Cybersecurity is gradually making its way into most IT professions. Cybercrime has been spreading for over a decade, and the statistics outline a huge spike in compromised personal data. That makes cybersecurity especially important for professionals dealing with client information, including web designers.
Currently, web developers and web designers are expected to have some security know-how. It doesn’t mean you cannot work as a web designer without it. But more and more companies will choose experts who can provide a secure service, as experts under this Quora question advise.
Here are 4 things that web designers should know about security.
1. Writing Secure Code
Although web designers are not web developers, they often have to deal with code at a more senior level. Sometimes they are expected to write their own code using HTML and CSS. It would be best for a web designer to know the basics of secure code, including writing clean code for a start.
A common website hacking technique is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), when an attacker injects malicious JavaScript elements that are executed on a website. It can be as simple as a CSS code with a button that redirects to a fraudulent website or downloads a malicious attachment. Knowing how to deliver secure code will make you stand out among web design professionals.
2. Choose Secure Hosting
Choosing a secure website hosting service is essential. Remember that lawful regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) administer client data storage. The website owner is held accountable for any data breaches, and if you fail to choose a reliable hosting provider for your website, it could result in legal troubles.
Your website hosting service should ensure SSL data encryption (known as SSL certificate), physical server safety, regular data backups, a web application firewall, and regular software updates. Encryption guarantees user data safety even if the servers are compromised, and regular backups will restore your services upon ransomware hits or physical server failure.
3. Safe Freelancing
Web Designers are among the most sought freelance specialists, and many choose this career path due to its numerous advantages. However, freelancing has some unique cybersecurity challenges you should be aware of.
Firstly, you will operate outside of corporate network security. Business computer networks have dedicated administrators handling security issues, such as data encryption, access privileges, real-time risk management, etc. All of this is gone when you use your device for work-related activities.
Your device should have storage-wide encryption enabled, such as Windows BitLocker. You should ensure file encryption if you upload your designs to a Cloud, which most do nowadays. Like a secure hosting service provider, a secure Cloud storage service guarantees your work is protected from data leaks and copyright infringement. A reliable antivirus should regularly scan your device for malicious elements. And it’s highly advisable to use a password manager for business account protection.
Moreover, consider such tools as Incogni for removing the data (such as pictures) you might have added about you on the internet. It’s only important, for example, if you want your potential clients to find only specific information about you that’s related to your job, and no more.
4. Public Wi-Fi Access Safety
Freelancers often work from coffee shops utilizing their Wi-Fi access points. However, doing so without additional protection is risky, as most public Wi-Fi networks often lack adequate cybersecurity protocols.
There’s always a risk of connecting to a fake access point, known as an Evil Twin attack. Be particularly mindful of the Wi-Fi hotspot name. You can mistakenly connect to ‘Starbucks_Free_Wi-Fi’ because it looks legit. In reality, Starbucks’ official Wi-Fi is usually “Starbucks-Google” or “Google-Starbucks.” Connecting to a fake access point exposes your data to cybercriminals and can put your client’s information at risk.
The same applies to Man-in-the-middle attacks. These are highly sophisticated and exploit legitimate Wi-Fi access points. An attacker positions themselves between two communicating parties (your device and the Internet), snoops out valuable data, or even modifies the communication to redirect the user to fraudulent websites.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is considered the most reliable public Wi-Fi safety tool. It will encrypt all outgoing data flow neutralizing online surveillance. Furthermore, fully-developed VPNs offer real-time malware protection reducing the chances of infection.
Last Words
Most outlined steps are easy to implement, although learning to write secure code will take time. However, additional cybersecurity software will repel most hackers as they often look for the easiest target. Moreso, commercially available cybersecurity tools don’t cost an arm, and it’s a cautious investment that can save miles of trouble.
