Website Defacement Attack: What Is It and How to Protect WordPress?

A website defacement attack, also known as a WordPress defacement, occurs when a hacker alters the legitimate content of a website with their own message.

Typically, hackers use malware to deface WordPress sites. In that case, you can simply scan your website to see what’s wrong with it and how you can fix it.

But there is something more to it than just scanning your site.

Today, we will walk you through the step-by-step process that will not only recover your WordPress website from a defacement attack but also increase its security against future attacks.

Ready? Let’s get started!

What is a Website Defacement Attack? —Definition

A website defacement attack is one of the most common WordPress attacks where a hacker changes the content of a website, often to ridicule the site owner or organization. This act resembles digital graffiti, where the hacker’s alterations can include messages, images, or other media that disrupt the site’s normal content. Just like graffiti artists, these hackers often leave behind a signature to show off their capabilities and mark their presence.

Such attacks can appear sudden and unexpected, particularly if the site owner does not utilize a daily malware scanner. Hackers typically achieve these defacements by installing malware or exploiting security vulnerabilities within the website.

Examples of a Website Defacement Attack

A website defacement attack is a prevalent issue that even large organizations are not immune to it. For example

• In 2010, hackers attacked the European Union’s website for the Spanish President, replacing official images with those of the fictional character Mr. Bean. Similarly, 
• In 2014, the Syrian Electronic Army compromised several high-profile websites and Twitter accounts, including Microsoft’s official blog and Twitter account. They posted juvenile messages and political statements, such as false celebrity announcements and political opinions critical of the United Nations.

Although these attacks might seem silly to some, they represent serious security breaches. 

Defacement can severely damage an organization’s online reputation and undermine user trust. Unlike many hackers who operate stealthily, defacers often seek publicity. They frequently leave behind identifying information, such as contact details, which can sometimes aid in tracking them down.

Defacement Techniques

Hackers employ various techniques to deface websites, altering or replacing their content with malicious or unauthorized information. These methods are often disruptive and can cause significant damage to a site’s reputation and functionality.

Here are some common techniques used in website defacement attacks:

• Brute-Force Attacks on Credentials: Try numerous username and password combinations until they find the correct one. Once they gain access, they can easily alter the site’s content. Brute Force attacks are very common these days.
• Exploiting Vulnerabilities: These include SQL injection (SQLi) and cross-site scripting (XSS), which lead to content defacement or data theft.
• Malware Infection: The malware captures login credentials and other sensitive information, granting the hacker unauthorized access to the website. Once inside, they can modify or replace site content at will.

How Does a Defacement Attack Happen on a WordPress Site

WordPress sites are frequent targets for defacement due to their widespread use and the potential vulnerabilities in themes, plugins, and core software.

Following are a few specific ways defacement attacks occur on WordPress sites:

• Weak Passwords: Using weak or commonly used passwords makes it easier for attackers to guess login credentials and gain access to the site. So, for better security, you should use strong and unique passwords and also change them more frequently.
• Vulnerability in Plugins and Themes: Third-party plugins and themes often contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Website owners should use only trusted and regularly updated plugins and themes to minimize risk.
• Brute-force attacks: In this method, hackers try to figure out the administrator’s login credentials by repeatedly trying different usernames and passwords.
• Outdated Software: Failing to update WordPress, its themes, and plugins can expose the site to known security flaws. Hackers exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access and deface the website. Regular updates are crucial to maintaining site security.
• Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks are another method used to gain access to WordPress sites. Attackers trick site owners into revealing their login credentials through deceptive emails or websites. Once they have the credentials, they can log in and deface the site.
• Malicious Code Injection: Attackers can inject malicious code into WordPress sites through form submissions, comments, or file uploads. This code can deface the website or steal sensitive information from visitors.

4 Easy Steps to Remove Defacement Attack From WordPress

Step #1: Run a Malware Scan on Your Website

The first important step in addressing a defaced WordPress website is to conduct a thorough malware scan. Malware is often the root cause of defacement attacks, which is why it’s important to identify and eliminate any malicious code as quickly as possible. 

Here, we’ll discuss three effective methods to scan your site: using a robust security plugin, online scanning tools, and manually inspecting your WordPress site.

1. Use a Robust Security Plugin

Security plugins are highly effective for detecting and removing malware. One popular choice is MalCare, which offers extensive scanning capabilities. This plugin examines both the website’s files and the database to pinpoint malware. 

To use MalCare, you simply enter your site URL into its malware scanner, which then generates a detailed report. Additionally, MalCare runs tests to detect vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit in future attacks. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that all potential threats are identified and addressed.

2. Use Online Scanners

Online scanning tools provide you with a fast and easy way to check your site for malware without the need for installation. Services like Sucuri SiteCheck provide remote website scanning. Using these tools, you can identify suspicious or potentially harmful elements in your site’s files by analyzing the publicly visible parts of the files. 

However, while convenient, web scanners cannot access your site’s private and restricted areas. Therefore, they often miss sophisticated malware that a dedicated security plugin would catch.

3. Manual Inspection

For those with technical expertise, manually inspecting your website can be an additional step to ensure no malware goes undetected. This involves checking your site’s databases and file entries for any suspicious or unfamiliar code. 

Manual inspection can be time-consuming, but it provides a thorough examination of your website’s integrity. Pay special attention to core WordPress files, themes, and plugins, as these are common targets for malware.

Step #2: Put Your Website on Maintenance

After identifying malware within your WordPress site, your next critical step is to take your website site offline. This action not only protects your users from encountering malicious content but also helps contain the damage while you work on resolving the defacement.

1. Create Maintenance Page

To set up a maintenance page, install a plugin such as Coming Soon Page, WP Maintenance Mode, or Maintenance Mode by SeedProd. These plugins come with easy-to-customize templates, allowing you to create a professional-looking maintenance page quickly. 

Due to their simple interfaces, they are easy to set up even if you do not have extensive technical knowledge. Alternatively, you can create a maintenance page by using your existing theme or a WordPress page builder such as Elementor.

2. Make Your Maintenance Page a Static Homepage

Once you have created your maintenance page, make it the static homepage to ensure visitors only see this page during the recovery process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to Settings: In your WordPress dashboard, click on the Settings button located in the sidebar.
2. Select Reading: From the Settings dropdown, choose the Reading option.
3. Set Static Homepage: In Reading Settings, find the section titled ‘Your homepage displays.’ Select the ‘A static page’ option to prevent your website from showing dynamic content.
4. Choose Maintenance Page: Click the dropdown menu labeled ‘Homepage’ and select the maintenance page you created (i.e.Coming Soon!).
5. Save Changes: After selecting your maintenance page, save the changes.

Now, the maintenance page should be displayed, which indicates that your site is under maintenance. This page will inform your visitors that the site is temporarily unavailable and will be back soon.

Step #3: Use a Security Plugin to Remove Malware

In this step, you need to delete the malware from your defaced website. For this, use a security plugin that can accurately distinguish between legitimate and malicious code and remove the malware without disrupting your website.

By using a reliable security plugin like MalCare, Sucuri, CleanTalk, Wordfence, or Jetpack Security, you can ensure that your site is cleaned thoroughly, minimizing downtime and restoring your site’s integrity with minimal effort.

Step #4: Perform Post-Hack Actions

It is quite stressful to deal with a defaced WordPress site. However, by following the right process, you can quickly resolve the issue. For recovery and protection from a defacement attack, here is the necessary post-hack action plan:

