Why does my mail show up in the spam folder?

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Om understand why your emails end up in the spam folder, a basic understanding is required: Email goes through various filters before reaching the mailbox. These filters are set up by your hosting provider, on the server, or by Hotmail, Gmail, and other email providers.

Filters block email and determine if it’s spam

  1. The filters block a large portion of spam based on the information contained in an email. This includes things like explicit words or advertisements for products like “enhancement drugs” and “adult material.”
  2. The filters also block files known to contain viruses. (Based on file names and extensions, such as .exe files)
  3. Messages with large attachments are often blocked to prevent your mailbox from getting full.

In summary, if you send an email with large or suspicious attachments, it may get blocked. Similarly, if there are suspicions that the email is unwanted advertisement (spam), it may also get blocked.

The sending address

Another factor that can cause emails to end up in the spam folder is the sending address. Your email is sent through a server, which is a computer that processes much more information than just your email. If that computer is misused by others to send spam, the entire computer can end up on a blacklist.

Conclusion

If your email meets one of the above-mentioned factors, it may not land in the inbox, but instead be blocked or automatically placed in the spam folder.

 

Why am I receiving so much spam?

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So much spam! If you don’t have good filters, you can receive 20 to 200 unwanted emails daily. SPAM!

To figure out why you’re receiving so much spam, it’s essential to understand how spammers obtain your email address, why you’re getting so much in your inbox, and ultimately, most importantly, how to solve the problem.

How do they obtain your email address?

Individuals who want to send spam/advertisements can acquire your email address in three ways:

  • They purchase an email database with 20,000 email addresses.
  • They write a script that scans the internet for email addresses on web pages (then they spam these addresses and sell them again).
  • They personally approach large companies (this is rare).

Why do you receive so much spam?

If your email provider doesn’t have filters, you could receive thousands of spam messages per day. Fortunately, every hosting provider and mail service has spam filters, as otherwise, they would have to handle 95% of all mail from spambots.

Spambots?

These are scripts running on computers that do one thing: emailing, emailing, and emailing. A simple script that takes an email address, then grabs a piece of advertising and sends it. But it does this 4 times a day to the same address and with a total of millions 24/7.

Despite the spam filters, you still get 10 to 20 messages per day… 7 days a week. These are emails sent from unknown servers, where the sender can bypass all filters.

How can you solve spam?

In email programs and on the server, there are options to block email addresses or certain words.

Sometimes, in addition to the 500 words that are already blocked, it’s necessary to block specific advertisements as well.

Use the filters available in your email program or on the server to delete spam immediately. Otherwise, you’ll be constantly deleting spam emails every day, and it’s a losing battle against a computer, something we as humans will never win.

Why do people send spam?

Money.

1 out of 10,000 emails gets read, and someone makes a purchase. So there’s a reason to send millions of emails with a certain “great offer.”

 

Here’s how to fix a WordPress error

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An ERROR! Just when you were busy working on your website, suddenly an error appears on the screen. What now?!

Here, you’ll find everything about errors and how to resolve them!

Click on the error you are currently experiencing:

Fixing an Error

To get started, you need access to the files and a program to edit the code:

You can access the server using Filezilla (Or a file editor in DirectAdmin/Cpanel).
You can edit files using Notepad++.

Error 404

404 page not foundWhat is Error 404: Error 404 indicates that the page is not available. Many themes have a nice 404 page that matches the website’s style, but if you don’t have that, you’ll see a blank page with a 404 error.

Where is the problem: You may have accessed a page that is not available or has changed its URL, or the permalink structure is incorrect in your Htaccess file.

How to fix the problem: Make sure you have accessed the correct page. If you are sure that you are using the correct URL to access the page that is still visible/editable in your admin, you can reset the permalink. Go to your admin > settings > permalinks, then choose Default/Post name and save the setting.

Error 500

error-500What is Error 500: Error 500 is usually seen when the server is offline.

Where is the problem: This problem can be caused by the hosting (the server) or by a code error.

Determining the cause: To determine if your website is completely offline, you can access the server with the FTP details. If it is still reachable, the server is still working. You can sometimes test this by accessing yourwebsite.com/license.txt (change “yourwebsite” to your own URL). If that file is still visible, the problem is with the code, not the server.

