Keep those hackers away!

By Happy Creative

04 Feb 2016

Sylwia Lukjanowska, web developer at Blackpool-based full-service agency, Happy Creative, discusses how hackers are looking for holes in your website which could potentially harm your business.

Nowadays, any website can become the target of a hacker. From little known blogs to robust eCommerce sites, hackers are always looking for an easy access. Private information may not be the only thing that hackers are looking for. In fact, a large portion of website hacks is nothing more than breaking the pages.

These are some of the most common ways and reasons why your website could become the next target.

Brute Force Attack

In simple words, Brute Force Attack, is when a hacker tries combinations of usernames and passwords as long as he or she gets an access to your site.

Our advice, protect yourself, your customers and your website. Never use a “admin” username. Never use password like “12345”.

In most instances, the Brute Force attacks are not manual, instead they are being randomly executed by supporting bots, part of larger networks. They’re configured to randomly crawl the web and trying to get access to websites’ back-end.

According to sucuri.net, the top three usernames people use to protect their websites are:

Admin – 84 per cent Administrator – 4 per cent Root – 4 per cent And top 3 passwords are:

password – 14 per cent admin – 10 per cent 123456 – 6 per cent If you use login details similar to above, for a hacker or a bot, it will be a matter of seconds to get your site’s login details.

Phishing Emails

“Phishing” refers to emails that attempts to fraudulently acquire personal information from you, such as your account password or credit card information. The email may appear to be from a legitimate company or individual, but it’s not.

As a general rule, never send credit card information, account passwords, or extensive personal information in an email unless you verify that the recipient is who they claim to be. Many companies have policies that state they will never ask for that kind of information from their customers by email.

If you receive a huge amount of spam, the best you can do is not to open it. But if you’re very curious and have an urge to open them, be very cautious of links and attachments inside of them. Many of them can take you to sites which straight away will install various cookies on your machine in order to get your personal details or even control your machine!

Outdated Scripts and Software

Scripts are often used to develop a website to control everything from graphics to databases. They are also a common element for hackers to get an access to the website. Outdated installation scripts for web-based applications, plugins and add-ons can open the doors to hackers.

It’s highly important that you always keep all plugins, CMS version and extensions up to date. Code you use to develop your website or application has to be valid and according to latest standards.

If you’re unsure how to update scripts or code, ask your web developer for help.

Personal Computer Security

When a personal computer is hacked, the attack could include stealing saved information for websites and logins. These hacks on your machine can come from compromised websites, infected software or through bots scanning various IP addresses looking for weaknesses.

Also, it’s important that you use private, password protected network, instead of public one when logging in to your website.

How to remove malicious code?

If you have a clean backup of your site’s contents, you may be able to restore the site by re-uploading all of the site’s files—including your website software (WordPress, Drupal, other). When doing this, make sure that you are using the latest version of your site’s software. Be aware that you may be overwriting files that have changed since your last backup.

If you do not have a clean backup of your site, manual removal of the bad code may be the best option. Once you have located malicious code, removing it can be as simple as deleting it from all files in which it appears. You should be sure to check for some hidden files where hackers could “inject” some bad code. Remember, that always prevention is a much better solution than fixing. Ask your web developer for any maintenance packages which will keep your website safe and secure.

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin