More recently, in December 2017, Google deemed over 1.2 Million sites as being \u2018dangerous\u2019 (containing Malware or Phishing\u2026this is due to hacking!) with over 50,000 often being added to these blacklists weekly. (Source: Google Transparency Report<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u2018hacking\u2019 sounds scary, right? And it is. But what does it actually mean to have your website hacked?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a deep breath and let us explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being hacked means that someone (or something) has gained access to your website files without your permission. There are many things a hacker might do once they are inside your website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t know why or how hackers operate, you might be incorrectly assuming that you are not at risk from hacking \u2013 \u201cWhy would they target me? I\u2019m small fry. There\u2019s nothing of value in targeting my website.\u201d \u2013 is the type of reasoning we hear from people whose websites have been compromised. You are not too small. Being small, does not mean you\u2019re safe. Most hacking is actually carried out by a series of automated bots developed by hackers to crawl through the internet looking for vulnerabilities in code or infrastructure. All successful attempts can be added to the hackers ever increasing portfolio and used for any of the reasons listed above. Hackers don\u2019t care how big or small your website is. 10,000 hacked websites, just like yours, is like winning lottery for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several main ways in which websites get hacked\u2026and they are all preventable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having your website hacked can be a terrible and distressing experience. However, the damage can go much further than the distress and inconvenience it causes. And with GDPR<\/a> coming in May 2018 it\u2019s more important than ever to keep your website and data secure<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not always immediately obvious that your website has been hacked, so how do you know if your website has been compromised?<\/p>\n\n\n\n We take great pride and pleasure in protecting the websites of business owners whose websites, and reputation, are critical to the running of their business. Our Website Care Plans<\/a> include everything that is required to keep your WordPress website safe, secure, and always available to the next potential client who is ready to view, contact, sign up, or buy from you<\/p>\n\n\n\n and their support has made such a difference to my business.<\/p>\nRosie Letts<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re the sort to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, we have have also prepared a short list of simple things that you can do yourself to lower the chances of you getting hacked. These can be viewed in our previous blog 6 ways to reduce your chance of getting hacked.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to chat with us about whether a Website Care Plan could be just what you need to take this worry off your hands, then get in touch to book a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat does \u2018hacking\u2019 mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why are they doing this?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow do they do it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What can happen if your website is hacked?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What can you do to protect your website?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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My website is my most valuable asset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n