Hunting for elusive knowledge about avoiding a WordPress hack? If you’ve already been hacked, it’s too late to take care of the situation yourself. You need to hire the experts at JMarketing for immediate assistance in malware removal and website restoration.

If your WordPress website hasn’t already been hacked, you should take the precautions listed in this article to reduce the chances of a successful cyberattack. Of course, having our expert team set up and maintain your defenses ensures that your website is nearly impenetrable.

WordPress is Popular for Good Reason – But Popularity Has a Price

Dive into the world of WordPress – the powerhouse behind 35% of the Internet. It’s user-friendly, makes SEO a breeze, customizable, and perfect for adding those unique features to your website.

However… running a WordPress website has a few drawbacks, especially when it comes to security. Did you know that according to Sucuri, out of 8,000 hacked websites they studied, 74% were on WordPress? That’s a number we can’t ignore!

To understand why so many WordPress sites get hacked, you need to understand who’s doing the hacking and what their motives are.

Understanding the ‘Bot’ Behind the Screen: Who’s Hacking You & Why

Forget the image of a lone hacker in a dark room; today’s digital threats are more likely to come from ‘bots’ – automated programs scouring the Internet for vulnerabilities. These bots are indiscriminate, testing every site they come across, including yours.

Why are these bots programmed to search every corner of the Internet for vulnerable sites? Simple – hackers can profit from hacked sites in a variety of ways.

The Motives Behind A WordPress Hack

Your relative anonymity or size as a company does not matter. Hackers DO NOT CARE if your site is important or not. They treat all sites equally, and any ability to access yoru files gives them an unlimited amount of ways to make money, and you might not even know they are doing it. The most common are:

Spam Distribution: Your WordPress site could be used to send out thousands of spam emails.

Data Theft: Hackers are after sensitive information, be it yours or your customers’.

Malware Spreading: Infecting your visitors’ devices can be part of a larger criminal scheme.

Ransom Demands: Some hackers lock you out of your site by changing the admin credentials and demand payment.

Resource Hijacking: Your website’s resources can be used for tasks like crypto mining.

Traffic Redirection: Redirecting your visitors to malicious sites can be part of a scam.

Sabotaging Competitors: Some shady businesses will pay hackers to attack competitors, which can lead to a revoked SSL certificate, a sudden drop in traffic from search engines or a temporary site shutdown.

The Invisible Threat: Stealthy WordPress Hacks

Understanding stealthy hacks is essential when considering the different risks to your WordPress site. Stealthy hacks are cyberattacks that quietly infiltrate systems, often remaining undetected while they gather information or cause harm.

A prime example is the 2013 Target data breach, where hackers infiltrated the company’s network and silently siphoned off credit card information of 41 million user accounts. This breach went undetected for weeks, showcasing the subtlety and persistence of such attacks.

Similarly, in 2017, the Equifax data breach exposed the personal information of 147 million people, yet it remained undetected for months.

These incidents underscore the importance of advanced security measures and continuous monitoring to detect and mitigate the impact of these elusive threats on businesses.

The Danger of Dormant Hacks

Protecting your website against difficult-to-detect dormant hacks, which may lie in wait for weeks or even months, is an essential part of cybersecurity.

Dormant hacks are devious cyber threats that embed themselves in a system and remain inactive for an extended period. This tactic allows hackers to avoid immediate detection and maintain long-term access to the compromised system.

A notable case was the Yahoo data breach, where a dormant hack led to the compromise of 3 billion accounts over several years before detection. These hacks can be particularly damaging because they might not be eradicated even when a system is restored from backups, allowing hackers to reactivate the breach. This scenario highlights the critical need for ongoing security monitoring and regular system audits to uncover and address these hidden threats.

Why a Robust Security System is Non-Negotiable

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a robust security system is crucial. Cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, making advanced, adaptable protection essential.

A professional security-focused WordPress installation, like that offered by JMarketing, ensures comprehensive coverage against a wide array of threats, from malware to advanced persistent threats.
It’s not just about safeguarding data; it’s about maintaining customer trust, ensuring business continuity, and meeting regulatory compliance. Our expertise in tailoring security solutions and providing proactive monitoring and ongoing support gives businesses the peace of mind to focus on their core operations, knowing their cybersecurity is in expert hands.

