If you’ve ever been to a website and seen the message “This site can’t be reached,” then you know how frustrating a website crash can be.
But what if it wasn’t just a temporary problem? What if hackers had taken control of your site and were holding it hostage for ransom?
That’s precisely what happened to an Australian hospital in early 2017!
In this article, we’ll look at how your website data isn’t safe from hackers – even if you’re hosting on a host.
Vulnerabilities In Your Software
One way your website can be hacked is through vulnerabilities in the software you’re using.
For example, a hacker might find a way to exploit a security flaw in your WordPress installation.
Most websites and hosting plans offer automatic updates, so taking advantage of these is crucial!
Dangerous Plugins And Themes
Speaking of plugins and themes, did you know that there are tons of dangerous or abandoned ones out there? This is yet another way that your website can be hacked.
Hackers find old, poorly written code with security flaws in them – then they exploit those same bugs to take control of the site.
Sticking to well-known, reputable plugins and themes is the best way to avoid this. If you need help determining whether a plugin or theme is safe, research before installing it.
Insecure Web Hosting
Another way that your website can be hacked is through insecure web hosting. This happens when your host doesn’t take the necessary precautions to protect your site from attack.
One way to tell if your web hosting is secure is by checking to see if they offer SSL certification. This encrypts all the data between your site and visitors, making it much more difficult for hackers to steal information.
Malicious Code
Another way your site can be hacked is through malicious code inserted into your pages. This code might take the form of hidden iframes, JavaScript, or Flash files. It can even be as simple as an image file with an embedded executable file.
Using a good malware scanner is one way to protect yourself from this. These scanners will search your website for malicious code and remove it.
Brute Force Attacks
One of the most common ways websites are hacked is through brute force attacks. This simply means trying to guess your site’s username and password repeatedly until you get in.
The best way to prevent this is to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. You can also use a plugin like Limit Login Attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
Suspicious Ads
Another way your website can be hacked is through suspicious ads you’re displaying on your site. Hackers sometimes pay for ad space and then insert their malicious code into the ad.
Your readers might click on the ad and unwittingly do damage to their computers.
If you suspect any ads on your site are dangerous, remove them immediately! You can always buy new ones after your site’s been secured by a good malware scanner.
As you can see, there are many ways that your website data isn’t safe from hackers. But by following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your data. Stay safe!