Is Your Website Safe? How to Keep Hackers from Hijacking Your Brand
- Kristen Thompson
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
Imagine waking up, grabbing your coffee, and checking your business website—only to find it riddled with weird, spammy links. Panic sets in. Your website still works, but something feels off. If this happens to you, you’re not alone. Website hacks are more common than ever, and they aren’t just targeting big corporations or e-commerce sites. Even small business websites that don’t store sensitive information are at risk.
Hackers don’t need your credit card data—they want your website’s credibility. They use your site to spread malware, hijack SEO rankings, and funnel traffic to their own shady businesses. If left unchecked, this can damage your brand’s reputation and tank your search rankings. But don’t worry! Understanding why and how these hacks happen can help you protect your site, your brand, and your customers.
Why Hackers Target Websites Like Yours
You might be wondering: Why would anyone bother hacking my business website? The answer is simpler (and scarier) than you might think.
SEO Hijacking: Hackers embed hidden links on your site to boost their own rankings on search engines.
Malware Distribution: Some hackers embed links on your website that will install malicious software on your user’s devices if they click. This puts their data at risk.
Traffic Redirection: Hackers can send your visitors to spammy gambling, pharmaceutical, or adult content sites without you realizing it.
These attacks aren’t personal. Many hackers use automated bots to scan the web for vulnerabilities. If your site isn’t secure, it’s only a matter of time before a bot finds it.
How We Recently Handled a Website Hack
At Thompson Marketing Partners, we recently helped a client recover from a website hack. Their site didn’t store sensitive data, yet hackers still found a way in. We discovered hidden spam links buried deep in their code, harming their SEO and putting their visitors at risk.
Once we identified the attack, we took immediate action:
Removed the infected files and cleaned up the site.
Ran security scans to ensure the site was safe.
Updated plugins and security settings to prevent future attacks.
Set up ongoing maintenance to catch potential threats early.
If we hadn’t caught this in time, Google could have penalized their website, reducing its visibility in search results. This would have affected their business. That’s why proactive maintenance is key.
How to Protect Your Website from Hackers
The good news? You don’t have to be a tech genius to keep your website safe. Here are a few ways to reduce your risk:
Keep Everything Updated Outdated software is a hacker’s best friend. Regularly update your website’s CMS, plugins, and themes to patch security holes.
Use Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Your website’s admin panel should have a strong, unique password. Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security. If in doubt at any point, reset all user passwords. And be sure to keep your list of website users up to date, removing anyone who no longer needs access.
Install a Security Plugin Security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri help detect threats and block malicious traffic. There are free options, but the paid/premium options are often required for best results.
Regularly Back Up Your Website Daily automated backups ensure you can restore your site if something goes wrong.
Use an SSL Certificate An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and visitors, adding an extra layer of security and improving trust.
Monitor for Suspicious Activity Set up alerts for unusual logins, file changes, or increased traffic from unfamiliar locations.
The Best Way to Protect Your Website? Work with a Pro
Managing website security isn’t just a one-time task—it’s an ongoing effort that requires monitoring, updates, and expertise. If you’re running a business, your time is better spent focusing on growth, not battling cyber threats.
At Thompson Marketing Partners, we integrate website security into a larger marketing strategy, ensuring your site is not only protected but also optimized to attract customers. From security monitoring to SEO and online visibility, we handle it all so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Want to ensure your website is secure and performing at its best? Let’s talk!
