My Web Site Was Hacked

My website was hacked and has been down for almost 2 LONG  months.

What happened??? I’m not sure but here are the many things I learned to avoid future hacking:

• 1. Update to the latest version of your website engine and plugins
  Make sure your Webmaster does this. Mine was in a lower version vulnerable to hackers and malicious bots This was what happened to my website.
• 2. Only use plugins from trusted sources, premium plugins are typically more secure than free
• 3.Choose a well-respected and reputable host/server
• 4. Never use “Admin” as your backend login username
• 5. Do not store passwords locally on your computer
• 6. Use high strength passwords with upper and lowercase letters, and if possible at least one special character (i.e. & % $)
• 7.Try not to use the same password for all of your logins
• 8.Create a forwarding email address for public use
  (i.e. contact@cathycress.com forwards to your cressgcm@got.net)
• 9. Make regular backups of your website.
  It goes without saying you should have routine backups of your site. . My site had not been backed up since November and went down in January. This takes you monitoring your Webmaster.
  The rule of thumb is everything required to get the site running exactly as it was at the time of the backup should be included. That usually means the files, content and the database. Backups should be stored off site or at least not on the same computer as your web server. Finally, a backup is only useful if you can restore your website. You should test your website restore process at least once a year and write up instructions in case someone else needs to do it. My site had not been backed up since November and went down January 3. None of my blogs were backed up and had to be restored from my own back –up.
• 10. Select your hosting provider with care.
  Hire a Webmaster that supports security recommendations.
  Do your due diligence before you select a supplier.

My new Webmaster is Jake Student at BioTechnic – email is connect@biotechnic.net