GoDaddy Security Breach Reveals Risks Affecting WordPress Websites

 Posted on December 28,2021 in Legal Websites

In the 21st century, nearly everyone uses online services on a daily basis, and information about many people and companies is stored in a variety of systems. While data is protected by passwords, firewalls, encryption, and other methods, security breaches occur all too regularly, resulting in the potential exposure of sensitive information. One recent security breach demonstrated the potential risks that may affect some websites that use the WordPress content management system (CMS). By understanding the security issues that can affect them, website owners can make sure they are taking the correct steps to protect their data and continue operating their sites successfully.

GoDaddy Managed WordPress Sites Hacked

On November 17, 2021, GoDaddy announced that it had discovered a security breach that affected WordPress websites managed through the GoDaddy environment. Beginning in September of 2021, hackers exploited a vulnerability in GoDaddy’s systems and gained access to its WordPress platform. This breach resulted in the potential exposure of 1.2 million customer email addresses, and hackers were also able to access these customers’ websites and install malware.

WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world, and it is used by millions of websites. However, because this platform is so widely used, and due to its open-source nature and the extensive use of plugins, it is often targeted by hackers. There are many vulnerabilities in WordPress software, and when a site is hacked, malware or other types of code may be installed that is used to gain access to sensitive information or spread viruses.

Maintaining Strong Website Security Practices

To prevent data breaches, website owners will want to follow a number of best practices to ensure that a site is secure. It is important to use strong passwords for any accounts with administrative privileges. If hackers guess passwords and gain access to a site, they may make a number of changes that may not be immediately obvious but may compromise people’s data and spread malicious code.

Website owners will also want to make sure a site’s software is kept up to date. WordPress and other CMSs release updates regularly, and these updates will often include security patches that address vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access to a site. It is also important to regularly update any plugins used on a site, since these may contain vulnerabilities that could allow a hacker to gain access or make changes to a site’s code. Any plugins that are no longer used should be removed from a site to prevent security issues. A company can also use secured WiFi networks, firewalls, and SSL certificates to prevent unauthorized access to its data or computer systems.

Contact Our Website Security Experts

At OVC, INC., we understand the security issues that affect sites using WordPress and other software, and we are prepared to address any concerns that may affect a website’s data or sensitive information about a company or its customers. We build most of the websites we develop on the Joomla platform, which helps avoid some of the vulnerabilities that affect WordPress websites, and we make sure the sites we create and host are kept up to date, backed up regularly, and secure against potential attacks. To learn how we can help you make sure your website is fully secure, contact our website development team today at 630-635-8000.

Sources:

https://domainnamewire.com/2021/11/22/major-security-breach-impacts-godaddy-managed-wordpress-customers/

https://www.godaddy.com/garage/how-to-improve-wordpress-security/

https://geekflare.com/joomla-security/