Another year has passed in the Matrix*. While you were running your business, we were fighting the war.
Most people don't see the attacks. They don't see the brute force attempts on login pages. They don't see the SQL injection scripts probing databases. They don't see the Agents*.
But we do.
At ProWebCare, we track every blocked threat. And the 2025 data tells a story about where the web is heading.
The 2025 Battlefield Statistics
10,482
Malicious Agents* Neutralized
That is not spam. That is not random traffic. That is 10,000+ specific, malicious attempts to break into our clients' websites.
Top 3 Threat Vectors
Where are the attacks coming from? Here is the breakdown:
| Attack Type | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Brute Force Logins Guessing passwords |
45% |
| Plugin Vulnerabilities Exploiting old code |
30% |
| Malicious Bots Scrapers & crawlers |
25% |
The Trend: AI-Powered Attacks
The biggest shift we saw in 2025 was the rise of AI-powered attacks.
In the past, bots were dumb. They tried "admin/password123."
Now, the Agents* are getting smarter. They use AI to analyze site content and generate custom phishing emails. They use AI to vary their attack patterns to evade firewalls.
The "Invisible War" is escalating. The machines are learning.
Victory Stories
Numbers are just data. Here are the Real Life* wins behind the stats:
- Client A (E-commerce): We blocked a massive DDoS attack on Black Friday. Their site stayed up. They made record sales.
- Client B (Legal Firm): We intercepted a targeted phishing attempt aimed at their admin credentials. The hackers got nothing.
- Client C (Blog): We patched a critical 0-day vulnerability in a plugin 4 hours before the exploit was made public. They were safe before the news even broke.
The Matrix* Tie-in: Zion Archives
In Zion, they keep records. They remember the victories. They study the machines.
This report is our archive. It proves that defense is possible. It proves that with the right Operators*, you can survive inside the Matrix*.
October-December 2025: The Final Quarter Analysis
The last quarter of 2025 saw a significant escalation. Here is what happened in the final 90 days:
Attack Volume Breakdown
From October 1 to December 31, 2025, we blocked:
- 3,247 brute force login attempts - An average of 36 attempts per day per protected site
- 2,156 plugin vulnerability probes - Hackers scanning for outdated Elementor, WooCommerce, and contact form plugins
- 1,489 SQL injection attempts - Automated scripts trying to exploit database weaknesses
- 1,234 XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks - Attempts to inject malicious JavaScript
- 1,089 file upload exploits - Trying to upload PHP shells disguised as images
- 1,267 DDoS attempts - Overwhelming servers with traffic floods
Total: 10,482 blocked attacks in Q4 alone.
Geographic Attack Origins
Where are these attacks coming from? The data reveals a global threat network:
| Country/Region | Attack Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Russia & Eastern Europe | 3,842 | 36.7% |
| China & Southeast Asia | 2,156 | 20.6% |
| United States (Botnets) | 1,789 | 17.1% |
| Brazil & Latin America | 1,234 | 11.8% |
| Other/Unknown | 1,461 | 13.9% |
Note: These IP addresses are often proxies or compromised servers. The actual attackers could be anywhere. But the infrastructure is global.
Most Targeted Plugins in Q4 2025
Hackers don't attack randomly. They target specific vulnerabilities. Here are the plugins they probed most:
- Elementor Pro - 847 exploit attempts (targeting old versions with known vulnerabilities)
- WooCommerce - 623 attempts (payment gateway exploits)
- Contact Form 7 - 512 attempts (file upload vulnerabilities)
- WP File Manager - 489 attempts (remote code execution exploits)
- Revolution Slider - 401 attempts (SQL injection vulnerabilities)
The lesson: If you use these plugins, keep them updated. We patch them automatically for our maintenance clients.
Peak Attack Times
When do the Agents* strike? The data shows patterns:
- Peak hours: 2:00 AM - 6:00 AM UTC (when site owners are sleeping)
- Peak day: Tuesday (hackers know many sites update on Mondays, creating vulnerabilities)
- Peak month: November (Black Friday preparation period - high-value targets)
The Agents* are strategic. They attack when you are least likely to notice.
Real Client Impact: The Numbers Behind the Stats
Statistics are abstract. Let's make them concrete:
What 10,482 Blocked Attacks Means
- 47 websites protected from compromise
- €2.3 million in potential revenue protected (based on average e-commerce site value)
- Zero successful breaches on our protected sites
- 1,247 hours of downtime prevented
- 89 Google blacklist warnings avoided
The Evolution of Attack Sophistication
What we saw in Q4 2025 was different from earlier in the year:
AI-Powered Password Guessing
Old brute force attacks tried random passwords. New AI-powered attacks:
- Analyze your site content to guess business-related passwords
- Use company names, owner names, and industry terms
- Try variations: "CompanyName2024!", "OwnerName123", "Industry2025"
We blocked one attack that tried 847 variations of a client's business name combined with common passwords.
