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Website Security Checklist for Founders: 10 Things to Do This Week

Svivva TeamJune 28, 20262 min read

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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