22 Key strategies to strengthen the security of your website and your clients’ sites.

22 Key strategies to strengthen the security

Imagine starting your week with messages from clients asking why their website is now showing shady product ads—or worse, a “miracle investment opportunity” signed with your agency’s name. Instead of planning campaigns, you’re forced to manage a crisis. A hacked site doesn’t just affect your client; it directly affects your agency, your reputation, and your revenue stream.

Although it may sound extreme, automated attacks happen every day. And in an agency—where you manage multiple sites, accounts, and access points—the risk multiplies.

Web security is no longer optional; it’s an operational pillar that determines the trust, stability, and scalability of your business.

Why Web Security Is Different for Agencies

For an agency, security isn’t just about protecting one site. It’s about:

• protecting dozens or hundreds of installations, accounts, and environments,
• avoiding interruptions that affect active campaigns, launches, and ads,
• maintaining client trust,
• safeguarding your agency’s reputation,
• preventing financial losses due to downtime, technical emergencies, and clients who might leave after an incident.

Web security becomes a business asset:
a secure site means fewer crises, greater efficiency, stronger client retention, and more authority as a provider.

Threats That Put Marketing Agencies at Risk

Understanding threats helps you anticipate them. Among the most common:

• Password breaches: Weak credentials shared across teams or freelancers. Attackers can use various tactics to guess passwords and gain access to your site.
• Defacement: Visual alterations that harm both your clients’ image and your own.
• Ransomware: Malicious software that hijacks sites and files, paralyzing operations until a ransom is paid.
• Data breaches: Sensitive information stored on your site can be stolen by hackers for malicious purposes.
• Malware infections: Malicious software can be injected into your site, putting your visitors’ devices at risk.
• Denial-of-service attacks: Attackers overload your server, making your website slow or completely inaccessible.
• Cross-site scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts embedded in web pages, allowing hackers to obtain user information.
• SQL injections: Attackers inject code to modify, delete, or obtain data from your database.
• Spam: Your site can be flooded with unwanted ads and harmful links.
• Phishing: Fake forms trick users into providing personal information.
• Botnet recruitment: Hackers hijack your site’s resources to use them as part of larger cyber-attacks.

Consequences for an Agency When Sites Aren’t Properly Protected

• Loss of direct revenue (downtime, technical emergencies).
• Loss of future revenue (clients lose trust and cancel).
• Reputational damage (the worst business card).
• SEO decline across multiple digital properties.
• Legal complications, especially related to personal data and forms.
• Unproductive work hours that hurt your margins.

In an agency, a single incident can quickly escalate into a multisite crisis.

22 Strategies to Shield Your Web Projects

Below are 22 recommendations tailored to agencies, where scalability, structure, and precision are essential.

1. Customize the Default Settings of Your CMS

Many attacks exploit WordPress default settings. Improve security by:

• Avoiding “admin” as your username.
• Choosing a custom database table prefix instead of “wp.”
• Changing your login URL to reduce automated login attempts.

2. Choose Agency-Oriented Secure Hosting

Prioritize providers with:

• isolated environments,
• active monitoring,
• automated backups,
• advanced protection.

Avoid shared hosting for important projects.

3. Implement SSL/HTTPS on All Projects

HTTPS encrypts data exchanged between your site and your visitors, protecting against various attacks while increasing user trust.
SSL certificates are typically obtained through your hosting provider.

4. Set File Permissions for Each Project

Ideal for teams working across multiple environments and roles.
Proper permissions prevent unauthorized changes.
Use SFTP or SSH to manage them effectively.

5. Configure Security Headers

Security headers determine how browsers handle your content and help prevent vulnerabilities such as XSS and clickjacking.

6. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your site, protecting against SQL injections, brute-force attempts, and more.

7. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN distributes your content across multiple servers, improving load times and adding a layer of DDoS protection.

8. Use Strong Usernames and Passwords

Weak credentials are one of the easiest entry points for attackers.
Best practices:

• Avoid predictable usernames like “admin.”
• Create complex passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Ensure your entire team follows similar password guidelines.
• Use separate accounts for admin and content roles.

9. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Adds an extra layer of security that significantly complicates unauthorized access.

10. Assign Appropriate User Roles and Permissions

WordPress roles have clearly defined permissions.
Follow the least privilege principle to reduce the risk of accidental damage or access.

11. Use a Security Plugin

Security plugins provide malware scanning, firewalls, and more. Several reliable options exist for self-hosted sites.

12. Limit Yourself to Trusted Extensions

Poorly coded or outdated plugins and themes introduce serious vulnerabilities.
Only install from reputable sources.

13. Remove Unused Plugins and Themes

Inactive items can still create risk.
Audit regularly and remove anything unnecessary.

14. Keep Everything Updated

Updates often patch known vulnerabilities—apply them promptly.

15. Ensure Automatic Backups

Backups are essential for restoring your site in case of an issue.
Use automated solutions for files and databases.

16. Limit Sensitive Data Storage

Only collect and store essential user data to reduce the impact of potential breaches.

17. Use an Anti-Spam Plugin

Automate spam detection to prevent legal issues and the spread of harmful links or content.

18. Monitor Website Activity

Keep logs of user actions and site changes—this makes troubleshooting and threat detection easier.

19. Stay Updated on Emerging Threats

Consistently educate yourself on evolving security risks.
Subscribing to trustworthy newsletters is helpful.

20. Train Your Team in Security Best Practices

Ensure all users understand how to identify threats and follow proper procedures.

21. Scan Your Website Regularly

Routine scans detect vulnerabilities or malware early, allowing proactive action.

22. Create an Incident Response Plan

Define:

• responsible team members,
• reaction times,
• communication to the client,
• restoration process,
• corrective measures.
• This prevents chaos, loss, and unnecessary stress.

A Proactive Approach to Security

Investing in web security is crucial for protecting your content, user data, and reputation. Given the prevalence of automated attacks, it’s clear that every site is at risk. Fortunately, implementing effective security measures is usually straightforward.

Ensure your hosting provider offers high-quality managed solutions and commit to regular evaluations and updates to your site’s security health.

Improving Your Website Security

If you’re working on projects related to website security and need WordPress development support, WordPressOngoing can help.
We focus on building long-term partnerships by offering high-quality work, fast problem-solving, and consistently responsive communication—so your team can move forward with confidence.