How To Fight A Skimming Attack On WooCommerce Sites

Card skimming can silently creep up on you and, before you know it, you’ve lost customers, your reputation has taken a nosedive, and you are drowning in legal fees. 

If you’re facing an influx of customer complaints about hacked credit cards, your WooCommerce site has likely been compromised. Your site might be infected with malware that’s skimming your customers’ credentials. 

Before you hit the panic button, scan your site first. If you have found malware, skip straight to our section on removing the malware. 

This article will take you through what is happening. What is a skimming attack? How does it happen? How can you prevent it? We will answer all your questions. 

TL;DR: Skimming attacks can be a huge drain on your resources and finances. We recommend you install MalCare so you can scan for malware and clean your site in minutes. Time is of the essence and a quick setup plugin like MalCare is the way to go.

What is a skimming attack?

Skimming is a sophisticated form of crime where criminals steal financial data. With ecommerce sites, hackers use malicious software to steal data like credit card info and personal details. Once they steal the data, they use methods like card testing to find out which of those credentials are valid. They can then use that information to make larger transactions on the valid cards. 

Hackers do this by intercepting and stealing payment information directly from consumers during transactions. Malicious software is installed at points where digital payments are processed, like checkout forms. 

E-commerce stores are prime targets for skimming attacks because of the valuable data they hold. In May 2022, some Sucuri customers reported suspicious credit card activity. Upon investigation, the malware was found to be obfuscated and located in core files. So, unlike a vulnerable plugin that is easy to identify and remove, this technique meant that the code was harder to find. A good malware scanner would have found the malware pretty quickly.

We’re not surprised Sucuri’s scanner didn’t find it because when we tested the plugin on our hacked test site, it gave us a clean bill of health. This is why we recommend that you install a reliable plugin like MalCare. 

How to identify if you have some skimming software on your site?

Detecting skimming attacks early is crucial to minimize their impact and prevent data theft. There are many signs that indicate a site has been hacked. While not all of them will be visible on your site, it is important to be vigilant. The more vigilant you are, the faster you can catch the attack and block it. 

• Scan your WordPress site regularly: One of the primary defenses against skimming attacks is employing a robust malware scanner. Skimming malware is often obfuscated within legitimate files, such as theme files, making it challenging to detect with standard security tools. An intelligent malware scanner that can thoroughly scan and identify zero-day malware is indispensable. For example, many Sucuri customers experienced attacks by skimming software hidden within their theme files, prompting them to open in-depth investigations. These incidents highlight the limitations of some scanners in detecting deeply embedded malware. 

In contrasr, MalCare’s scanner that can identify even zero-day malware. It also scans your entire site—database, core files, and more. This means that it will find even obfuscated code hidden deep in your site’s code. 

• Unauthorized changes to a site: These changes could range from subtle modifications in payment page scripts to more visible anomalies like unexpected redirects. Site administrators should regularly audit their site’s code and look for unauthorized or unexplained modifications. Implementing a file integrity monitoring system that logs and alerts admins about any changes can be an effective strategy for early detection.

• Unusual credit card activity from customers: An indicator of skimming attacks can include reports from customers of unusual credit card activity following transactions on your site. If multiple customers experience unauthorized transactions after shopping on your platform, it’s a strong signal that your site may be compromised. Monitoring customer feedback and transaction logs for any irregularities can help identify skimming activity early.
• Web host notifications: Web hosting providers often monitor the security status of the websites they host. If your web host detects malware or vulnerabilities on your site, they may send notifications. Such alerts should be taken seriously and prompt immediate investigation and remediation efforts. 

• Google blacklisting: Google and other search engines maintain lists of websites suspected of hosting malware or engaging in malicious activity. If your site gets blacklisted, it’s a red flag that it may be compromised by skimming malware. 

• Browser warnings: Modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari incorporate built-in security features that warn users when they attempt to visit a site suspected of malware or phishing activities. For example, users may see a warning that there is a deceptive site ahead. 

How to remove skimming malware from your WooCommerce site?

Discovering skimming malware on your WooCommerce site can be alarming, but prompt action can mitigate the damage and restore your site’s security. Removing skimming malware effectively requires a systematic approach and reliable tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide to eliminating skimming malware, including how you can leverage MalCare’s one-click cleaner to simplify the process:

Step 1 – Quarantine your site: The first step in removing skimming malware is to isolate your website to prevent further data breaches and protect your customers. Temporarily disable your WooCommerce store to ensure that no additional transactions can be processed while you clean and secure your site. Notify your customers about the temporary downtime and assure them that you are addressing a security issue. You can put the site in maintenance mode using a plugin like SeedProd while you fix the hack.

Step 2 – Implement MalCare’s one-click cleaner: MalCare offers a powerful, user-friendly solution to remove malware from your site efficiently. Here’s how to use MalCare’s one-click cleaner: 

1. Install MalCare: If you haven’t already, install the MalCare security plugin on your WooCommerce site. You can find it in the WordPress plugin repository. 

