Common Types of WordPress Hacks + How To Protect Your Site

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, which unfortunately makes it a prime target for hackers.

There are a number of different ways that a website can be attacked and become compromised.

Understanding the common types of attacks and how they can be prevented is important for keeping your website as safe and secure as possible.

Is Your Site Already Hacked or Compromised?

If your site is already showing symptoms of being hacked, responding fast is crucial to minimising the damage and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.

If you need professional assistance in securing and cleaning your hacked WordPress site, call us now on (07) 5531 3810 or enquire online.

1. Brute Force Attacks

Brute force attacks are one of the simplest forms of cyber-attacks, yet they can be incredibly effective. 

In a brute force attack, hackers use automated tools to try numerous username and password combinations until they find the correct one. 

The majority of brute force attacks are conducted by bots. These automated scripts are designed to try numerous username and password combinations rapidly and relentlessly until they succeed in gaining access. Bots are particularly effective for brute force attacks because they can operate continuously and at high speed, far beyond human capabilities.

This method mainly exploits the use of weak passwords and unprotected login pages.

How to help Prevent Brute Force Attacks

Avoid Common Usernames: Don’t use the default usernames that come with a WordPress install such as admin, administrator or test. ‘Admin’ is by far the most commonly used username for WordPress sites, so naturally it is the first username that is attacked.   

Use Stronger Passwords: Ensure all users have complex passwords that combine upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. It is usually simple passwords or overused passwords that are compromised. 

Limit Login Attempts: Install a plugin such as like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to restrict the number of failed login attempts that are allowed to come from a single IP address. 

Two-Factor Authentication: Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. This means even if a password is cracked, the perpetrator still won’t be able to gain access to your website without the two-factor code that will be sent to you. 

CAPTCHA Verification: Add CAPTCHA verification on login pages. reCAPTCHA is an effective tool to mitigate such attacks by introducing challenges that are easy for humans but difficult for bots to complete. This prevents automated bots from cycling through commonly used username/password combinations as they attempt to gain access to your site. 

2. SQL Injection Attacks on WordPress Websites

SQL injection attacks involve inserting malicious SQL queries into input fields, which are then executed by the database. 

This can lead to unauthorised access to your database allowing hackers to steal information or manipulate data.

How to Prevent SQL Injection Attacks

Update and Patch WordPress: Regularly update the WordPress core, themes, and all plugins you use so you can stay safe from known software vulnerabilities.

Use Security Plugins: Use security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri to help detect and block SQL injection attempts.

Validate and Sanitize Form Inputs: User inputs should always be validated and sanitized to prevent malicious data from being processed. Most good form builder plugins will already do this correctly

3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks

XSS attacks occur when attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal user data, such as cookies or session tokens, and manipulate website content.

How to Prevent XSS Attacks

Escape Outputs: When you display data on your website such as comments, user profiles, or any information submitted through forms, you need to make sure that this data doesn’t contain any harmful code.

Escaping outputs means cleaning this data before it’s shown on your website to ensure that any malicious code that may have been added is harmlessly displayed as plain text instead of the code running and being executed.

Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement CSP headers to restrict the sources from which scripts can be loaded.

A CSP helps prevent malicious scripts from running on your website by only allowing scripts from trusted sources. If an attacker tries to insert a harmful script from an untrusted source, the browser will block it, keeping your site and users safe.

Regular Security Audits: Perform regular security audits to identify and fix XSS vulnerabilities.

The easiest way to implement CSP is by using a plugin like “HTTP Headers” or “Security Headers.” These plugins let you set up CSP rules without needing to manually edit code.

Sanitize User Inputs: Ensure all user inputs are properly sanitized before being rendered on the website. Many popular WordPress plugins automatically sanitize their inputs.

For example, contact form plugins like Contact Form 7 or WPForms handle input sanitation for you.

The best policy when choosing appropriate plugins for your site is to opt for those with positive reviews, regular updates, clear documentation on security practices, and are developed by trusted organisations.

4. Malware Infections: Types and Removal Techniques

Malware is any malicious software designed to harm or exploit a website by compromising site functionality, stealing data, and/or spreading to visitors.

Types of Malware

Viruses: Replicate themselves and spread across files and systems.

Trojans: Disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users into installing them.

Spyware: Collects information from users without their knowledge.

Ransomware: Encrypts your data and demands payment for its release.

How to Help Prevent Malware Infections

Here are some effective strategies to help you avoid getting malware:

Update the WordPress Core: Always use the latest version of WordPress, as updates often include important security patches.

Update Plugins and Themes: Regularly update all your plugins and themes to ensure they have the latest security enhancements.

Implement A Security Plugin: Use security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security to provide ongoing protection and monitoring.

Regular Malware Scans: Configure these plugins to perform regular security scans to detect potential threats.

Use Automated Backups: Set up automated backups that are stored somewhere other than your hosting such as Google Drive. You can do this using plugins like UpdraftPlus or a service like ManageWP.

Limit User Permissions: Only give admin access to trusted individuals and assign the appropriate user roles/permissions to others. Don’t give a user a higher level of access than they require to do their job.

Track Changes: Use plugins that log and monitor user activity and file changes so you can keep an eye on what changes are being made and which user is making them.

Education:  Keep up with the latest security practices and threats by following reputable security blogs and resources. Educate your team on security best practices and how to recognize potential threats.

5. Phishing Attacks on WordPress Sites: Identification and Prevention

Phishing attacks trick users into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details. These attacks often use fake login pages or deceptive emails.

How to Identify Phishing Attacks

WordPress sends automated emails from time-to-time, sometimes hackers will use this as a means to trick you into entering sensitive details.

Train yourself and your users/staff to recognise phishing attempts and practice safe online habits.

Suspicious Emails: Be wary of emails that ask for sensitive information or direct you to unfamiliar websites. Check the actual name and email of the sender. If they are different, it is a sign that the email may be malicious.

Unexpected Requests: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments in email messages that have come from unknown senders or suspicious email addresses.

Fake Login Pages: If you do happened to click links from an email to a website and it asks you to log in, check for discrepancies in the website URL or layout of login pages.

Harden Up Your WordPress Security 

By understanding these common types of WordPress hacks and implementing the recommended prevention techniques, you can significantly enhance the security of your WordPress website.

Regularly updating your security practices and staying informed about new threats will help protect your site and its users from potential attacks. Website security plugins as well as recurring website maintenance packages will help safeguard your site against cyber threats.

Contact us today to ensure your site’s safety and security or call now on (07) 5531 3810 for assistance.