Some attacks may result in little to no damage, just a few infected files … while others may be catastrophic — wiping out your company’s reputation along with your website.
The vast majority of attacks on websites are made by bots (‘Internet robots’) — which is an application written to perform repetitive tasks. There are good bots (like the ones search engines send out to spider websites) and bad bots, which are injected with viruses and the like, and basically do little but create mayhem.
Why are websites hacked?
Websites are hacked for a variety of reasons, often depending on the attacker’s motives. Some common reasons include stealing sensitive data, such as customer information, credit card numbers, or personal credentials, which can be sold or exploited. Other hacks aim to inject malware or spam links into a site to distribute viruses or boost the hacker’s SEO by redirecting your traffic to malicious sites. Additionally, websites may be targeted for ransomware attacks, where hackers demand payment to restore access to the site or its data.
Some attacks are less about financial gain and more about vandalism—defacing a site to spread a message or disrupt business operations. Often, hackers exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software like plugins, themes, or servers, making poorly maintained websites an easy target. In other cases, bots conduct automated attacks to compromise websites en masse, using them for phishing campaigns, DDoS attacks, or cryptocurrency mining. Ultimately, maintaining robust security measures is essential to protect against these diverse threats.
- Stealing personal data, like customer birth dates, phone numbers, addresses, credit card details, website login credentials, and more, and in turn sell that info to brokers on the black market.
- Sending spam from your domain.
- Knock your site offline (with a Denial of Service attack – DDoS).
- Gaining complete access to your website and all files on the server.
Understanding the threat can help you manage it better!
Here’s a breakdown of key web security statistics and trends to help you understand the risks posed by cyberattacks and successful hacks:
Cyberattacks Are Constant and Costly: There are approximately 2,200 cyberattacks every day, which translates to one attack every 39 seconds. Globally, the average cost of a data breach in 2024 has reached $4.88 million, with ransomware attacks costing even more—averaging $5.13 million per breach.
Small Businesses Are Particularly Vulnerable: Nearly 43% of small businesses don’t have a cybersecurity plan in place, making them easy targets for phishing and malware attacks. Phishing remains the top method of cybercrime, with 90% of breaches originating from phishing emails.
Downtime Has Significant Financial Impact: Downtime from cyberattacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) can cost small and medium-sized enterprises between $22,000 and $120,000 per minute, highlighting how even short disruptions can create severe financial consequences.
Attackers Stay Hidden for Months: On average, attackers remain undetected in compromised systems for about 2.24 months, giving them plenty of time to steal sensitive data or cause further damage. This underscores the importance of strong monitoring and response mechanisms.
Growing Malware Threats: Over 450,000 new malware programs are detected daily. Email remains the most common delivery method, with 94% of malware distributed via email, often exploiting inattentive users and outdated systems.
Be proactive, get a free security assessment today!
These statistics highlight the critical need for proactive web security strategies to safeguard sensitive data and ensure business continuity. As threats continue to evolve, investing in preventive measures and security best practices is essential for businesses of all sizes. Be proactive! Start hardening your website today. Same day assessment and service!
