Yes, folks, they're at it again. According to internet security experts Sucuri.net, hundreds of thousands of websites are at risk from an attack by the malware program SoakSoak.ru.
No, I don't understand why some people do this either. It irritates the hell out of me. I also don't understand why some people burglarize homes. But it happens. This is the world we live in. Consequently, we all have to take steps to prevent it (website hacking and home burglaries.)
Today's blog will not be a long one. You can read more about the SoakSoak.ru threat on the Sucuri website (link below.) But for now, go use their free tool (http://sitecheck.sucuri.net) to scan all of your websites and see if you have been infected. If you have, follow the instructions to clean your website. You might even consider a tool like Sucuri's Website Firewall to protect yourself from future attacks. Sure, it's $10 per month for the entry level, but it certainly beats having your website taken offline.
I used the free tool to check all of my websites and about a dozen clients this evening. Everyone came out with a clean bill of health. But since it's cold & flu season for people as well as websites, I'll be checking again on a regular basis.
Here's the link to Sucuri's website for the full story if you're interested in reading it: http://blog.sucuri.net/2014/12/soaksoak-malware-compromises-100000-wordpress-websites.html.
The Quick Takeaway
Your website is just like most everything else in your life. You have to do a little preventative maintenance once in a while and frequently check for problems. It's true for your website just like it is for your car (have you changed the oil lately and checked your transmission fluid?) and your home heater (have you changed the filter lately?_
Go check your website, make sure it's clean, and then rest easy.