Cyberattacks on Kenyan businesses increased by 40% in 2025, and small businesses are the primary target. Hackers know that small businesses often lack proper security measures, making them easy targets. Here’s your complete security checklist for 2026.
Essential Security Measures
1. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
Your website must have an SSL certificate. It encrypts data between your visitors and your server. Google also penalises non-HTTPS sites in search rankings. Most hosting providers offer free SSL via Let’s Encrypt.
2. Keep Everything Updated
WordPress core, themes, and plugins must be updated regularly. 60% of hacked websites are running outdated software. Set up automatic updates where possible.
3. Strong Authentication
- Use strong, unique passwords (12+ characters with symbols)
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks
- Change default admin username from “admin”
4. Regular Backups
Backup your website daily. Use off-site backup storage (not on the same server). Test your backups monthly to ensure they actually work.
5. Security Monitoring
Install a web application firewall (WAF), monitor for malware, and set up alerts for suspicious activity. Services like Sucuri and Wordfence provide comprehensive WordPress security.
What To Do If You’re Hacked
- Don’t panic — take the site offline immediately
- Change all passwords
- Restore from your most recent clean backup
- Scan for and remove any malware
- Update everything and patch the vulnerability
- Report the incident to your hosting provider
Need a security audit?Contact Bright-Waves Communications for a comprehensive website security assessment.