While web designers’ main job is to create functional and eye-pleasing websites, cybersecurity should become an increasingly greater priority in their practices.

After all, up to 343 million people were victimized by cyberattacks in 2023—that’s almost the size of the US population.

As the ones creating the very websites the masses use every day, web designers have a responsibility to prioritize cybersecurity measures. Here are the essential things web designers need to know about cybersecurity.

1. Understanding Common Cyber Threats

To start, web designers need to know the basics. This includes the most common forms of cyber threats, which include the following.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks refer to the mimicking of legitimate sites to steal user data. Well-designed, trustworthy sites reduce phishing risks.

Malware

Malware refers to harmful software that causes damage to digital systems. Industry-standard coding and security practices prioritize reducing malware risk.

Harmful software exploiting site weaknesses. Proper coding standards and secure design can reduce malware risks.

SQL Injection & Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

These attacks exploit input fields (such as username, password, or comment textboxes) to execute malicious code.

Denial of Service (DoS)

DoS refers to an attack that interrupts or denies access to a website. While hosting providers typically address DoS attacks, optimized web design also reduces vulnerability.

2. Secure User Authentication and Authorization

Secure user authentication is a must-have for any website with login functionality. Web designers should have the following protocols for such sites:

Two-factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA makes users confirm their identity through two devices. Web designers should make it easy to use 2FA on your website. Most platforms also now have 2FA plugins.

Password Security

Include design features for passwords like strength rating meters, visibility, and easy access to all security settings.

Session Timeout Notifications

Have session timeout warnings that notify users before an automatic logout. This is particularly important for websites that contain highly sensitive data.

3. Data Protection by Design

“Data protection by design” is an approach that prioritizes safety measures in a website’s core design. This means that web designers should have cybersecurity already in mind when planning a website.

When incorporating data protection, designers should consider:

• What kind of data is being collected?
• How sensitive is it?
• How will data be transmitted and stored?
• What access restrictions and retention policies should be in place?

Designers should limit data collection and retention to what’s necessary. So even if data gets breached, there would be less compromised data.

Any kind of data transmission must also be secure and encrypted.

4. Using HTTPS and TSL/SSL Certificates

Any website must use HTTPS and have TSL or SSL certificates (though SSL is arguably outdated, now replaced by TSL).

This ensures that any and all data sent and received between a site and its users are encrypted. Designers should always configure sites for HTTPS by default.

As a result, users typically find any site without HTTPS suspicious.

SSL certificates must also be regularly updated, so it’s important for designers to coordinate with developers

5. Preventing XSS and CSRF Attacks

Designers can help prevent XSS and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by:

• Avoiding making websites display user-generated content as raw HTML, and use secure input validation.
• Encouraging developers to use CSRF tokens for more secure form submissions. This adds even another layer of security against unauthorized requests.

With most sites now having some sort of input field (username, password, textboxes, etc.), these strategies are vital.

6. Using VPNs for Web Design Security

Cybersecurity shouldn’t just be a priority for the product (i.e., the website), but also the process.

With many web development teams working remotely, it’s important to use VPNs to encrypt connections and protect data.

There are many out there, like Surfshark’s VPN.

7. Integrating Security with Accessibility and User Education

Accessibility is another priority for web design—and good news, there are many ways to integrate security measures with accessibility ones.

While the goal is for websites never to be attacked or infected in the first place, integrating accessibility and security helps users avoid it should it happen. After all, making your website easier to navigate can help users avoid accidental interactions with suspicious links or buttons.

Other accessibility and educational design features like screen reading, onboarding guides and account creation tips, as well as highly visible alerts can help users stay informed and enact security measures.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity should no longer just be up to IT teams—web designers need to collaborate with them and take a proactive approach when building their websites.

Cybersecurity should be prioritized at every stage of design and in every element of the website being created.

After all, the whole website is worth nothing if it’s completely compromised!