If 2025 taught us anything, it is that no business is too small to be a target. With the rise of AI-driven cyberattacks, hackers no longer need to be coding geniuses; they just need the right scripts to scan millions of websites for vulnerabilities.
For London business owners, the stakes are financial and reputational. A data breach doesn't just mean a fine from the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office); it means losing the trust of your clients. At Custom Coded Websites, we build security into the DNA of our Django applications. We don't rely on flimsy plugins to patch holes; we build walls.
As we approach the new year, here is your essential website security checklist to survive the threat landscape of 2026.
1. Move Beyond Basic SSL to HSTS
By now, everyone knows they need the "green padlock" (SSL/HTTPS). But in 2026, that is the bare minimum.
You need to implement HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security). This forces browsers to only connect to your site via HTTPS, even if a user tries to type "http://" or clicks an insecure link. It prevents "man-in-the-middle" attacks that can strip away encryption. While many site builders make this hard to configure, we hard-code HSTS headers directly into our server configurations.
2. Block the AI Bots
The biggest shift in web traffic recently is the explosion of AI scrapers and bots. These bots don't just steal your content to train their models; they can hammer your login forms with "Credential Stuffing" attacks at lightning speed.
The Fix: Implement intelligent rate limiting and CAPTCHA v3. Unlike the annoying "click the traffic lights" puzzles, v3 works in the background to analyse user behaviour. If a "user" tries to login 50 times in one second, the system identifies them as a bot and blocks the IP address instantly.
3. Kill the "Admin" Username
It sounds simple, yet thousands of WordPress sites are hacked every day because the administrator account is simply named "admin."
In our custom Django builds, we enforce strict username policies and, more importantly, we often hide the administration URL entirely. Instead of yoursite.com/admin (which every hacker guesses), we move the control panel to a custom, secret URL that only your internal team knows.
4. Supply Chain Security (Dependency Audits)
Modern web development relies on third-party libraries. In the WordPress world, these are "plugins." If a plugin developer abandons their project, your site becomes vulnerable.
We use Python's robust package management system. We regularly run software composition analysis to scan every library your site uses against global vulnerability databases. If a library is flagged as insecure, we update or replace it immediately before it can be exploited.
5. Protection Against SQL Injection
SQL Injection is a classic attack where a hacker types code into your website's search bar or contact form to trick your database into revealing all your customer passwords.
This is where Custom Coded Websites shines. The Django framework has built-in protection against this. Its "Object-Relational Mapper" (ORM) automatically sanitises all data entering the system. While PHP sites often need manual sanitisation (which is easy to forget), our Python code handles it by default.
6. Zero Trust & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
In 2026, a password is not enough. If your staff accounts—especially those with access to customer data—are not protected by MFA, you are non-compliant with modern best practices.
We can integrate Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) (like Google Authenticator) directly into your custom admin panel. Even if a hacker steals your password, they cannot access the backend without your phone.
7. Regular Penetration Testing
Don't wait for a hacker to find a vulnerability; find it yourself first. For our enterprise clients, we recommend annual "Pen Tests."
This involves hiring ethical hackers to try and break into your site. They test your firewalls, your API endpoints, and your staff's susceptibility to phishing. It is a stress test for your digital infrastructure.
Conclusion: Security is a Process, Not a Product
You cannot buy "security" once and forget about it. It requires constant vigilance, regular updates, and a codebase that is built securely from the ground up.
If you are worried that your current website might be vulnerable to the threats of 2026, do not wait for a breach to find out.
Book a Security Audit with our team today. We will review your architecture and show you how a custom solution can keep your business safe.