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Web DesignWebsite Security Checklist
Taqod provides website design & development for businesses across Saudi Arabia.
August 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Executive summary
Most website breaches come down to outdated software, weak credentials, or missing backups — not sophisticated attacks. A short checklist closes most of the risk.
The direct answer
A website security checklist covers HTTPS everywhere, prompt software and plugin updates, strong unique credentials with two-factor authentication, regular offsite backups, a web application firewall, and limiting third-party plugin or script use to what's genuinely needed.
The checklist
01
Enforce HTTPS everywhere
No mixed content or unencrypted pages.
02
Keep software and plugins updated
Apply security patches as soon as they’re released.
03
Use strong, unique credentials
With two-factor authentication on all admin accounts.
04
Run regular offsite backups
Stored separately from the live server, tested periodically.
05
Add a web application firewall
To filter common attack patterns before they reach the site.
06
Limit third-party plugins and scripts
Each one is a potential attack surface — use only what’s needed.
Common mistakes
Delaying software and plugin updates for convenience.
Reusing weak or shared passwords across admin accounts.
Never testing whether backups actually restore correctly.
Installing plugins for minor features without vetting them.
Frequently asked questions
How often should software and plugins be updated?
As soon as security updates are released — delaying updates is one of the most common ways sites get compromised.
Is HTTPS enough to make a site secure?
No — HTTPS protects data in transit but doesn’t prevent outdated software, weak passwords or missing backups from causing a breach.
How often should backups run?
At least daily for active business sites, with backups stored somewhere separate from the live server.
Key takeaways
- Most breaches trace back to outdated software or weak credentials.
- Offsite, regular backups are the single best insurance against disaster.
- HTTPS is necessary but far from sufficient on its own.
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