Is your WordPress website protected from hackers?
A hacked WordPress site can cause serious issues—sometimes all at once. From lost data to major security risks, having your website hacked can bring your business to a standstill. Not to mention, fixing a hacked site can be expensive and time-consuming. So, how can you avoid the nightmare of a hack?
Let’s look at some of the most common problems caused by a hack and how you can prevent it.
Worst Case Scenario When Your WordPress Site Is Hacked
A hacked WordPress website doesn’t just disrupt business, it can harm your reputation and customer trust. For example, your site might get suspended by your web host if it’s flagged for suspicious activity. It could also be defaced, or even worse, show a scary popup to your visitors.
One of the most severe consequences is that Google might blacklist your website, which will prevent people from accessing it. Imagine your site showing a “404 Error” or redirecting visitors to spammy websites instead of your actual content!
How Hacking Affects Your Brand’s Reputation
A hacked site can cause a lot of frustration for customers. They might even decide to visit a competitor instead. The “White Screen of Death” (WSOD) might pop up, leaving your users with nothing but a blank page. A slow-loading site or broken URLs could also push visitors away. If Google finds that your site redirects users to malicious sites, your brand reputation can take a huge hit.
Why It’s Best to Prevent a Hack
Even small WordPress sites are vulnerable to malware, DDoS attacks, or hackers using your site for Black Hat SEO. But the good news is, there are plenty of ways to keep your site safe and prevent a hack before it happens. It’s much easier—and cheaper—to take preventive steps than it is to clean up after a hack.
Here’s a list of essential tips to keep your WordPress website hack-free:
1. Update to the Latest PHP Version
Always use the latest PHP version on your WordPress site. Newer versions come with enhanced security features that make it harder for hackers to access your site.
2. Keep WordPress Up-to-Date
Always make sure you’re using the latest version of WordPress. Each new update comes with security patches that fix known vulnerabilities. Many hacks happen because websites run outdated software.
3. Update Plugins Regularly
Outdated plugins are another major vulnerability. Hackers love exploiting security holes in plugins. To keep your site safe, always make sure your plugins are up-to-date and remove any you don’t need.
4. Remove Unnecessary Plugins
The fewer plugins you have, the less chance there is for a hacker to exploit. So, remove any plugins that aren’t essential for your site. Also, make sure to check when a plugin was last updated before installing it.
5. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Using strong passwords and enabling 2FA for your WordPress site is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your site secure. Make sure your passwords are long, unique, and hard to guess.
6. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A WAF like Wordfence can help block malicious traffic before it even reaches your site. It will also limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
What to Do If Your Site Gets Hacked
If your WordPress site is already hacked, you need to act quickly. Start by scanning your website using a malware plugin like Wordfence. This will help you identify suspicious files or code injections that need to be removed.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix a hacked site:
- Access Files: Use an FTP client or file manager to access your website files.
- Remove Suspicious Files: Delete any files you don’t recognize, except for essential ones like wp-content and wp-config.php.
- Reinstall Plugins: Delete old plugins and reinstall them to ensure they are the latest versions.
- Change Passwords: Update all passwords—FTP, WordPress admin, and user passwords.
- Clean Up: Remove unwanted themes, suspicious uploads, and any malware from your website.
Keeping Your Developer’s Computer Safe
It’s not just your WordPress site that needs protection. Developers working on your site should also keep their computers virus-free to avoid transferring malware onto your website.
Regularly Check Website Health
Make sure to keep an eye on your site’s health by checking for plugin updates, PHP version updates, and overall security regularly.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to WordPress security. Many website owners underestimate the damage a hack can cause until it’s too late. Taking a few precautionary steps now can save you from massive headaches in the future. For instance, investing in a reliable security plugin, conducting regular backups, and running vulnerability scans are essential. Even small lapses, like weak passwords or unused themes left on your server, can give hackers an easy way in. Think of your website as a digital storefront—locking the doors at night is just as important as keeping the lights on during the day.
Keeping your WordPress website secure isn’t always easy, but it’s much more manageable when you stay proactive. If you’re in Markham or anywhere else, BaseCreative is here to help you secure and maintain your WordPress site. Our expert team can assist with everything from regular updates to malware removal, ensuring that your website stays hack-free and performs at its best.