2. Run a scan: Once installed, MalCare will initiate a sync. The sync will comprehensively scan your site for malware. The intelligent scanning algorithm thoroughly examines your website files, database, and backend processes to detect any hidden malware, including obfuscated skimming scripts.

3. Identify threats: MalCare will indicate whether your site is hacked or not. For a detailed report of any malware detected, highlighting the specific files and code snippets that have been compromised, you need to upgrade to a subscription. This report allows you to understand the extent of the infection and the types of threats present on your site.
4. One-click cleaner: With a premium plan, you get access to MalCare’s one-click malware removal feature instantly. Simply click the Clean Malware button, and the plugin will automatically remove all detected malware from your site. This process is quick, efficient, and requires no technical expertise on your part. If the malware proves to be complex, you also have access to unlimited removal support from a team of security experts.

5. Change your credentials: Make sure to change all credentials like wp-admin panel password or cPanel password. 
6. Let your customers know: Be transparent and let them know everything. You can turn a disaster into a PR win by acknowledging the issue faced, and outlining a future plan of action to ensure security is a top priority.
7. Reset all your security keys and salts: Part of the post hack regime is to change your security keys and salts. This reduces the chances of a hacker regaining access. With MalCare, you can do this automatically during the auto-clean process.  

Why are skimming attacks dangerous?

At the core of skimming attacks is hacker gaining sensitive financial information, such as credit card details, addresses, and customer names. The exposure of this data can lead to identity theft, unauthorized financial transactions, and a cascade of legal repercussions for the affected business. 

When a skimming attack becomes public knowledge, the reputational damage for you can be profound. Customers whose information has been compromised are likely to lose confidence in the business’s ability to protect their data. Negative publicity can deter new customers from engaging and lead existing customers to seek safer alternatives, severely affecting customer retention and acquisition.

The discovery of a skimming attack often leads to significant operational disruption. Businesses may need to take their websites offline temporarily to investigate and address the breach. Such downtime can lead to lost sales and damage the user experience.

Additionally, the internal focus shifts from business growth to crisis management, diverting resources and attention away from core operational goals.

Lastly, the financial toll of skimming attacks extends beyond immediate transactional losses. Businesses may face hefty fines for non-compliance with data protection laws and regulatory requirements. Legal costs associated with defending against lawsuits from affected customers can be substantial.

A noteworthy example is the MageCart attack on British Airways. In this highly publicized attack, MageCart hackers modified existing JavaScript on the British Airways website, enabling them to skim customer payment information without detection. This breach compromised the personal and financial details of hundreds of thousands of customers. When the attack was discovered, British Airways faced severe repercussions. Initially, the company was hit with a staggering £183 million GDPR fine for failing to protect customer data adequately. Although this fine was later reduced to £20 million, the financial and reputational damage was significant. We recognise that this was not a WooCommerce site but MageCart has also attacked WooCommerce sites before. They’re not partial to any one platform. 

Final thoughts

Skimming attacks pose significant dangers on multiple levels, from financial losses and reputational damage to operational disruptions. However, there is a straightforward solution: MalCare. By leveraging MalCare’s advanced security features, you can effectively identify, remove, and prevent skimming malware, safeguarding your WooCommerce site and ensuring the security and trust of your customers. Taking proactive steps with MalCare provides peace of mind and robust protection against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

FAQs

What is a skimming attack? 

A skimming attack is a form of cyberattack where malicious actors steal sensitive information from ecommerce sites. This could include information such as credit card details, personally identifiable information, and login credentials of website users. Skimming attacks typically target e-commerce websites to exploit data entered by customers during transactions. The attackers inject malicious code, using formjacking, usually JavaScript, into the website. This code then captures the input data and sends it to an external server controlled by the attackers. The attackers are then free to use this information for whatever they want. 

What are the signs of skimming attacks?

Detecting a skimming attack on your WooCommerce site can be challenging because the malicious code is often hidden and designed to be difficult to find. However, there are several indicators and tools you can use: 

• Unusual activity: Monitor for unusual activity on your site, such as unexpected redirects, changes in checkout processes, or abnormal server load. 
• Security scanners: A good security plugin like MalCare scans your WooCommerce site regularly. It can detect malicious code in any nook and corner of your files or databases. It is also able to detect backdoors that the hacker may have left behind.  
• Transaction monitoring: Keep an eye on transaction logs and reports for any irregularities. Look for multiple declined transactions or unusual purchase patterns.

What to do if customers are complaining about their cards being hacked?

You have to kick into firefighting mode and do the following things:

• Scan your site for malware with MalCare to make sure the hack is legitimate and on your end.
• Remove any malware with MalCare’s one-click cleaner. 
• Reach out to customers and stakeholders and inform them.
• Change all your passwords and credentials, and advise your users to do the same as well.
• Install a firewall to block future attacks.

Check out our tutorial for more detailed instructions on fighting a hack.