If you’re not taking your website security seriously, you’re playing with fire.
I recently worked with a client who faced every business owner’s digital nightmare: their domain was hacked—and the hackers demanded $5,000 in ransom.
The result?
- Total loss of access to their domain, email accounts, and website
- 20+ years of SEO progress gone
- Forced to start from scratch with a new domain and new email addresses
We scrambled to get a temporary version of their website up just to stay visible. But the damage was already done. Their original domain? Gone. Their Google rankings? Erased. Their credibility? Severely impacted.
And all because of lax security protocols.
What Went Wrong?
Here’s what we discovered after the breach:
- Reused passwords across platforms
- Weak, easy-to-guess credentials
- No two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Outdated or missing security tools
Vulnerabilities across WordPress sites are on the rise (up by 67% compared to last year YIKES). But this wasn’t a highly sophisticated attack. It was a preventable one. That’s what makes it even more devastating.
What They Did Next
After the initial panic and loss, the client got serious about security. They:
✅ Updated all their passwords with unique, complex credentials
✅ Enabled 2FA on every account
✅ Reviewed and updated their security protocols across the board
✅ Partnered with pros (like us at Social Coded) to rebuild smart and secure
This should be a wake-up call for anyone with a digital presence. Your website is more than your homepage—it’s your brand, your sales funnel, your history, and your future.
Step-by-Step: How to Protect Your Website and Domain from Hackers
Don’t wait for a breach to take action. Start with these essential steps:
1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Every Account
- Avoid using the same password across multiple logins.
- Create complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Use a password manager (like 1Password or LastPass) to keep them secure.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Everywhere
- Activate 2FA on your domain registrar, hosting account, CMS (like WordPress), email platforms, and any related logins.
- Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator or Authy) rather than SMS when possible.
3. Secure Your Domain Registrar Account
- Lock your domain to prevent unauthorized transfers.
- Regularly check and update your domain contact info.
- Monitor renewal settings so you don’t lose ownership.
4. Keep All Software and Plugins Updated
- Outdated plugins, CMS, and themes are easy entry points for hackers.
- Enable automatic updates where possible.
- Audit your site quarterly to remove anything unused or vulnerable.
5. Use a Secure Hosting Provider
- Choose a host that includes robust security tools (firewalls, malware scans, DDoS protection).
- Ask about automatic backups and SSL support.
6. Install an SSL Certificate
- HTTPS isn’t optional—it’s a basic trust and security standard.
- Most good hosts provide free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt.
7. Run Regular Backups
- Set up daily or weekly backups of your entire website and database.
- Store backups off-site (in cloud storage or external drives).
8. Limit User Access
- Only give admin access to those who truly need it.
- Remove old user accounts and monitor for unusual activity.
9. Monitor Your Site
- Use tools like Google Search Console, Uptime Robot, and Wordfence to get alerts on any suspicious behavior.
- Check regularly for SEO spam, redirects, or malware injections.
Don’t Wait for a Disaster
Hacking isn’t just a technical inconvenience—it’s a business risk with real financial consequences.
This client lost their domain, their email accounts, and all their Google ranking authority—instantly. And the kicker? It was completely avoidable.
If your website, emails, or domain aren’t protected, you’re not just at risk—you’re a target.
Need Help?
I run Social Coded, a web and marketing agency in Austin helping businesses build secure, high-converting websites. If you’re not sure where to start or feel your setup might be vulnerable, let’s talk.
We’ll help you lock down your digital presence—before it’s too late. 🔒
