Cyber Security  

How to handle cyber security as a small web dev?

Introduction

As a small web developer or freelancer, it’s easy to assume that cybercriminals target only big companies. But in reality, small websites and independent developers are often the easiest targets — precisely because they are less protected.

So, how do you, as a solo or small-team developer, handle cybersecurity without a full-blown IT department or a huge budget?

How to handle cyber security as a small web dev

Let’s break down practical strategies that actually work.

🔐 1. Start with the Basics: Use Strong Passwords and 2FA

It sounds obvious, but many breaches happen due to weak passwords or reused credentials.

Best Practices

  • Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass.
  • Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) on all your accounts — especially for:
    • GitHub/GitLab
    • Hosting providers (e.g., DigitalOcean, Vercel)
    • CMS logins (e.g., WordPress admin)
    • Email services

🧰 2. Keep Everything Updated

Outdated software is one of the biggest vulnerabilities on the web.

Stay updated on

  • CMS platforms (WordPress, Joomla, etc.)
  • Dependencies and packages (e.g., via npm, pip, composer)
  • Web frameworks (Laravel, React, Django, etc.)
  • Server OS and control panels

Set reminders or use services like Dependabot, Snyk, or GitHub Security Alerts to get notified of critical vulnerabilities in your code.

🔒 3. Use HTTPS — Always

Never deploy a site without HTTPS. Use Let's Encrypt for free SSL certificates, which can be easily automated on most hosting platforms.

Using HTTPS

  • Encrypts data between the user and the server
  • Helps with SEO
  • Prevents MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks

🛠️ 4. Harden Your Server or Hosting Environment

Whether you’re using shared hosting, a VPS, or serverless architecture, take time to configure your hosting securely.

Key Tips

  • Disable root login and use SSH keys instead of passwords.
  • Keep unused ports closed and run only necessary services.
  • Install a firewall like UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall).
  • Regularly audit your server logs for suspicious behavior.
  • Limit file and directory permissions (chmod responsibly!).

🧪 5. Sanitize All User Inputs

If you're handling forms, APIs, or databases, always validate and sanitize user inputs.

Protect against

  • SQL Injection
  • XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
  • CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery)

Use secure libraries and ORM frameworks that include protection by default (like Django ORM, Laravel Eloquent, etc.).

☁️ 6. Use Managed Services Where Possible

If you’re a one-person dev shop, outsourcing infrastructure to reliable services saves time and reduces risk.

Examples:

  • Use Firebase or Supabase instead of building your own auth systems.
  • Use Netlify, Vercel, or Cloudflare Pages for hosting static sites securely.
  • Let Cloudflare handle DDoS protection, caching, and HTTPS with minimal configuration.

🧯 7. Set Up Backups and Recovery Plans

Security isn't just about preventing attacks — it’s about recovery too.

What to back up

  • Databases
  • Server configurations
  • Source code (in private repos)
  • Deployment instructions (e.g., Docker files)

Automate backups with tools like Duplicati, Rclone, or hosting provider backups. Make sure you test restoring from backups regularly.

👥 8. Educate Clients (and Yourself)

Most vulnerabilities come from human error. As a web dev, educate your clients to avoid:

  • Using weak passwords
  • Falling for phishing scams
  • Installing shady plugins or themes

And for yourself: Stay updated with newsletters like OWASP or The Cyberwire. Also, visit C# Corner to get the latest updates / News.

Conclusion

You may be a small dev, but with the right practices, your security can be enterprise-grade. Protect your projects, your clients, and your reputation, because prevention is always cheaper than a data breach.