Supply Chain Attacks
In November, we saw a new trend: attacks on plugin update servers. Hackers compromised the update mechanism of a popular plugin, pushing malware to 50,000+ sites in one update.
We caught it early. We blocked the update for our clients. We notified the plugin developer. We prevented a mass infection.
Multi-Vector Attacks
Modern attacks don't try one thing. They try everything at once:
- Brute force the login page
- Probe for plugin vulnerabilities
- Scan for exposed database files
- Test for weak file permissions
- Attempt SQL injection on contact forms
All within 5 minutes. All automated. All coordinated.
What We Learned: Defense Strategies That Work
After analyzing 10,482 attacks, here is what actually works:
1. Rate Limiting
Blocking IPs after 5 failed login attempts stopped 78% of brute force attacks. Simple. Effective.
2. Plugin Update Automation
Sites with automatic plugin updates had 92% fewer vulnerability probes. Hackers scan for old versions. If you're always updated, you're invisible to them.
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Every site with 2FA enabled had zero successful brute force breaches. Even if hackers guess the password, they can't get in.
4. Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Our WAF blocked 89% of SQL injection and XSS attempts before they even reached the site. It's like having a bouncer at the door.
5. Regular Security Audits
Sites we audit monthly had 67% fewer attack attempts. Hackers prefer soft targets. Hardened sites get ignored.
The Cost of Inaction
What happens if you don't have this protection? Based on industry data and our cleanup work:
- Average cleanup cost: €450-€1,200 per hacked site
- Average downtime: 3-7 days
- Average SEO recovery time: 2-6 months
- Average revenue loss: €2,000-€15,000 (depending on business type)
Our maintenance plans start at €99/month. That is less than one cleanup. That is less than one day of downtime for most businesses.
The Verdict for 2026
The threats aren't going away. They are getting faster, smarter, and more automated.
You cannot fight this alone. You need a defense system. You need a team.
Here is to another year of staying online, staying secure, and staying free.
The Operators* are watching.
Year-Over-Year Comparison: The Escalating Threat
To understand the scale of the problem, let's compare 2025 to previous years:
| Year | Attacks Blocked | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,892 | — |
| 2024 | 7,156 | +46.3% |
| 2025 | 10,482 | +46.5% |
The trend is clear: Attacks are increasing by nearly 50% year-over-year. The threat is accelerating faster than most businesses can adapt.
Attack Type Deep Dive: Understanding the Threats
Let's examine each attack type in detail:
Brute Force Logins (45% - 4,717 attacks)
Brute force attacks attempt to guess passwords by trying thousands of combinations:
- Common targets: WordPress admin, FTP, cPanel, database access
- Attack methods: Automated scripts trying username/password combinations
- Success rate: 0.1% (but devastating when successful)
- Prevention: Rate limiting, 2FA, strong passwords, IP blocking
Real example: One attack tried 2,847 different password combinations against a single site in 24 hours. Our firewall blocked all attempts after the 5th failed login.
Plugin Vulnerabilities (30% - 3,145 attacks)
Hackers exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated plugins:
- How it works: Scanners identify sites with vulnerable plugin versions
- Exploitation: Automated scripts exploit the vulnerability to gain access
- Time to exploit: Often within hours of vulnerability disclosure
- Prevention: Regular updates, vulnerability monitoring, security patches
Real example: A critical Elementor vulnerability was disclosed on a Tuesday. By Wednesday, we'd blocked 247 exploit attempts. Sites with automatic updates were safe. Sites without updates were compromised.
Malicious Bots (25% - 2,620 attacks)
Automated bots perform various malicious activities:
- Content scraping: Stealing content and data
- Vulnerability scanning: Probing for security weaknesses
- DDoS attacks: Overwhelming servers with traffic
- SEO spam injection: Injecting malicious content
Real example: A bot network attempted to scrape product data from an e-commerce site, generating 15,000 requests per hour. Our WAF identified and blocked the bot traffic, protecting the site's resources.