• Update All Passwords: The first step you should take is to change every password related to your website. This includes passwords for hosting accounts, FTP accounts, and all user or admin accounts. Create strong, unique passwords that are hard to guess. For improved security, use a password manager to securely store all your credentials.
• Identify and Remove Suspicious User Accounts: Hackers often create unauthorized accounts to support future attacks. Carefully examine your user list and remove any accounts that seem suspicious. If you are not sure about an account, check the login history to identify any unauthorized access attempts and then delete those accounts. This process helps ensure that hackers do not have any backdoors to re-enter your site.
• Scan for Vulnerabilities: Use a security plugin like Jetpack, Wordfence, MalCare, etc., to scan your site’s themes and plugins for vulnerabilities. In order to prevent future exploits, update any vulnerable components as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to regularly scan your website for vulnerabilities so that you can stay ahead of potential defacement attacks.
• Restore Website Content: Defacement often results in content damage or loss. To restore your website content, use a recent backup. Verify the integrity of the backup before restoring it to ensure no malicious code remains. This step will help you recover your site to its previous state without any harmful elements.
• Inform Your Website Subscribers or Customers: It is extremely important to maintain open communication, especially after a security breach. Inform your subscribers and customers about the incident through email or social media. Provide a clear explanation of what happened and detail the steps you’ve taken to address the issue. Offer any necessary guidance to help them protect their information. Being transparent fosters trust and reassures your audience that you are committed to safeguarding their data.

How to Prevent Your WordPress Site From Future Defacement Attacks

To safeguard your WordPress site against potential defacement attacks, you should implement multiple security measures and utilize specialized tools. By doing so, you can effectively mitigate the risk of breaches while maintaining your online reputation.

Following are some of the security measures you can implement to prevent your WordPress site from a defacement attack:

• Install a WordPress Firewall Plugin: Protect your website from potential threats by installing a WordPress Firewall plugin. The WAF (Web Application Firewall) identifies and thwarts malicious attempts to break into your website.

• Implement 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication): This requires users to provide two different types of verification before gaining access. This additional layer of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
• Employ reCaptcha: Integrate reCaptcha to add an additional layer of security to your forms, effectively thwarting automated bot-driven attacks.
• Install Automatic Malware Scan Plugins: Opt for plugins that regularly scan your website for malware. Tools like MalCare, Jetpack, Wordfence, etc., offer continuous monitoring and swift responses to potential threats, helping to mitigate risks before they escalate.
• Keep Everything Up to Date: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to patch vulnerabilities and prevent potential exploits. Outdated software poses a significant security risk and should be promptly addressed.
• Regularly Back Up Your Website: Frequently back up your website so you have a clean copy available for restoration in the event of defacement. Store backups in a secure location and make sure you can access them easily.
• WordPress Defacement Detection/Monitoring: Utilize change detection tools like Fluxguard and Visualping to monitor for any unauthorized modifications to your site. These tools provide early alerts to unexpected changes, enabling prompt action to mitigate potential defacement.

• Create Strong Passwords: Set strong and unique passwords for every user associated with your website. A strong password must include a mix of letters, numbers, special characters, etc., which significantly improves password security.
• Use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Implement SSL encryption to secure data transmitted between your site and users, ensuring secure connections and bolstering user trust.
• Set Access Limits: Make sure the sensitive areas of your website aren’t accessible to everyone and grant privileges only to those who require them. By minimizing access points, you reduce the risk of attack and enhance overall security.
• Keep an Activity Log: Lastly, maintain a comprehensive activity log to track all activities on your website. Regularly review the log to identify any suspicious or unauthorized actions, enabling timely intervention to prevent defacement.

IMPORTANT: You can strengthen the security of your WordPress site by password-protecting your WordPress admin login (wp-admin) and website content. Simply install the Password Protected plugin and easily add the extra layer of protection.

Final Remarks on Website Defacement Attack

A website defacement attack is similar to digital trespassing and poses a significant threat to the integrity and security of a WordPress site. These attacks disrupt a website’s functionality, damage its reputation, and undermine user trust. 

However, with proactive measures and vigilant monitoring, you can effectively mitigate the risk of defacement and safeguard your online presence.

Remember, maintaining strong security practices, such as regularly updating software, using complex passwords, and deploying robust security plugins, is essential in preventing future attacks.

Additionally, staying up-to-date on security threats and investing in reliable security solutions can help strengthen your website’s defenses against a defacement attack or any other potential threats.

Frequently Asked Questions