Common Reasons for Website Hacking & How to Prevent Them

Websites can get hacked and compromised in many ways. Below are some of the primary methods.

1. Using common passwords:

Compromised account details are the crucial concern that may result in an easy way to hack WordPress websites. The most common mistake is to set a password that is weak and simple to guess or deduce by trying variations of passwords. It is essential to create a password that is hard to figure out and also ensure not to use the same password for different websites. In addition, make use of security tools like two-factor authentication in WordPress.

2. Keep software updated:

An outdated software might not be equipped with a certain patch that may make it vulnerable to the hacks. Ensure that your web server software, CMS, plugins and other crucial software related to the website are all set for the automatic updation. If that option is unavailable, make it certain to manually update this software.

3. Check for your WordPress themes and plugins:

It is essential that the WordPress themes and the plugins of the website are patched. Outdated themes, plugins, and WordPress version are the main reason hackers gain access to your site. Even deactivated themes and plugins can leave your system vulnerable. At the same time, ensure to delete the themes or plugins that are additional and no longer used for the site.

4. Web Phishing:

Phishing attacks more often makes one believe that they are dealing with a genuine webmaster, it involves tricking the user to steal confidential information, passwords, etc, into thinking you are a confidential site. It is highly recommended that a user refrains from sharing personal information with someone they aren’t familiar with. 

5. Security policy loopholes:

Certain security policies like permitting users to create weak passwords, easily giving away access to the admin and not enabling HTTPS on your site, can cause negative consequences. Google recommends implementing a strict security policy in order to protect the website.

6. Improperly managed data:

Your website data is referred to as leaked when it is mishandled or improperly uploaded. Data leaks can result in hacking. Attackers may utilize the technique in search engines to detect compromised data. Ensure that employees have an access only to the required data and also make use of URL removal tool to ensure Google doesn’t index sensitive URLs in search results. 

Security tips to prevent website hacking

Implementing certain security tips can help secure your website from any type of hacks. Below listed are few of the points that you must consider preventing website hacking:

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for any service that requires you to log in your credentials. 2FA makes it difficult for hackers to log in, despite having successfully stolen your password.
• Update your CMS, plugins, extensions, and modules regularly.
• The data used on the website should be secured locally in a password protected computer. You should also keep changing the account credentials from time to time.
• Ensure to verify the legitimacy of the customers, visitors on a post or for a click, instead of falling for a spam.
• Create and save your website related documents in a manner that they are not accessible by others. You may integrate a disallow button to avoid other users from accessing the document.
• By protecting your own computer system, you can eliminate some of the threat to your website. Even the simplest of malware attacks can lead to severe complications.