Detailed Case Studies: Real Attacks Blocked
Case Study 1: Black Friday DDoS Attack
The Target: E-commerce site expecting 10x traffic on Black Friday
The Attack: Coordinated DDoS attack attempting to overwhelm the server
The Scale: 2.3 million requests per hour from 847 different IP addresses
Our Response: WAF identified attack pattern, rate-limited requests, blocked malicious IPs
The Result: Site stayed online. Record sales day. Zero downtime. Revenue protected: €45,000
Case Study 2: Targeted Phishing Campaign
The Target: Law firm with sensitive client data
The Attack: Sophisticated phishing emails targeting admin credentials
The Method: AI-generated emails mimicking legitimate security alerts
Our Response: Email security filters blocked phishing attempts, 2FA prevented unauthorized access
The Result: Zero compromised accounts. Client data protected. Potential breach cost avoided: €150,000+
Case Study 3: Zero-Day Plugin Exploit
The Target: Multiple client sites using a popular plugin
The Attack: Zero-day vulnerability discovered and exploited within 4 hours
The Threat: Remote code execution allowing complete site takeover
Our Response: Vulnerability monitoring detected exploit, patches applied within 2 hours, sites protected before public disclosure
The Result: All protected sites safe. 12 unprotected sites (not our clients) were compromised. Protection value: priceless
Industry Context: How We Compare
Our 10,482 blocked attacks represent a fraction of the global threat:
- Global attacks: Over 90,000 websites hacked daily worldwide
- WordPress sites: 43% of all websites, making them prime targets
- Small businesses: 60% of hacked businesses close within 6 months
- Average time to detect: 6-12 months for most businesses
- Our detection time: Real-time monitoring catches threats within minutes
Our success rate: 100% of attacks blocked. Zero successful breaches on protected sites. This isn't luck—it's systematic defense.
Technology Stack: The Tools That Protect
Here's what we use to achieve zero successful breaches:
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Wordfence Premium: Real-time threat intelligence, malware scanning, firewall rules
- Sucuri: Cloud-based WAF, DDoS protection, malware removal
- Cloudflare: CDN with built-in DDoS protection and WAF capabilities
Monitoring and Detection
- File integrity monitoring: Detects unauthorized file changes
- Malware scanning: Daily automated scans for malicious code
- Vulnerability monitoring: Tracks plugin and core vulnerabilities
- Traffic analysis: Identifies suspicious patterns and bot activity
Automation and Response
- Automated updates: Patches applied within 24 hours of release
- Rate limiting: Automatic IP blocking after failed attempts
- Backup automation: Daily backups stored off-site
- Alert systems: Real-time notifications for security events
Lessons Learned: What Works and What Doesn't
After analyzing 10,482 attacks, here's what we learned:
What Works
- Layered defense: Multiple security layers catch different attack types
- Automation: Automated responses are faster than manual intervention
- Proactive patching: Updated sites are invisible to vulnerability scanners
- Monitoring: Early detection prevents successful breaches
- Education: Clients who understand threats are more security-conscious
What Doesn't Work
- Reactive security: Waiting for attacks to happen is too late
- Single-layer defense: One security measure isn't enough
- Set-and-forget: Security requires ongoing maintenance
- Weak passwords: Still the #1 cause of successful breaches
- Outdated software: Known vulnerabilities are easy targets
2026 Predictions: What's Coming Next
Based on 2025 trends, here's what to expect:
AI-Powered Attacks Will Increase
- More sophisticated password guessing using AI
- AI-generated phishing emails that are harder to detect
- Automated vulnerability discovery and exploitation
- Adaptive attacks that learn from defenses
Supply Chain Attacks Will Rise
- More attacks on plugin update servers
- Compromised themes and plugins in repositories
- Third-party service compromises affecting multiple sites
Ransomware Will Target Websites
- Encrypting website files and databases
- Demanding payment to restore access
- Targeting high-value e-commerce sites
Regulatory Pressure Will Increase
- Stricter data protection requirements
- Mandatory breach reporting
- Higher fines for security failures
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attacks does the average website face?
The average website faces hundreds of attack attempts per month, with high-traffic or high-value sites facing thousands. Our data shows an average of 223 blocked attacks per protected site in 2025. Attack frequency varies by: Site popularity, industry, traffic volume, security visibility. High-risk sites include: E-commerce stores, financial services, healthcare, legal firms, high-traffic blogs. Protection: Even small sites need security. Automated attacks don't discriminate. Our maintenance plans provide enterprise-level protection for all site sizes.
What's the difference between blocked attacks and successful breaches?
Key differences: Blocked attacks: Malicious attempts that were detected and prevented by security measures. No damage occurred. Successful breaches: Attacks that bypassed defenses and compromised the site. Damage occurred. Our record: 10,482 attacks blocked, zero successful breaches. Industry average: 1-3% of attacks succeed on unprotected sites. Why it matters: One successful breach can cost thousands in cleanup, downtime, and lost revenue. Prevention is far cheaper than recovery. Our layered defense approach ensures attacks are blocked before they can cause damage.
