When a reputable law firm approached us with urgent concerns about their compromised website and disrupted email communications, we knew swift action was essential. Their website had been hacked twice, leading to their domain being blacklisted by Proofpoint’s spam filter. This not only tarnished their online reputation but also resulted in financial losses due to failed email communications with clients, especially those using Apple’s @me.com accounts.
The Challenges:
- Compromised Website Security:
- The law firm’s WordPress website had outdated and unsupported plugins, making it vulnerable to attacks.
- Previous hacks had eroded client trust and jeopardized sensitive information.
- Email Deliverability Issues:
- Being blacklisted by Proofpoint meant their emails were marked as spam or blocked entirely.
- Communication breakdown with clients led to missed opportunities and financial setbacks.
- Bot Traffic and Spam Submissions:
- The website was a target for bots, leading to spam form submissions and skewed analytics.
Our Strategic Solutions:
- Migrating to Cloudflare:
- Domain and Hosting Transfer: We moved their domain and hosting services to Cloudflare, benefiting from enhanced security features and faster content delivery.
- DNS Management: Streamlined DNS settings for better performance and reliability.
- Enhancing Website Security:
- Plugin Audit and Updates: Removed outdated and unsupported plugins, replacing them with secure and actively maintained alternatives.
- Regular Maintenance Schedule: Established a routine for updates and backups to prevent future vulnerabilities.
- Implementing Email Security Protocols:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Configured SPF records to specify authorized mail servers, reducing the risk of spoofing.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Set up DKIM to attach a digital signature to emails, ensuring content integrity.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Deployed DMARC policies to instruct receiving servers on how to handle unauthenticated emails.
- Filtering Out Bot Traffic:
- Cloudflare Turnstile Implementation: Integrated Cloudflare’s Turnstile to differentiate between human users and bots, reducing spam and protecting site integrity.
The Outcome:
- Restored Email Functionality: With proper email authentication protocols in place, the law firm’s emails now reach clients’ inboxes, including those with @me.com addresses.
- Enhanced Website Security: The site is fortified against potential threats, providing a secure experience for both the firm and its clients.
- Improved Client Trust: Rapid resolution of their issues led to regained confidence among existing clients and a positive impression on new visitors.
- Ongoing Support: We continue to host and monitor their website, ensuring optimal performance and security.
Client Feedback:
“If you need a website designer or a “fix” to whatever ails your website, Brandon is “Da Guy”! Our Firm’s website was the victim of cyber attacks and malware, which caused our outbound emails to be “blacklisted” by their intended recipients, resulting in a lot of lost productivity and potential income. Brandon came to our immediate rescue, solved our problems and didn’t charge us an arm and a leg to do so. He was so responsive and affordable, that we have retained his services to maintain our website on an ongoing basis. 110% recommend! Thank you, Brandon!und in just one day. Their expertise not only restored our website and email communications but also reinforced our clients’ trust in us. We highly recommend their services.” — Patricia Biro, as posted on Google Reviews.
Conclusion:
In today’s digital landscape, security and reliability are paramount. This case underscores the importance of proactive website maintenance and robust email authentication measures. We’re proud to have assisted the law firm in overcoming their challenges swiftly and effectively.
Need Assistance with Your Website or Email Systems?
If you’re facing similar issues or want to bolster your online security, contact us today. We’re here to provide fast, reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
