Website Security Checklist for Founders: 10 Things to Do This Week
You don't need a security team to close the gaps that get small companies breached. Most attacks exploit basics. Here's a checklist you can finish this week.
1. Force HTTPS everywhere
Redirect all HTTP to HTTPS and enable HSTS. No exceptions.
2. Set security headers
Add Content-Security-Policy, X-Content-Type-Options, and Referrer-Policy. A header scan will grade you in seconds.
3. Lock down admin routes
Make sure dashboards and admin endpoints require auth and aren't indexed or guessable.
4. Patch your dependencies
Run a vulnerability scan and update anything flagged. Automate it in CI so it keeps happening.
5. Enable 2FA on everything
Your domain registrar, host, email, and code repo — all of it. These accounts are the keys to the kingdom.
6. Protect your DNS & email
Set SPF, DKIM, and DMARC so your email lands and your domain can't be spoofed.
7. Rate-limit and validate inputs
Throttle public endpoints and validate every input to blunt abuse and injection.
8. Don't leak secrets
Keep keys out of your client bundle and your git history. Rotate anything that slipped.
9. Back up and test restores
Backups you've never restored aren't backups. Test one.
10. Watch for breaches
Check your team emails against breach datasets and monitor for unusual logins.
Make it recurring
Put a 30-minute security pass on the calendar monthly. Consistency beats intensity.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important website security step?
Force HTTPS, enable 2FA on critical accounts, and patch known-vulnerable dependencies — those three close the most common attack paths.
Do I need to hire a security expert?
Not to cover the basics. This checklist handles the issues behind most small-company breaches; bring in experts as you scale or handle sensitive data.
How long does this take?
Most founders can complete the core items in a few hours, then maintain them with a short monthly review.
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