Cross-site script, also called XSS, is one of the most common attacks on WordPress sites. Hackers find vulnerabilities in your site and use it to steal information and misuse the site.
The worst thing is that if you don’t fix the problem right away, these hacks can lead to more serious damage, the kind that is really hard to recover.
You can avoid these hacks by installing a firewall on your WordPress site.
If your site is already being attacked, Fix and Avoid XSS Attacks we will show you how to fix it immediately in a simple, beginner-friendly language. In this tutorial, we will minimize the cyber security jargon. We will also show you how to avoid future attacks.
First, let’s quickly understand what happens in an XSS attack so you’re better prepared to deal with it.
What is an XSS attack on WordPress?
XSS stands for Cross Site Scripting, which is a type of injection attack in which hackers inject malicious scripts into a website.
These scripts are disguised as good code on a reliable website. Then, when a user accesses that website, the browser executes all the code, usa phone number data including the malicious script, because it thinks that all instructions are reliable.
In simpler terms, imagine that you are a spy and have just received an official government email about a top-secret mission. It contains all the instructions you need to follow to the letter.
If the hacker manages to steal the information from the cookie, it can completely compromise the user’s account. For example, if you are connected to the wp-admin panel of your site, the hacker can steal your credentials and log in to your site.
What you need to do to prevent these attacks is to ensure that all user data is validated and sanitized properly before they enter your website. This way, no user input can be malicious Javascript code. In addition, you need to ensure that there are no XSS vulnerabilities on your site that can allow a hacker to attack.
We have barely scratched the surface of XSS attacks, but we hope you have a good understanding of how an XSS attack on WordPress works. Now, if you suspect that your site has been hacked, follow our tutorial step by step below.
How to Find and Fix an XSS Attack
To find any type of malware or hacks on your site, you will need to perform a deep scan throughout the site, including the files and the database.
We will use Sucuri to check and clean up your hacked site. Sucuri offers a robust security configuration that includes firewall, malware scanner and malware cleaner.
Sucuri offers a free malware scanner for websites that you can install on your WordPress site by browsing to Plugins” add new tab.
We recommend using the premium scanner on the server side. It will turn your website upside down to find any trace of malware.
For more details, may sends a message out into the world read our analysis of Sucuri.
Sucuri has a price of $199.99 per year. If this is out of your budget, you can try other security plug-ins. See our list: 9 best WordPress security plugins compared.
When selecting a security plugin, make sure it offers all the cybersecurity features you need to locate and fix malware infections and protect your website.
Step 1: Verification of your website
To get started, Fix and Avoid XSS Attacks you will need to apply for a plan with Sucuri. Then log in to the Sucuri control panel, where you can add your site.
Here, you will need to connect your website by entering your FTP credentials. If you don’t know your FTP credentials, you can get them with your web host.
When your site is logged in, b2b phone list Sucuri will automatically run a full scan of your site. Once completed, it will show a detailed report in the “My Sites” tab.
Now you can click the “Details” button next to the warning message. This will open the Monitoring page, on which you will be able to see the details of the hack or infection.
Step 2: Requesting a malware cleanup
On the Monitoring page, you can see what type of malware has infected your site. The Sucuri adds a rating to indicate the level of risk. Therefore, if it is a critical or high risk, you will know that you need to correct it immediately. In addition, it will also show if your site has been blacklisted by some search engine.
Now that you know your site is infected, you need to clean it up, and Sucuri makes it very easy for you. To start the process, click on the “Clean Up My Site” button.
On the next page, click the New Malware Removal Request button and a form will appear in which you can enter the details of your site.
Just fill out the form and send it. Once completed, Fix and Avoid XSS Attacks Sucuri security experts will clean your site for you. If you don’t know any of the details required for the form, you can request them from your web host.
Now you must be wondering how long it would take to clean your site.
Sucuri gives preference to users of the Business plan. They guarantee a response time of 6 hours. For other plans, this depends on the complexity of your site’s infection and the volume of requests in the queue.
How to Avoid XSS Attacks on Your WordPress Website
It is always best to protect your website and avoid these types of malware attacks on your site. It’s much easier and cheaper than trying to fix an invaded website. Here are our main recommended steps to prevent XSS attacks on your website.
