When you run a home care agency, you’re already focused on protecting others, but are you doing enough to protect your website?
Website security isn’t just nice to have. It’s critical. If your site isn’t regularly maintained and updated, it becomes an open door for hackers, malware, and data breaches—and that could damage your credibility with the families and referral sources who trust you.
At corecubed, we’ve seen firsthand how a small oversight can turn into a big mess. Fortunately, there are simple, proactive steps you can take to protect your website and your business.
Yes, Hackers Target Small Businesses—Including Home Care Agencies
Think hackers are only going after big companies? Think again.
In fact, small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger ones, according to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report. Why? Because they often don’t have the resources—or routines—in place to keep their websites secure.
Many attacks stem from things that are completely preventable, like:
- Outdated WordPress versions
- Vulnerable plugins or themes
- Weak administrator passwords
- Lack of regular site backups
We’ve worked with multiple agencies that unknowingly let these cracks form—and it didn’t take long for bots or bad actors to slip through.
The Real Cost of a Security Breach
One agency we worked with had their site blacklisted by Google after malware was discovered on their homepage. Their search rankings tanked, referral partners couldn’t access their content, and potential clients were met with big red “unsafe site” warnings.
Cleaning it up took days of work, not to mention lost credibility and missed opportunities during the downtime.
All of that could have been avoided with a basic monthly maintenance plan.
What You Can Do Right Now
Your home care website doesn’t need to be a fortress, but it does need some solid locks. Here’s what we recommend:
- Keep your CMS and plugins updated: Don’t ignore those WordPress or plugin update alerts. Updates often include critical security patches.
- Use strong passwords: Admin credentials should be long, unique, and hard to guess. Consider a password manager to keep things secure.
- Install security software: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri can help monitor and protect your site.
- Use HTTPS: If your website doesn’t have an SSL certificate yet, it’s time. HTTPS is now a standard for user trust and Google rankings.
- Back up your website regularly: That way, if anything does go wrong, you have a clean version to restore.
- Work with experts who stay on top of home care cybersecurity threats: Cybersecurity isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s an ongoing process.
Why It Matters
Your website is often the first impression families have of your agency. It’s where they go to learn about your services, read testimonials, and fill out contact forms. However, for home care agencies, maintaining strong website security isn’t just about protecting your brand—it’s also a key component of HIPAA compliance, helping to safeguard clients’ personal health information from unauthorized access. A hacked site—especially one that risks the security of a client’s personal data—can instantly break that trust.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to keep your website safe. You just need the right support.
Want peace of mind that your website is protected?
We’re here to help! We’ll handle the ongoing maintenance, software updates, and security checks so you can focus on what you do best—providing exceptional care. Reach out to us any time at 800.370.6580 to get started.