Hackers Stole Accounts and Installed Malware in GoDaddy Breach

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Website builder GoDaddy announced last month that for the past three years, it had been under attack from a

“sophisticated and organized group targeting hosting services”.

Sources say that a multi-year security breach had allowed unknown assailants to install malware and harvest source code from the website builder and hosting provider, as well as gain access to customers’ accounts in order to target them.

scary hacker man reaching out to grab code with his malicious fingers

GoDaddy filed an SEC report in December 2022 after customer complaints that their website domains were redirecting to random addresses. However, in the report, it listed that the attacks had been ongoing since March 2020, during which they

“discovered a threat actor compromised the hosting login credentials of approximately 28,000 hosting customers to their hosting accounts as well as the login credentials of a small number of our personnel”

The Securities and Exchange Commission is an independent agency of the federal US government to enforce the law against market manipulation. It was founded in 1934, in response to the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

Another breach in November 2021 cemented the idea that these breaches were linked, and that an ongoing attack was underway against GoDaddy.

The November 2021 breach was particularly bad, leading to 1.2 million managed WordPress users getting their passwords compromised.

Since these attacks, GoDaddy has vowed to work with cybersecurity experts in order to root out these hackers and make sure users can entrust their data to GoDaddy’s hands. It’s more important than ever to ensure that you have secured your website.

Written by:
headshot of Sam Jagger
Being a Writer for Website Builder Expert isn’t just typing words on a laptop. Each day, I’m finding new and innovative ways to help you get online in a mode you feel comfortable with. And it’s a task I do with enthusiasm and gusto. Not only do I have experience building with all the providers we talk about - creating websites such as this Strikingly demo - but we also have our wonderful, constantly updated research fielded by our researchers, so you can be reassured that what we say is an honest reflection of our professional opinions. I’ve written articles and featured guest posts for apps like UXPin on web design in the modern age, as well as answered over 100 user comments on the site and delved into the world of choosing a domain name and adding Bitcoin payments to your site in my own pitched articles. All of this is to say that when I want to get you online - I mean it! Outside the office, I have attended the eCommerce Expo and built up a ton of industry knowledge through talks, workshops, and guided learning sessions with noted experts. The internet is made for everyone, so come online and let us help you get there.

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