How do you detect attacks in real-time?
Real-time detection uses multiple methods: Traffic analysis: Monitoring for suspicious patterns, unusual request volumes, known attack signatures. Behavioral analysis: Identifying bot behavior, automated scanning, brute force patterns. Threat intelligence: Using databases of known malicious IPs, attack patterns, and vulnerabilities. File integrity monitoring: Detecting unauthorized file changes immediately. Log analysis: Reviewing access logs for suspicious activity. Automated alerts: Instant notifications when threats are detected. Our advantage: 24/7 monitoring means attacks are detected within minutes, not days or weeks. This rapid response prevents successful breaches.
Can small businesses afford this level of protection?
Yes, protection is affordable: Our plans start at €99/month, less than the cost of one cleanup (€450-€1,200). ROI calculation: Average hack costs €2,000-€15,000 in cleanup, downtime, and lost revenue. Annual protection costs €1,188. Protection pays for itself if it prevents just one attack. Small business risk: 60% of hacked small businesses close within 6 months. The cost of not protecting is business closure. Scalable solutions: We offer plans for all business sizes, from small blogs to enterprise e-commerce. Peace of mind: Knowing your site is protected 24/7 is invaluable. Our maintenance plans make enterprise-level security accessible to all businesses.
What should I do if my site is under attack right now?
Immediate response steps: 1. Enable maintenance mode: Take site offline temporarily to prevent further damage. 2. Check security plugins: Review blocked attacks and security logs. 3. Change all passwords: Admin, FTP, database, hosting accounts. 4. Enable rate limiting: Block IPs after failed login attempts. 5. Contact security professional: Don't attempt to handle sophisticated attacks alone. 6. Review recent changes: Check for unauthorized file modifications or new admin accounts. 7. Scan for malware: Use Wordfence or Sucuri to identify threats. 8. Backup immediately: Create backup of current state before cleanup. Emergency response: Our emergency response service can have your site secured within 24 hours. Time is critical—faster response means less damage.
How do I know if my current security is adequate?
Signs your security is adequate: Regular updates: WordPress, plugins, and themes updated within 24-48 hours. Security monitoring: Active malware scanning and file integrity monitoring. Firewall protection: WAF blocking malicious traffic. Strong authentication: 2FA enabled, strong passwords, limited login attempts. Regular backups: Automated daily backups stored off-site. Security audits: Monthly security reviews and vulnerability scans. Red flags: No security plugin, outdated software, weak passwords, no monitoring, no backups. Assessment: Our security audit service evaluates your current security posture and identifies gaps. We provide actionable recommendations to improve your defenses.
Why We Write About Security Threat Landscape (And Why It Matters for Your Website)
You might be wondering: "Why is a website maintenance company writing about security threat landscape? This is directly about WordPress, but why do you cover every attack statistic?"
Because every attack statistic matters. Here's why:
When we give you a heads-up about critical security issues like the threat landscape, we're not just being helpful—we're protecting your privacy and saving all of us time. Here's the reality:
- Your attack infrastructure passwords are valuable to hackers. If your malicious bot networks get compromised through a security threat, attackers don't just steal your personal data—they steal your website passwords, your hosting credentials, your FTP access, and your database passwords. Suddenly, your website is compromised not because of a WordPress core vulnerability, but because your malicious bot networks were exploited.
- An educated client is easier to serve. When you understand security threats, we speak the same language. You know why we recommend certain security measures. You understand why we push for updates. You see the bigger picture—that website security isn't just about plugins and themes, it's about the entire digital ecosystem you operate in.
- Prevention saves everyone time. If you get hacked because of a security threat, we have to clean up the mess. That takes time—your time dealing with the breach, our time cleaning and securing your site. By giving you a heads-up about critical issues like this, we're preventing problems before they happen. It's proactive maintenance, not reactive cleanup.
- Your security is our peace of mind. We sleep better knowing our clients are protected. When you're secure, your website is secure. When your website is secure, we don't have to spend hours cleaning up malware, restoring backups, or dealing with blacklist removals. Everyone wins.
This is why we write about security threat landscape and other security issues that affect your website. They're not unrelated—they're part of the same security ecosystem. Your attack infrastructure is a gateway to your website. Your email is a gateway to your hosting account. Your operating system is the foundation everything runs on.
We're not just maintaining your website. We're maintaining your entire digital presence. And that starts with keeping you informed about threats that could compromise everything.
So when you see us writing about attack statistics or threat reports, remember: we're protecting your website by protecting you. Because in the end, your security is our security. Your peace of mind is our peace of mind. And an educated client who understands the threats? That's a client we can serve better, faster, and more effectively.
