Why you need to ask yourself these questions?
In today’s digital landscape, your website is more than just a business card, it’s often your most public-facing and vulnerable asset. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a corporate site, or a personal blog, attackers are constantly scanning the web for weak points to exploit. From stolen customer data and defaced pages to complete server takeovers, the consequences of a security breach can be devastating; both financially and reputationally.
But how do you know if your website is truly secure?
The good news is you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to get started. By asking the right questions, you can uncover hidden risks, plug security gaps, and build a stronger foundation of trust for your users. This questionnaire walks you through 10 essential questions, along with practical example answers, to help you assess your current website security posture and take action where it counts. This is the first step in your journey to a secure website.
Some of these questions are technical and if you dont know the answer you can seek answers from your hosting provider and/or developers.
Website Security Self-Assessment Guide (with Example Answers)
- Is encryption/hashing set for all aspects of your website?
Why it matters: eg HTTPS ensures secure communication between users and the server.
What to check:
Do all pages load with https://?, Is the SSL certificate valid and issued by a trusted authority?
Are your password hashed using a good hash encryption?
✅ Example Answer (Good):
Yes, my site uses HTTPS across all pages. HTTP requests are redirected to HTTPS. We also use SHA512 hash with salt for passwords
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
Only the login and checkout pages use HTTPS. I haven’t enforced HTTPS site-wide yet. - Are all my software components up to date (CMS, plugins, themes, libraries)?
Why it matters: Outdated components are a major source of vulnerabilities.
What to check:
CMS (e.g., WordPress, Joomla) version
Plugin and theme versions
JavaScript libraries (jQuery, React, etc.)
✅ Example Answer (Good):
I ensure updates to my WordPress and plugins/themes setup is done at least once in a couple of months. I also ensure the hosting environment is the latest.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
I haven’t updated my plugins in months because I’m afraid something will break. - Do I use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) for all admin accounts?
Why it matters: Strong authentication protects against brute-force and credential stuffing attacks.
What to check:
Password complexity
Use of password managers
2FA for admin panels, hosting, and email
✅ Example Answer (Good):
I use a password manager to create unique 20+ character passwords, and 2FA is enabled for admin, cPanel, and email.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
I use my pets name as my password for WordPress and the same for email. I don’t use 2FA because it’s inconvenient. - Is input from users properly validated and sanitized to prevent SQL injection or XSS attacks?
Why it matters: Input handling is a core defense against common attacks.
What to check:
Use of prepared statements in SQL
Escaping output to prevent cross-site scripting
✅ Example Answer (Good):
All forms are validated server-side. We use parameterized queries with PDO and sanitize inputs using htmlspecialchars().
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
We check some form fields in JavaScript but don’t do much on the server. - Do I have proper access controls in place for user roles?
Why it matters: Limiting user privileges prevents accidental or malicious actions.
What to check:
Role-based access control (RBAC)
Admin vs editor vs contributor permissions
✅ Example Answer (Good):
Only two users have admin access. Editors can publish posts, but not install plugins or change settings.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
Everyone uses the admin account because it’s easier. - Are backups performed regularly, and can I restore from them quickly?
Why it matters: Backups are your insurance against data loss, hacking, or server failure.
What to check:
Backup frequency (daily, weekly)
Storage location (off-site/cloud)
Restoration process and tests
✅ Example Answer (Good):
We back up daily to Amazon S3 and retain backups for 30 days. Restoration is tested each year and completed in under an hour.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
I think my hosting provider handles backups, but I’ve never tried restoring anything. - Is there a web application firewall (WAF) or security plugin in place to block common attacks?
Why it matters: A WAF filters out malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
What to check:
Use of services like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or a plugin like Wordfence
Blocklists, rate limiting, and bot protection
✅ Example Answer (Good):
We use Cloudflare WAF and Wordfence on WordPress, which blocks SQLi and brute-force attacks.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
No WAF. I rely on my host’s default firewall. - Are error messages and debug information hidden from public users?
Why it matters: Detailed errors can expose sensitive data like file paths, DB queries, or even credentials.
What to check:
Display errors turned off in production
Custom error pages used
✅ Example Answer (Good):
We show generic error messages to users and log detailed errors in a file not accessible from the web.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
PHP errors are shown directly in the browser. I haven’t changed the default error settings. - Is the server configured securely (permissions, firewall, SSH access, no open ports)?
Why it matters: Server misconfigurations are a goldmine for attackers.
What to check:
File permissions (e.g., 644 for files, 755 for directories)
SSH key-based login
Closed unused ports
Disabled root SSH login
✅ Example Answer (Good):
SSH login requires keys, root login is disabled, and the server has a strict firewall. Permissions follow least privilege.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
I use root SSH with a password, and the firewall is the default from when I installed the OS. - Do I monitor my website for anomalies, unauthorized changes, or known vulnerabilities?
Why it matters: Without monitoring, attacks may go unnoticed for weeks or months.
What to check:
Pentest, Security audits
Vulnerability scans and alerts
✅ Example Answer (Good):
We run daily malware scans, and conduct regular pentest and audit (once a year) and monitor file changes with a plugin, and get alerts for suspicious logins.
❌ Example Answer (Risky):
I don’t monitor anything unless someone tells me the site is down.
Conclusion: Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Website security isn’t a one-time task, it’s an ongoing responsibility. The 10 basic questions you’ve just explored are designed to give you clarity, highlight blind spots, and empower you to take meaningful first steps toward a safer online presence. Even a single overlooked vulnerability can be the gateway to a serious breach, but with regular self-assessments and proactive habits, you can stay several steps ahead of potential threats.
Don’t wait for an incident to realize the importance of security. Review your answers, prioritize the areas that need attention, and start implementing improvements today. Your users, and your future self will thank you.
Reach out to us if you have any questions or need any help at [email protected]