10 Tips for Securing Websites Against Hacking in Saudi Arabia

Do you fear your website being hacked?

In Saudi Arabia, thousands of websites face hacking attempts every day, whether they’re for companies, e-commerce stores, or even personal blogs.

The reason? Many website owners don’t implement basic digital security.

But don’t worry—securing  websites isn’t difficult.

With simple steps and the right tools, you can protect your data and peace of mind, and prevent hackers from accessing your site.

We’ll give you 10 Tips for Securing Websites Against Hacking in Saudi Arabia, presented in a clear and easy-to-apply way, even if you’re not a tech expert.

🔐 Is your website truly secure? Get a free security check now from the experts at Athr!

The Importance of Securing Websites Against Hacking in Saudi Arabia?

In a fast-paced world that relies on the internet daily, website security has become a critical necessity, especially in Saudi Arabia, which is undergoing massive digital transformations. From protecting data to building customer trust, cybersecurity is a crucial element for any website’s success.

The Rise of Cyber Attacks in Saudi Arabia and Their Impact on Businesses

Recent reports indicate that Saudi Arabia faces over 7 million hacking attempts monthly, most of which target small and medium-sized businesses.

The results?

• Leaking of sensitive customer data
• Huge financial losses
• A decline in customer trust
• A drop in the site’s search engine rankings

🔐 Website security has become your digital shield against these growing threats.

How Does Website Security Help Build Trust with Visitors?

When a visitor sees that your site uses the HTTPS protocol and has an active protection system, their first impression is “security.”

Immediate benefits:

• Increased conversion rate
• Reduced bounce rate
• Enhanced brand reputation

✅ Trust starts on the first page… and can’t be built without strong digital protection.

The Relationship Between Website Protection and Improving Search Engine Rankings

Did you know that Google gives priority to securing websites?

Website security is an important factor in its ranking algorithms, especially after the latest Google Core updates.

How does this affect you?

• Unsecured sites quickly lose their rankings
• Secured sites receive a higher E-E-A-T rating
• Time spent on the site increases due to trust and a sense of security

Securing websites = increasing its visibility in search results and boosting traffic.

Step 1 – Use SSL Certificates to Protect Sensitive Data

In the current internet environment, where cyber attacks are among the most widespread digital threats in Saudi Arabia, SSL certificates serve as the first line of defense to protect customer and user data from leaks or manipulation.

What is an SSL certificate and why is it essential in Saudi Arabia?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security technology that encrypts data between a user’s browser and the server, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information such as:

• Payment card data
• Login credentials
• Forms and private messages

📌 In Saudi Arabia, official bodies like the National Cybersecurity Authority emphasize the necessity of using SSL for securing websites company and e-commerce , especially after a 25% increase in electronic fraud cases over the past two years.

💡Google penalizes unsecured websites by lowering their search rankings, while it promotes websites that use SSL with a “secure” label next to the link.

How to ensure website security with a valid SSL certificate?

You can easily check by following these steps:

✅ Visual indicators in the browser:

• A lock icon appears next to the site’s URL
• The URL starts with “https://” instead of “http://”

✅ Technical verification via specialized tools:

• Use free tools like:

• SSL Checker
• Qualys SSL Labs

✅ Certificate validity and updates:

• Make sure to renew the certificate before it expires
• Check the issuing authority (e.g., Let’s Encrypt, GeoTrust, or Comodo)

📍 Don’t just settle for a cheap SSL certificate; make sure it’s reliable and accredited, as some low-quality certificates don’t provide adequate Securing Websites Against Hacking. 

Step 2 – Keep Your CMS and Plugins Updated

If you use platforms like WordPress or Joomla to manage your site, updating your system and plugins is not an option—it’s a security necessity. Many cyber attacks that have targeted Saudi websites originated from simple vulnerabilities in outdated plugins.

How can old plugins create security vulnerabilities?

Plugins and themes that are no longer supported or haven’t been updated by developers pose a significant risk to website security.

