Webtech Cloud | Palmerston North

Your website is often the first place customers interact with your business.

It’s also a common target for cybercriminals.

Whether you run a simple brochure site or a fully featured eCommerce platform, basic security controls play an important role in protecting your business, your reputation, and your customer data.

Here’s a practical website security checklist for Kiwi businesses.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Website logins should always use long, complex passwords that aren’t reused elsewhere.

Passphrases made up of multiple random words are easier to remember and significantly harder to crack than short passwords.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds a critical extra layer of protection.

Even if a password is compromised, unauthorised access is far less likely when a second verification step is required.

Keep Your Website Software Updated

Outdated CMS platforms, themes, and plugins are one of the most common causes of website breaches.

Regular updates patch known vulnerabilities and reduce exposure to automated attacks.

Maintain Reliable Backups

Backups ensure your website and business data can be restored quickly if something goes wrong.

They should run automatically, be tested regularly, and be stored securely.

Use HTTPS Across Your Entire Site

HTTPS encrypts traffic between your visitors and your website.

This protects login credentials, customer data, and improves browser trust and SEO performance.

Monitor for Changes & Suspicious Activity

Alerts for login attempts, file changes, or unusual behaviour help identify issues early.

Early detection often means smaller, more manageable incidents.

Review Plugins & Extensions

Unused or unsupported plugins introduce unnecessary risk.

Only keep what your website genuinely needs and ensure everything remains maintained.

Follow Secure Development Practices

Changes to your website should follow recognised security best practices such as OWASP guidelines.

This reduces the chance of introducing vulnerabilities during updates or enhancements.

Understand PCI DSS Requirements (For eCommerce)

If your website processes payments, PCI DSS compliance is essential.

Most businesses should use trusted third-party payment gateways rather than handling card data directly.

Report Incidents When They Occur

If you suspect a breach or compromise, reporting incidents to CERT NZ helps you receive guidance and supports wider threat awareness across Aotearoa.

Protecting Your Website Doesn’t Need to Be Complex

Website security is about consistency, not complexity.

From our base in Palmerston North, Webtech Cloud helps businesses across Manawatū and New Zealand secure, monitor, and maintain their websites — reducing risk while keeping things running smoothly.

Concerned about your website security?
Talk to Webtech Cloud.

🌐 wcs.kiwi
📞 (06) 354 8336