ✅ Setting proper file permissions on the server
At Web Designer Norwich, we handle all of this for you — especially if you don’t have a tech team on hand.
Monitor Uptime and Site Changes
Hackers often make subtle changes that go unnoticed — like redirecting links, injecting scripts, or hijacking your contact forms.
Use monitoring tools like:
- UptimeRobot (free)
- Hexometer
- ManageWP
Or let us do it for you — our Norwich-based team watches over your site like it’s our own.
Limit Admin Access
The more people with admin access, the more risk you’re exposed to.
- ✅ Only give full access to people who really need it
- ✅ Create custom user roles (Editor, Contributor, etc.)
- ✅ Remove unused accounts promptly
Whether you’re managing your site solo or with a team, we can set it up securely.
Choose Reliable Hosting
Cheap hosting = weak security. Shared hosting servers are common targets.
Look for hosts that offer:
- ✅ Daily backups
- ✅ Active malware scanning
- ✅ DDoS protection
- ✅ Free SSL
Need help choosing a host? We partner with trusted UK-based providers. Get in touch.
Stay Ahead of Threats in 2025
Cyber threats are evolving, and so should your website’s defences. If you’re too busy running your business to worry about daily updates, plugin conflicts, SSL renewals, and security scans — don’t worry. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
We’re a local team based in Norwich, offering fast, same-day support for businesses across Norfolk and beyond. Whether you’re on WordPress, Wix, Shopify, or anything in between — we’ve got your back.
Want Peace of Mind?
Explore our affordable, flexible Website Maintenance Plans starting from just £50/month. We’ll keep your website secure, updated, and online — so you can focus on growing your business.
📍 Based in Norwich? Even better. We’re local.