Key risks:

• SQL Injection vulnerabilities: Allow hackers to access the database.
• Executing malicious commands on the server (Server Exploits).
• Stealing user data or spreading malware.

🔐 Any outdated plugin = an open door for hacking, especially in Saudi Arabia, where attacks on weakly secured local websites are common.

Tools to help you automatically monitor updates

To avoid manually checking every plugin, here are some tools and solutions that simplify the process and are used for website security:

✅ Tools for automating updates:

• ManageWP: A unified dashboard to manage and update websites.
• Wordfence Security: Sends alerts for critical security updates.
• MainWP: Manages multiple sites and updates plugins automatically.

✅ Practical tips for safe updates:

• Take a backup before updating.
• Test updates in a staging environment.
• Delete unused plugins immediately.

📌 Does your company lack the time or a specialized technical team?

At Athr Company, we provide a periodic update and website security service for Saudi companies, which includes automated updates, vulnerability monitoring, and regular security reports.

Start securing websites against hacks now before it turns into a disaster.

Contact us now for a customized protection plan that suits your website and business in Saudi Arabia.

Step 3 – Use a Strong Firewall

One of the most important pillars for Securing Websites Against Hackingis activating an effective firewall. In Saudi Arabia, with the increasing digital attacks on government and commercial websites, it’s essential for your site to have a first line of defense that stops intruders before they can access data.

A firewall acts as an intermediary between your site and visitors, evaluating every access request to determine if it’s safe. It not only protects against hacking but also reduces server consumption and prevents the site from going down due to attacks like DDoS.

The Difference Between a Web Application Firewall and a Network Firewall

Many people mistakenly believe that all firewalls serve the same purpose, but there are two main types:

1. Web Application Firewall (WAF):

Protects your site from direct attacks such as:

• SQL Injection
• XSS (Cross-Site Scripting)
• Remote File Inclusion

It operates at the application level, analyzing requests directed to your site’s pages.

2. Network Firewall:

• Protects the entire network infrastructure.
• It’s typically used in large corporations and data centers.
• It filters traffic to and from servers based on network protocols.

What is the best way to secure websites?

For most company and e-commerce websites, a WAF is the optimal choice because it focuses on protecting the web application itself.

The Best Website Security Solutions in Saudi Arabia

To effectively protect your website within the Saudi market, here is a list of the best WAF providers that are locally supported or have seamless integration:

Trusted Global Services:

• Cloudflare WAF: Advanced protection, easy integration, free in its basic plan.
• Sucuri Firewall: Suitable for WordPress sites, includes antivirus and continuous monitoring.
• Astra Security: User-friendly interface, instant alerts, supports Arabic websites.

Local and GCC Services:

• STC Secure Connect: Customized protection for Saudi companies with local support.
• Solutions by STC Cybersecurity: Offers integrated solutions within its cloud security packages.

Step 4: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for All Users

One of the most effective tips for securing websites against hacks, especially in Saudi Arabia, is to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This simple step reduces the probability of accounts being compromised by more than 90%.

🔐 What is Two-Factor Authentication?

It’s a process that requires an additional verification step after entering a password, such as a code sent to a phone or through a dedicated app, making it nearly impossible to compromise accounts even if passwords are leaked.

Why is 2FA essential for website security?

In light of the rising number of account thefts in Saudi Arabia, especially for e-commerce and government websites, 2FA has become a fundamental security standard.

Key reasons for 2FA’s importance:

• It prevents unauthorized access even if the password is breached.
• It protects the accounts of site administrators and supervisors from targeted attacks.
• It reduces the risks of malware and phishing.

2FA Tools Compatible with the Saudi Market

To effectively implement 2FA on your website, you can use globally recognized and tested tools that support the Arabic language and are suitable for the infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

🔐 The best 2FA tools:

📍 Enabling 2FA shouldn’t be limited to the admin panel; it should include all accounts with sensitive permissions, even if limited.

Website security services in Saudi Arabia start here—request your detailed quote in minutes.

