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Why Website Reinfections Happen & How to Stop Them?

Updated on: March 29, 2020

Why Website Reinfections Happen & How to Stop Them?

Digital World has its drawbacks and security threats. Regardless of how careful you have been with the website design, you can never assure 100% security.

Algorithms change, content demand is different every day and criteria of the website security changes with all of it too. Hackers are getting smarter day by day, and website reinfection is common now. Even after opting for the best security solutions, people get re-infected, what could be the reason?

This article answers all your questions. We have gone extra lengths to explain the above question and many more related to website reinfections. If removing malware is your first concern, refer to our other guide “How you can find the malware and remove them.”

Why does website reinfection happen?

Source: Freepik

Website reinfection happens when you give hackers or ransom collectors a clear way to breach the security of your website. Before we jump to the reasons for website infections. Let me ask you a question, do you think leaving your garden without pesticides will not invite bugs? If you are nodding in ‘Yes’ then, remember your website in a vulnerable state does the same.

Now, the possible things that might leave the doors open for malware or hackers are below:

  1. Weak scripting
  2. Easy passwords
  3. Improper implementation of WAF
  4. Shared hosting
  5. Free templates or plugins
  6. Working in insecure channels
  7. Hacking of server or hosting
  8. Untrustworthy co-workers
  9. Outdated and vulnerable software components
  10. Improper file/folder permissions
  11. Restoring from infected backups
  12. Improper CMS configuration
  13. Phishing
  14. Open ports

All of these can leave your website at the risk of hackers. Sometimes, when you ignore security checks or trust the wrong person with code or passwords – you can face website re-infections. The web design expert namely Robin Jackman from Australian Master has also advised you for the security up to date. He said,

New malware types and preventions are required to be safe online.

How it can affect your website?

There is a long list of infections that a single malware or ransomware can cause to your website. These viruses are powerful and if they attack, they can reach to any folder of your website. Some of the common consequences of these infections are as follows:

  • It can damage the SEO of your website
  • Change the design of your website
  • Redirect your pages to malicious websites
  • Run malware containing ads on your web
  • Give your website access to the criminals

It clearly shows that many buyers or customers of your website will never return. Either because of the redirection, defacement or a more serious compromisation to their data such as credit card information or identity. Of course, who will come back to the place where their personal information is compromised?

Invariably, your traffic will plunge. Your ad accounts can get suspension notice too. Your website can get blacklisted by search engines. If not worked on quickly, it can eventually result in your website getting out of the search results.

Types of malware that causes reinfection

We know you need answers and solutions for prevention. Different types of malware (including malware, worms, viruses, trojans, hybrids, ransomware, etc.) can cause a problem on your website. The purpose of these viruses can be different. Some are ransomware and others damage the complete content of your website.

Users would be redirected to a malicious website, or they can install the malware in the system of a visitor. Advertising on your website can be about inappropriate or scamming content. Your website will be suspended by the search engines, and the SEO will be damaged. Fortunately, there are remedies and multiple preventions for saving the website from security breaching which we will discuss later in this article.

The following are the different viruses that can cause serious infection to your website.

  • Worms
  • Viruses
  • Trojans
  • Hybrids
  • Ransomware
  • Fileless malware
  • Adware
  • Malvertising

All the defacement, backdoors or malware will ultimately affect your revenue. The visitor will land to your website and will lose interest and trust both by seeing the unexpected, harmful or irrelevant content. Adware and malvertising can also cause unwanted downloads to the visitor’s system. Some of the infections can even attack the files of your website too.

How to find malware on your website?

You already know the problem, now the issue is identifying the malware. Run your website through this online security checker to check your website for malware, blacklists, and spam.

If you are an Astra customer, use your in-built malware scanner to scan for malware. In case, it does flag some files, you can delete them right there with Astra’s one-click malware removal feature. If you are not an Astra customer, you can sign up from here to remove all the infections and secure your website in just about 6-8 hours.

We have found that, backdoors and fake users cause for the most website reinfections. Removing these backdoors can be quite tricky by yourself. Here are a few resources you can take help from in finding and removing those backdoors:

How to save your website from reinfection?

Usually, weak websites are the target of hackers. They routinely attack these sites and infect their codes to reach private information. Disguised plugins, backdoors or phishing helps them in attacking the website. The question is how to prevent your website from malware attacks?

  • First of all, repair all the vulnerabilities of your website.
  • Save your code
  • Create unique passwords
  • Avoid free plugins.
  • Move to secure hosting.
  • Don’t trust anyone with the security information of your website until you trust these people completely.
  • Test your website and all the access points before going online.

However, you are in an online world so, try to keep the check of your web and keep cleaning it after some time by following the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Find out the source

Step 2: Look for the malicious code snippets

Step 3: Clean your website or get help from professionals

Apart from that, you can have a web application firewall (WAF) to avoid this malware at first. Also, always keep a backup of your files. You cannot trust the software or tools to help you recover the complete data. Therefore, backup is necessary to recreate your web and get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

You might have heard the news about the Magecart skimming malware attack affecting more than 18,000 websites. Being attacked by cybercriminals is no less than the robbers you meet on the streets. The purpose is the same, either robbery or rivalry. It is up to you to be smart and protect your online business website from website reinfection.

Amanda Jerelyn

Amanda Jerelyn is a talented Information & Technology tutor at King Essay. She is a hardworking individual with a mind of curious and explorer. She prefers guiding people about all the new happenings in the IT industry. She is also an avid reader and contributor to the cybersecurity genre.
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