Cyber Attacks |

Identifying Common Types of Cyberattacks

On July 24, 2018

Is your website behaving strangely? Have you noticed it’s taking a long time to load, or that there are new pages, lines of code, or files on your site you didn’t create? Or perhaps you’ve seen a drastic decrease in site traffic, or you suddenly can’t log in as an admin? These are just a few visible signs that your site might be experiencing a cyberattack.

Of course, just because you’re not experiencing any of these symptoms doesn’t mean your website is secure. In fact, it’s possible for attacks and infections on your website to go undetected for years. To help ensure your site isn’t a target for cyberattacks, you need to know what you’re dealing with. In this blog, we’ll discuss what cyberattacks are, the most common types of attacks your website is likely to face, and most importantly, how you can prevent them.

Pluginsmonsters Fake Plugin Allows Access to WordPress Sites

By Weston Henry

On May 23, 2018

In Cyber Attacks, SiteLock Research

The SiteLock Research team has become aware of sites infected with fake WordPress plugins that provide cybercriminals with backdoor access and allow them to inject malicious content onto web pages. Below is a high-level overview of the plugins and malware being detected by our scanners and analyzed by SiteLock Research analysts. We also cover effective tips to help protect your site.

What Website Owners Need to Know About Cyberattacks In 2018

By Joyce Tammany

On January 31, 2018

In Cyber Attacks, SiteLock Research

Imagine if one in every 15 websites you visited was secretly taken over by cybercriminals trying to steal your credit card information or other personal data. Now imagine if that website was your website, and you had no idea it was harming your visitors. This is the reality for many website owners, and now more than ever, they need to be on alert for cyberattacks in 2018.

In Q3 2017, SiteLock discovered alarming cybercrime trends that will likely affect websites for months to come. The most worrying trend for website owners: cybercriminals are increasingly using malware, or software that is used for malicious purposes, to take advantage of website visitors. In fact, nearly 15 percent of malware attacks targeted website visitors with the goal of exploiting them for sensitive data, website traffic, and other assets or resources. That’s not all: cybercriminals attempted to compromise more websites in Q3 2017 than in the previous quarter, increasing their attempted attacks by 16 percent.

Decoding Security Episode 103: Internet of Things

By Lauren Papagalos

On October 17, 2017

In Cyber Attacks, SiteLock Podcast

Internet-connected devices can make our lives easier, from home assistants like Amazon Echo, to interactive toys like CloudPets. However, they’re also inherently insecure and easily hacked, a factor many overlook in favor of convenience. In our latest Decoding Security podcast, Website Security Research Analysts Jessica Ortega and Michael Veenstra discuss the risks of using internet-connected devices in our everyday lives, and the costs of security versus convenience.

Missed our last episode: Securing Your Website? Don’t worry, you can now subscribe to Decoding Security on YouTube, as well as your preferred podcasting service, including iTunes and Google Play!

How Website Vulnerabilities Are Getting Your Site Hacked

By Lauren Papagalos

On April 28, 2017

In Cyber Attacks

We all know someone who’s been in a difficult position following a security breach. They are rushing to assess the damage, while simultaneously repairing website functionality to limit the compromise. It’s a stressful situation, especially if you’ve had to deal with a compromise more than once. Unfortunately for some website owners this is a reality — shortly after the initial security breach, the website becomes compromised again. It leaves the website owner asking why their website is being targeted and how the website re-infection is happening.

The short answer is that it’s most likely due to unresolved website vulnerabilities. While it may seem like you’ve been singled out and targeted by some menacing hackers, most of the time that isn’t the case. The majority of website compromises are preceded by automated campaigns that locate websites vulnerable to a particular exploit the hacker wishes to employ. The bottom line is, you aren’t the target that the hacker is singling out, it’s the software on your website. There are a couple main culprits for this scenario.

What is a Website Vulnerability and How Can it be Exploited?

By Jessica Ortega

On April 25, 2017

In Cyber Attacks

Websites experience 22 attacks per day on average— that’s over 8,000 attacks per year, according to SiteLock data. A website vulnerability is a weakness or misconfiguration in a website or web application code that allows an attacker to gain some level of control of the site, and possibly the hosting server. Most vulnerabilities are exploited through automated means, such as vulnerability scanners and botnets. Cybercriminals create specialized tools that scour the internet for certain platforms, like WordPress or Joomla, looking for common and publicized vulnerabilities. Once found, these vulnerabilities are then exploited to steal data, distribute malicious content, or inject defacement and spam content into the vulnerable site.

12 Days of Christmas Brought to You by SiteLock [Video]

By Lauren Papagalos

On December 25, 2016

In Cyber Attacks, SiteLock Videos

Merry Christmas from SiteLock! In the spirit of the season, we’ve created a satirical rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas to educate website owners about online risks. Watch the video to learn about some of the most common “gifts” cybercriminals are giving away this year.

Are Your Customers Afraid of Cyberattacks?

By Lauren Papagalos

On December 14, 2016

In Cyber Attacks

Retail therapy is the act of shopping with the primary purpose to improve the buyer’s mood. This form of “therapy” is practiced among many consumers, with more than half of Americans admitting to making a purchase as a way to lift their spirits. As therapeutic as shopping can be, it also raises fear among many consumers – especially around the holiday season. With websites, including eCommerce sites, experiencing 22 cyberattacks per day on average, shoppers have good reason to be concerned.

Hacked for the Holidays? 4 Website Security Tips for Safe Retailing

By Lauren Papagalos

On November 21, 2016

In Cyber Attacks

With the holidays quickly approaching and online shopping expected to hit record highs, it’s the perfect time to make sure your customers, and your bottom line, aren’t at risk. In fact, shipping experts like FedEx, are predicting another record-breaking year of shipments driven by eCommerce purchases.

With the push for holiday shopping about to begin, we conducted a survey to take a closer look at trends in online shopping and how that relates to what we’re passionate about: website security.

Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping

By Lauren Papagalos

On November 17, 2016

In Cyber Attacks

Festive decorations adorn storefronts and holiday music fills every shop; a reminder that the holiday season is upon us. It is a busy time of the year, full of parties, reunions with family and friends and plenty of shopping.

According to the National Retail Federation, 2016’s holiday sales are expected to increase 3.6 percent over last year to 655.8 billion dollars. Shoppers are estimated to spend an average of $935.58 on gifts, food, décor, cards, and personal purchases.

That means a lot of time spent in stores and online looking for just the right gift, decoration, or meal for the season. It is also a prime time for a crime, especially if you’re shopping online.

Category: Cyber Attacks (Page 1 of 8)

Identifying Common Types of Cyberattacks

Pluginsmonsters Fake Plugin Allows Access to WordPress Sites

What Website Owners Need to Know About Cyberattacks In 2018

Decoding Security Episode 103: Internet of Things

How Website Vulnerabilities Are Getting Your Site Hacked

What is a Website Vulnerability and How Can it be Exploited?

12 Days of Christmas Brought to You by SiteLock [Video]

Are Your Customers Afraid of Cyberattacks?

Hacked for the Holidays? 4 Website Security Tips for Safe Retailing

Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping

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