Step 5 – Monitor Unauthorized Login Attempts

Even the strongest security systems need a watchful eye…

Monitoring unauthorized login attempts is a vital step for securing websites against cyber attacks, especially in the Saudi market, which is seeing an increase in digital attacks.

Don’t wait until your site is hacked to take action. By tracking login activities and analyzing security logs, you can detect signs of a hack before it turns into a crisis.

How can you detect hacking attempts early?

The answer lies in analyzing visitor behavior and site traffic. By monitoring failed login attempts and unusual access requests, you can predict an actual hacking attempt.

Indicators of a hacking attempt:

• Repeated login attempts with incorrect usernames.
• Login attempts from unusual IP addresses (outside Saudi Arabia).
• Direct access to sensitive files or admin pages.
• Strange or large-volume POST requests.

Log analysis tools for WordPress sites

If you use WordPress, there are many tools that provide you with real-time and accurate analysis of login attempts and security logs:

✅ Powerful monitoring tools:

🔒Get a secure website from the start with Athr Company’s anti-hacking website design service—comprehensive protection and professional design customized for the Saudi market.

Step 6 – Implement a Strong Password Policy

Despite the evolution of security tools, a weak password remains the easiest gateway for hackers to infiltrate your site. In Saudi Arabia, many commercial and government websites have been breached due to the use of common passwords like “123456” or “admin”.

So, how can I implement a secure password policy on my site?

The first step is to establish clear and mandatory standards for all users and administrators alike.

What are the secure password standards for Saudi websites?

To ensure website security in Saudi Arabia according to the latest standards, make sure every password:

• Is at least 12 characters long.
• Contains: uppercase and lowercase letters + numbers + special symbols.
• Does not include personal information or the username.
• Is completely different from previous passwords.

How do you enforce periodic password changes?

It is essential to enforce password resets periodically, especially for accounts with sensitive permissions such as “Administrator” or “System Manager.”

✅ Best practices:

• Set a maximum password validity period of 90 days.
• Send an automatic notification before expiration.
• Prevent the reuse of the last 3 passwords.
• Temporarily lock the account after 5 failed login attempts.

📧 Contact us to get a website security plan that includes backup, protection, and monitoring.

Step 7: Use Security Vulnerability Scanning Tools Regularly

No matter how strong and secure your website system is, security vulnerabilities can appear suddenly as a result of a software update or an unstable new plugin. Therefore, regularly scanning your site is one of the most effective ways to prevent website hacking in Saudi Arabia before damage occurs.

🔎 How can I make sure my site is free of security vulnerabilities?

Use advanced vulnerability scanning tools on a regular schedule and follow the scan reports to fix weak points.

Free and paid tools for scanning Saudi business websites

There are many security vulnerability scanning tools that support Arabic and are used effectively by companies in the Saudi market:

✅ Free and reliable tools:

Highly professional paid tools:

📍 Start with a free tool to discover major vulnerabilities, then move to a paid tool with automatic alerts for security changes after each update.

When should you perform a comprehensive site scan?

A common mistake is to delay the security scan until a problem arises! Here are the situations that require an immediate scan:

Appropriate times for periodic scanning:

• After every major update to the site or plugins.
• When launching new features or registration pages.
• At least once every 30 to 45 days.
• After a hacking attempt or suspicious activity in the logs.

Ideal scan procedures:

• Take a backup of the site.
• Use more than one tool to scan different points.
• Document all vulnerabilities and act based on priority.
• Rescan after implementing solutions to ensure complete closure.

Step 8 – Enable Automatic Website Backups

In the world of cyber attacks, there is no 100% protection. Therefore, having an automatic backup system is the last line of safety that can completely rescue your digital business in the event of a hack or data corruption.

📌 Regular backups don’t prevent attacks, but they enable you to quickly restore your site without losing files, databases, or site settings.

What is the importance of regular backups in the event of a hack?

When a cyber attack or ransomware attack occurs, you can:

• Restore your site in minutes without relying on the hacker.
• Avoid financial losses due to service disruption.
• Protect your digital reputation with visitors and customers.

