Most websites get hacked because of outdated software, abandoned plugins, weak passwords and no monitoring — not a villain in a hoodie. A basic care plan (updates, backups, scans, hardening) prevents most of that and costs less than an emergency clean-up. In the UAE, plans typically run AED 500–5,000+ a month depending on the stack.

A site is like a car: it needs servicing. “Set and forget” is how pages end up defaced, blacklisted, or empty after a PHP update. ITZ sells this as website maintenance. If you are already compromised, that is malware removal or restore — not a motivational blog.

Why websites get hacked (it is not what you think)

Most attacks are bots scanning for known holes. Common doors: old WordPress and plugins, admin/admin, hosting that never patched PHP, and a freelancer who left a copy of the site on an expired box. Targeted drama is rare. Neglect is not.

What a real maintenance plan covers

  • Core, plugin and PHP updates on a schedule
  • Backups you have restored at least once
  • Uptime and malware scans
  • SSL, firewall basics, logins that are not shared
  • A human who still answers when the homepage is a pharmacy spam page

A plugin that emails “your site is secure” is not a plan. Ownership of host and domain still sits with you. See domain and hosting.

The real cost of skipping maintenance

Emergency clean-up, lost Google listing, lost chats, and a week of “the site is down” on WhatsApp. That invoice is larger than a year of care. ITZ will not invent a scare statistic. Operators already know the Tuesday the homepage vanished.

What to do if your site is already hacked

Do not keep paying the person who cannot log in. Take a copy if you still can. Change every password. ITZ will say whether a clean, a restore, or a rebuild is honest. Do not restore into someone else’s hosting — that is a second hostage.

Simple habits that prevent most problems

Updates, unique passwords, two-factor on the host, no unused plugins, and a backup that is not only on the same box. WordPress is not unsafe. Abandoned WordPress is. See WordPress vs custom if the stack itself is the wrong product.

Frequently asked questions

Why do websites get hacked?

Mostly outdated software, vulnerable plugins, weak passwords and no monitoring. Attacks are usually automated scans, which is why regular maintenance is the practical defence.

How much does maintenance cost in the UAE?

Typical public ranges are about AED 500–5,000+ per month depending on WordPress vs custom, store complexity and how fast you need a human. ITZ quotes the stack you actually have.

What should I do if my website is hacked?

Stop using old passwords, keep a copy if you can, and get someone who opens the files — not a scan-only plugin. See malware removal and restore. WhatsApp +971 52 486 7767.