Check if your website is secure with our free website security scan. Simply enter your domain below and start the scan:

Site Trust

more info…

URL Reputation

more info…

Domain Reputation

more info…

Why do I need to do a security Scan for my website?

Thousands of cyber threats and attacks go unchecked every day.

The threat is real!

If you’re not aware of the problem, malicious hackers can easily take advantage of your website’s weaknesses and put you in a difficult situation, including losing your livelihood and reputation.

Your website is always at risk.

Over 18 million websites get infected with malware at any given time each week, while the average website gets attacked 44 times each day. These numbers alone suggest that the internet is plagued by threats and attacks so your risk will never be zero. 

The risk is even greater when you conduct business through an insecure network (public Wi-Fi). It can expose you to malicious hackers whose goal may include:

  • Identity theft
  • Cyber stalking
  • Extortion
  • Gain unauthorised access into your website, computer, and network
  • Attack the company you work for or business you run
  • Make fraudulent online transactions
  • Deface or vandalise your website
  • Damage your reputation

Hackers use a wide variety of website hacking techniques to launch attacks against your assets. If you are not familiar with these techniques, you won’t stand a chance in the event of an incident. 

To help you become hack-ready, here are some of the most common methods attackers use.

Your website isn’t the only asset that’s vulnerable to hackers.

Did you know? Your employees who use your company email or phone could also be tricked into giving up your sensitive information to a cyber criminal.

In fact, 93% of all data breaches in 2018 were traced back to employees mindlessly opening malicious links in their emails. If your staff is lacking in basic cybersecurity education, hackers can easily exploit this and proceed with their social attacks in the form of:

  • Phishing – Hackers send out fake emails that look like they’ve come from a trusted source, such as someone from your bank, government, or organisation. It may contain messages that prey upon your fear to trick you into clicking a link quickly. But the link opens to a fake website where you’re asked to divulge your login credentials, personal data, or any other info that they can use to break into your website.
  • Pretexting – Attackers create a fabricated pretext that they use to try and obtain your personal information.
  • Baiting – This technique plays upon the curiosity or greed of a target. Baiting attackers promise their targets certain goods or items (e.g., free downloadable movies) to entice them to divulge their login details. 
  • Quid pro Quo – Like baiting, quid pro quo attacks promise a form of service (e.g., troubleshooting) in exchange for personal information. 

Forcing their way in with brute force attacks.

This hacking method involves the use of password hacking tools to crack your login credentials until the correct usernames and passwords are found. Once they’re in, they can pretend as one of your web admins and perform malicious activities.

Non-targeted website hacking.

Overall, things that can make you vulnerable to hackers are:

  • Using weak passwords.
  • Connecting to insecure networks.
  • Using outdated software and plugins.
  • Disabling automatic update.
  • Opening links or downloading attachments from emails without checking the source.
  • Not scanning your computer or website regularly.

Signs your website has been hacked.

  • There’s a browser warning that reads: “Warning: Visiting this site may harm your computer!”
  • Your website automatically initiates downloads that you didn’t go looking for.
  • Random links or content that lead to strange websites.

How about your computer or network?

  • You’re locked out of your online accounts.
  • Fake antivirus messages.
  • Ransomware messages.
  • Mouse cursor moving on its own. A hacker is controlling your computer remotely.
  • Strange redirects to websites irrelevant to your searches.
  • Unexpected software downloads.
  • Your anti-malware programs have been disabled.
  • Your personal information is on the dark web.
  • Unauthorised credit/debit card transactions.
  • Your friends on social networking sites receive messages from your account that you didn’t send.

Impacts of on businesses

Hackers who have a more nefarious intent than just stealing personal data might even drop ransomware on your computer or network to blackmail you. This type of malware encrypts all your data and only the hackers know how to decrypt it. So you won’t be able to access your files until a ransom demand is paid. 

In Australia, ransomware incidents cost businesses up to $276,323 each attack. Some may recover, while others may not be so lucky. In 2017, 22% of local SMEs collapsed due to major productivity loss as a result of 9+ hours downtime caused by the infection.

When asked about where these attacks originated, 31% of SMEs surveyed said they didn’t know. Of companies that could trace the origin, 22% said it had been a suspicious link in an email while 18% blamed it to a malware-infected email attachment.

One entry point is all it takes.

It only takes one entry point to spread malware to other points in your network. If the infection becomes more widespread, it can disable your critical systems and disrupt the flow of your day-to-day operations, from production, sales to customer service. 

That’s why aside from business disruption, cyber attacks can also cause damage to personal and business reputation, job loss, and emotional stress.

  • Personal reputation loss. This happens when a hacker leaks any sensitive information that may harm the reputation of the victim and/or the company they work for. Depending on the nature of the leaked data, the victim may experience bullying, alienation, low morale, and job loss. 
  • Business reputation loss. Occurs when customers feel betrayed by businesses that failed to preserve their privacy and protect their personal data. Majority will discontinue their relationship with the affected companies, leaving them with a huge revenue loss that may put them out of business.
  • Job loss. In a survey conducted by Kaspersky, 31% of most recent data breaches have resulted in job losses. Of those who got laid off, 29% were from non-IT large companies and 29% were employed by non-IT SMEs.
  • Poor psychological well-being. Victims experience stress, anxiety and depression after a cyber attack. Some also suffer severe trauma and hardship depending on the nature of the crime (e.g., Ashley Madison and Equifax hacks). Additionally, the lack of concrete legal process authorities have to manage cyber attacks only make things worse. In a 2010 report by Norton, victims said they felt powerless because it seemed unlikely justice would be served. Also, 58% of the victims felt angry,  51% annoyed, and 40% felt like they were cheated.

Prevention is better than cure.

The key takeaway is to detect online threats before things spiral out of your control. Because once you’re hacked, you are going to be a constant target. 

Hackers might even dump your login credentials on forum sites for others to join in on the hunt and reinfect your website over and over. And since a lot is at stake, including your reputation, livelihood and mental health, it’s best to stay vigilant and run daily security scans.

If you want to take preventive measures, or better yet want to stop hackers from grinding you down, take the Site Defender challenge! 

Identify and avoid common online threats.

Over 300,000 new malware is created daily. Site Defender minimises your risk exposure by thoroughly scanning your website for ransomware, viruses, spyware, worms, and Trojan horses.

Check your domain blacklist status.

Many email addresses and websites get blacklisted every day for sending users spam messages and getting infected with malware. Find out if your domain is blacklisted by security authorities like Norton, Google, Bing, and Spamhaus and resolve any issue immediately.

Find and update old software.

Using obsolete software comes with a lot of risks, including increased vulnerability to attacks and wasted productivity that costs businesses up to $1.8 billion each year. See if your website is running outdated CMS or plugins so you can get it back to safety and up to speed again. 

Defend your website against network attacks.

Networks are always plagued by Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), brute force, DDoS, hijack attacks, and more. Scan your website now to stop these malicious activities from turning into a disaster that may lead to business failure.

Gain insights to enhance your cybersecurity efforts.

Each security scan provides an insight to the state of malware in your website, allowing you to better detect and respond to cyber crimes and constantly improve your overall security efforts.