Is Your Website A Hacking Ticking Time Bomb?

In the news in recent years, there have been an increasing number of incidents of websites being hacked. Worse, the level of severity of the hacks has been climbing up the scale.

As recently as this year, the IRS site was hacked, leaving thousands of government workers' data in the hands of nefarious identity thefts and other criminals.

If the U.S. government can't keep its site safe from hackers, do you have any hope?

Comparison to Brick and Mortar Store

Try thinking of your website as if it were a door leading into your business premises, because that's exactly what it is.

If you had a brick and mortar retail store, you wouldn't allow customers into the back room, right?

You wouldn't let customers behind the counter or to rifle through your business papers. And you certainly wouldn't leave the safe door ajar, leaving all your cash receipts exposed for anyone to help themselves to.

When you don't protect your website from hackers, that's what you're doing, though.

Your unprotected website is vulnerable to anyone who wants to help themselves to your data, finances and more.

Password Security Basics

If you think Edward Snowden knows anything about passwords, take his advice.

In a recent interview, he reported that, unbelievably, most people don't implement sound password practice.

Too many people use passwords like their birthdates or the birthdates of their children. This is information that is readily accessible on many Facebook accounts. Others use simple linear numbers and letters like 1234 or ABCD.

The reason people end up resorting to such easy to remember passwords is that there are now so many sites that require them to log in. Most people simply can't remember all the passwords they need.

Snowden suggests using long passwords phrases instead of just one word. To satisfy specific password requirements for numbers and symbols, a phrase like "September8isGreat!" is a choice that might work.

Learn from others' mistakes. Read the article "6 Takeaways from the Recent Hacking of U.S. Government Workers' Data" and make sure you don't follow in their footsteps.

Once you have a password, write it on a non-digital piece of paper and keep it at home (not in your wallet).

One good option is to buy a little address book and store your passwords under the alphabetical name of the site you use it on.

For every site you visit, you can come up with a different phrase now, because they will be written down and easily accessed. Never keep your password list on your computer, and obviously, never share it with anyone.

The longer you wait to implement security safety measures on your website, the more likely it is that the wrong crowd will get the keys to your kingdom.

Start today by consulting with a website security professional.

Your website doesn't have to be a hacking ticking time bomb.