If you have a WordPress site, website, or web application, it’s important to keep it safe. Cybersecurity threats are real, and hackers are always looking for gaps to exploit. If you’re not monitoring your site regularly, you could be leaving it open to attacks.

In this article, we’ll discuss the dangers of neglecting your website’s security, why it’s crucial to monitor your site regularly, and why a monthly maintenance program with a professional company like Media Mechanic is your best defense.

Why Websites Get Hacked

Websites, especially WordPress sites, are prime targets for hackers. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, and due to its popularity, it’s a frequent target for cybercriminals. Hackers exploit weak security, outdated plugins, and vulnerabilities in themes and core files. Without proper monitoring, these security gaps can be used to compromise your website.

For example, outdated WordPress plugins are one of the easiest ways hackers gain access to websites. Wordfence reports that most breaches occur due to outdated plugins or themes. If your site isn’t regularly updated, hackers can find these weaknesses and attack your site.

The Risk of a Hacked Website

A hacked website can have devastating consequences for your business. The immediate impact is loss of reputation. If your site is infected with malware or if sensitive customer data is compromised, you could lose trust with your customers.

Hacked sites also face downtime, meaning they go offline for hours, days, or longer. This can directly impact your sales and your customer service. If your web application or e-commerce site is down, you could lose revenue during that time.

A hacked website can also lead to SEO penalties. Google may mark your website as unsafe, leading to a drop in search rankings or being completely de-indexed. This can be a huge blow to your business, especially if your website relies on organic traffic.

Why You Need a Monthly Maintenance Program

A monthly maintenance program is crucial for keeping your site safe from hackers. The truth is, a website isn’t something you can just build and forget. It needs regular monitoring, updates, and backups to stay secure.

With a maintenance program, you get:

• Regular updates to WordPress, plugins, and themes to fix vulnerabilities.
• Security checks to monitor for any unusual activity or potential breaches.
• Backups so you can restore your site quickly if something goes wrong.
• Site optimizations to keep your site running smoothly and loading fast.

A maintenance program is more affordable than dealing with the aftermath of a hack. Sucuri explains that a website hack could cost businesses thousands of dollars in repairs, lost revenue, and reputation damage.

Why Choose Media Mechanic for Your Website Maintenance

For businesses in Portland, Oregon and beyond, Media Mechanic offers comprehensive website maintenance services that cover everything your site needs to stay secure. We provide:

• 24/7 monitoring to keep an eye on your website for potential threats.
• Expert security audits to ensure your site is up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes.
• Fast response times if something goes wrong with your site or if there’s a security breach.
• Peace of mind, knowing your website is in good hands.

We make sure your WordPress site or web application is safe so you can focus on running your business. Plus, we work with businesses of all sizes, from small startups to established companies. Our monthly maintenance packages are tailored to your needs and budget.

How to Protect Your Business

Don’t wait for a problem to happen before taking action. Cybersecurity threats are always evolving, and your website needs constant attention. Keeping your site updated and monitored will help you prevent attacks before they occur.

Regularly updating your plugins and themes, backing up your website, and installing the latest security patches are all essential steps to keeping your site safe. But for added security, a professional monthly maintenance program can give you the protection you need to keep hackers at bay.

Final Thoughts

In 2023, website security should be a top priority for every small business owner. If you’re not monitoring your site regularly, you’re putting your business at risk. A monthly maintenance program from Media Mechanic can help keep your WordPress site, web application, or website protected.

By choosing a trusted partner like Media Mechanic, you get expert support, peace of mind, and the security your business needs to thrive online. Don’t let hackers take down your website—get in touch with us today to set up a maintenance plan.

— The Media Mechanic Team