A significant percentage of internet users still tend to have a relaxed attitude towards cybersecurity, much to the dismay of IT security specialists. This blasé attitude could be attributed to the erroneous belief that their website or online presence is not likely to suffer a cyber attack, considering the vast number of websites available online. However, this attitude is wrong and could be costly both in the short and long term.

Website owners must take the necessary precautions to secure their little corner of the Internet, whether it’s a personal blog, a website dedicated to a local book club, or a massive corporation like Amazon or Netflix. The security of all websites, irrespective of their scale, should be of topmost priority.

Seizing control of a website and using it to promote illegal activities or using it as part of a botnet ranks high on the list of reasons why cybercriminals target websites. Some notorious hackers perpetrate website hacks to steal personal and financial data. According to Statista, established companies in the United States had 1,802 cases of compromised data in 2022, affecting over 422 million individuals. When personal websites and undetected leaks are added, the statistics skyrocket into the hundreds of thousands or millions.

Almost all the data breaches reported by Statista involved the stealing and selling of personal information. Unfortunately, a lack of internet security could make a website vulnerable to attack. A cyber attack could subject website owners to the risk of all their settings and posts being deleted. Losing everything the website owner has worked for could be devastating, and the victim may have to invest countless hours trying to retake control of their website, their unique creation.

Cybersecurity can be a legal requirement, depending on the website owner’s location and if they store customer and visitor data. Government agencies take data protection laws seriously, and they are empowered to issue massive fines to everyone who does not comply. For example, in 2020, the British Information Commissioner’s Office issued Marriott International with a €20.4 million ($23.8 million) fine for failing to secure its customers’ data. In contrast, credit agency Equifax paid a $575 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and all 50 U.S. states after an investigation found Equifax failed to fix a vulnerability in its security and for failing to inform people about a data breach.

Having a secure website instills confidence in visitors, especially if the website processes payments. Even non-tech savvy people could look out for a little padlock in their internet browser to confirm that a website is secure. Displaying the cybersecurity measures taken, including privacy policies and data handling and storage protocols, is essential to visitors and potential customers. As a consumer, you would instead provide your personal and financial data to a website that boasts state-of-the-art cybersecurity than to a business that randomly leaves everything to chance.

In conclusion, website and online presence owners must take cybersecurity seriously and employ necessary precautions. A lack of cybersecurity could result in loss of data, expensive legal fines, and the erosion of consumer trust. Therefore, everyone must adhere to strict cybersecurity protocols and avoid the costly pitfalls of negligence.

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