Secure Saudi storage services for website backups

To protect your data within the Kingdom and in accordance with local cybersecurity policies, here are some Saudi (or compatible) cloud storage services you can rely on:

✅ Reliable storage solutions:

Popular backup tools:

• UpdraftPlus (WordPress): Supports storing backups on Google Drive, Dropbox, and Saudi services via WebDAV.
• JetBackup (cPanel): Daily automatic backup, with partial or full restoration.
• Acronis Cyber Protect: A professional solution for large companies and enterprises.

📍 Always choose a solution that provides offsite backups, with the ability to restore to a specific point.

Don’t wait for a hack to happen—📞 contact us today and start securing your website.

Step 9 – Train Your Team on Cybersecurity

You can use the latest protection systems, but a single human error can open the door to a catastrophic hack. The human factor is the first line of defense—and sometimes, the most dangerous point of weakness in website security, especially in the Saudi work environment, which is undergoing rapid digital transformation.

📌 More than 80% of cyber attacks start with human error, such as opening a malicious link or sharing sensitive data.

Why is the human factor the first line of defense?

While protection systems play their part, the employee who interacts with the website, email, or control panel is the one who decides—intentionally or unintentionally—whether to open the door to an attack or prevent it.

📍 Common human errors:

• Using a single password for more than one system.
• Clicking on unknown links via email.
• Downloading insecure files from external sources.
• Giving unnecessary permissions to other users within the site.

You ask: How can I prevent these errors?

Start by training your team to distinguish between safe and suspicious activities and to implement clear internal policies.

Best security awareness practices in Saudi companies

To reduce human vulnerabilities in your site and business within Saudi Arabia, here are the most globally adopted practices:

✅ Effective training practices:

1. Periodic internal training courses on cybersecurity (once every 3 months).
2. Simulated email attacks (Phishing Simulation).
3. Guidance manuals in Arabic explaining the most important daily digital risks.
4. Short sessions via Zoom or Microsoft Teams for support and sales teams.
5. Short security tests to assess and raise employee awareness.

Reliable training sources:

• National Cybersecurity Authority of Saudi Arabia: Provides guides and guidelines in Arabic.
• SANS Security Awareness: Customizable global training.
• Cybrary: Free and paid training suitable for non-technical employees.

📍 At Athr Company, we provide an integrated training service that includes assessing security awareness within your company and creating a detailed awareness plan that suits the nature of your work.

Step 10 – Partner with a Trusted Saudi Cybersecurity Company

Despite the importance of tools and training, partnering with a specialized cybersecurity company remains the safest and most professional option. In light of the escalating cyber attacks against Saudi websites, it has become necessary to rely on experts with real experience in repelling attacks, managing risks, and securing the entire digital infrastructure.

When should you seek help from a specialized cybersecurity company?

If you’re asking, “How do I know the right time to ask for help from a cybersecurity company?” Here are some crucial indicators:

Signs that you need specialized support:

• You don’t have an in-house technical team or continuous support.
• You’ve noticed suspicious activity or repeated login attempts.
• Your site was previously hacked, and a recovery plan wasn’t implemented.
• You want to implement comprehensive protection solutions (WAF, 2FA, backups, etc.).
• You plan to launch a new site and want a secure structure from the start.

🎯 Programming companies specializing in cybersecurity don’t just offer “reactive” services; they build a proactive and preventative protection system that reduces risks to the lowest possible degree.

Criteria for choosing the best cybersecurity company in Saudi Arabia

Before contracting with any entity, ensure these specifications are met to guarantee professionalism and reliability:

✅ The most important criteria to check:

Website security is not as complicated or expensive as some might think; rather, it is an investment that protects you from huge losses that could occur due to a sudden cyber attack.

We’ve reviewed 10 Tips for website security in Saudi Arabia, and each step helps you raise your security level and maintain the trust of your customers.

🚨 Don’t leave your site vulnerable to attacks—protect your data now with a smart security plan.