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Outdated software is one of the biggest vulnerabilities on the web.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