Why Your WordPress Site’s Security Should Be Your Top Priority

Imagine that your online business is thriving and the future looks bright – until you’re hit by a cyber-attack out of nowhere. Inc.com reports that 60% of small businesses affected by such attacks fold within six months. Even if your business survives, the devastating repercussions range from slowed site performance and crashes to a tarnished reputation and massive data breaches.

To truly understand how this happens and the repercussions, take a look at this eye-popping list of WordPress cybersecurity stats.

WordPress Security by the Numbers

Weak Passwords: Bad passwords can be easily overcome with brute force tactics. This accounts for 8% of hacked WordPress websites. Complex passwords are a must.

Outdated Sites: 61% of hacked WordPress sites were not up to date. It’s crucial to regularly update WordPress.

WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities: WordPress plugins account for 52% of the platform’s vulnerabilities. Choose wisely and avoid outdated plugins.

Google Blacklists: 70,000 sites are blacklisted weekly for security issues. Stay vigilant!

JMarketing’s Guide to Fortifying Your WordPress Site

Understanding cybersecurity best practices and setting up an alert system is a great start to protecting your WordPress site. These measures will reduce the likelihood of a successful hack and help you identify any issues quickly.

If you want the highest level of protection, however, you’ll need to enlist the experts at JMarketing to construct and maintain your site’s defenses.

The Most Crucial Cybersecurity Best Practices

1. Strong Passwords
   Mix letters, numbers, and symbols for a robust first line of defense against hacks.
   
2. Two-Factor Authentication
   This adds an extra layer of security during login.
   
3. Limit Login Attempts
   Restricting logins using a security plugin can discourage hackers.
   
4. Download Regular Updates
   Keep your WordPress version, plugins, and themes up to date.
   
5. Utilise WordPress Security Plugins
   These are essential for round-the-clock monitoring and protection.
   
6. Beware Of Nulled Themes & Plugins
   These pirated versions of popular WordPress themes and plugins can contain hidden malware. It’s like choosing between a Pizza Hut pizza and a suspiciously cheap pizza sold by a street vendor – the risks are real.
   
7. Disable the Editing of WordPress files
   Once your site is live, restricting file edit permission can prevent code tampering in core files. Incorrect file permissions, especially for configuration files, are a common attack vector for hackers.
   
8. Customize Your WordPress Admin Login URL
   A unique URL reduces the risk of brute force attacks.
   
9. Regular Backups
   Utilize a reliable backup program to regularly save your site’s data and content.
   
10. Plugin Vigilance
    Only install reputable plugins and keep them updated.
    
11. Monthly Plugin Updates
    Regular updates and checks are essential, as these updates often fix security issues.
    
12. Setting up a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
    Implementing a WAF will prevent attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and malicious code injection on web apps used by your site.
    
13. Protect Your Devices To Keep Your Site Secure
    Even if your website is secure, hackers can compromise your devices and gain unauthorized access to your site. Protect your devices with powerful antivirus software.
    
14. Google Search Console & Norton Safe Web: Our Recommended Alert Systems
    Registering with Google Search Console and checking your site on Norton Safe Web is crucial. Norton often flags issues before Google, and many ISPs use Norton’s services.

If you notice any security alerts on Google Search Console or Norton Safe Web, hire the cybersecurity team at JMarketing to take care of all your cybersecurity issues quickly and thoroughly. After we resolving all issues, we’ll submit a review request on Norton Safe Web. This is a critical step in clearing your site’s name.

Whose Responsibility Is It to Keep Your WordPress Website Hack-Free?

Every website is vulnerable to hacking. It’s a common mistake to blame the web hosting providers or the developers for a WordPress hack, but the responsibility for security lies with the site owner. This means that (unless you’re a cybersecurity expert yourself) you need to engage a team of proven professionals to secure your site.

A dedicated security and maintenance system is essential. This includes choosing a reputable WordPress hosting provider, implementing a firewall, setting up real-time file change alerts, keeping the site updated, and utilizing the latest and most powerful cybersecurity tools.

JMarketing’s Maintenance & Security Package

We offer a comprehensive maintenance and security package, guaranteeing your site’s safety. If your site is compromised under our watch, we’ll fix it for free.

Interested in securing your digital presence? Reach out to us on our contact page for a consultation.