How to fix the problem: If your server is unreachable, send a message to your hosting provider, and they will look into it. If the server is working but your website is not, you can deactivate plugins by moving them, as mentioned. Errors are often found in plugins.

The Error: Database Connection Error

database errorWhat is the database connection: The database contains all the texts and settings of your website. It is often located in a different location than the data, such as WordPress images, your theme, and plugins.

Where is the problem: The database is no longer accessible, meaning there is no “connection.”

How to fix the problem: To determine if your website is completely offline, access various addresses, such as admin, homepage, or license.txt.

If any of these addresses yield results, the server is not completely offline, and you need to specifically check whether the admin, a plugin, or theme is responsible.

If all addresses give a 500 error and this lasts for more than half an hour, contact your hosting provider to have them look into the server.

The Error: This Site is Unreachable

site not reachable
Why is the website unreachable: The address you entered is not linked to an address on the server, known as a DNS address.

Where is the problem: 9 out of 10 times, you have entered the wrong web address. Check carefully for any commas instead of periods and ensure you are using the correct domain extension (nl, com, net, eu).

How to fix the problem: Try googling the address. You might find the correct address in one of the search results.

The Error: White Page

white page wordpressWhy do I see a white page: You get a white page for simple errors. WordPress is still working but hides the error to prevent hackers from exploiting it.

Where is the problem: You will only know this when you can read the error, and you can enable this function in the wp-config.php file. Look for a line with “debug mode: false”. Change it to TRUE, and the error will appear (refresh the page).

How to fix the problem: The error often shows the path to a file and the line where the code needs to be corrected.

Who hacked my website?

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Your website has been hacked, and it now displays advertisements for another website and product. Or the hacker has used your website/server to send out thousands of spam emails.

That’s not a pleasant situation! And after removing the hack, you may want to track down the hacker.

But you won’t find them.

Why you won’t find the hacker

Hacks are 999 out of 1000 times automated. This means the hacker has written a script that searches for sites one by one and tests them for vulnerabilities.

  1. The script runs on a server, and not from the hacker’s computer.
  2. The hacker who launched the script for the first time did so through a “detour”. The data ended up on the internet through many other computers.
  3. There are more than 10,000 scripts in circulation. The scripts are also reused by others who did not develop them. It could be just a student or your neighbor who is not a programmer, making it impossible for you to expect it from the person.
  4. The product the hacker is advertising goes through advertising sites in different countries, each with its privacy laws.
  5. The name of the hacker is often a fictional name that is used by multiple people.

Prevention is better than cure

We have various clients who want to recover the costs of restoring their website from the culprit, the hacker who developed the script with malicious intent. However, no matter how good your connections are or how many computer specialists or detectives you hire, you won’t find the culprit quickly, let alone bring them to court.

So, prevent your website from being easily hacked by scripts!

Have your WordPress website professionally secured.

 

WordPress hacking, child’s play?

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WordPress gives away a lot of information about the active plugins, the theme, and even the version of WordPress your website is running on…

The WordPress version number is visible in the source code of many websites and in the readme.html file that is placed on the server with every WordPress update.

With this specific information about plugins, themes, and the WordPress release, hackers and scripts can hack any insecure WordPress website.

Both automated scripts and novice programmers can then target your WordPress with specific code to hack the website and display their own ads on your website!

This brings us to the first question,

Can you hide the source code and specific information?

The source code will always remain visible to everyone.
And with specific server requests, it is always possible to check which plugins are active.

example of WordPress dataOnly as a programmer, you can make plugins invisible to hackers, which means excluding updates.
Interested in going a step further? It takes time and costs some, but if you’re interested, we can make your plugin unrecognizable: feel free to contact us.

What information does your WordPress website reveal to hackers??

It’s important for everyone with a WordPress site to know how their website’s security stands and how much information is actually visible to hackers and hackbots.

We have found 2 websites where you can check for free if your WordPress site has already been hacked and if it gives away information that could lead to your website being hacked.

The free security check for your WordPress website

  1. sucuri scanOne of the best websites for WordPress security and hacks is Sucuri’s Malware Check
    The Sucuri malware scan shows if your website is infected and if your website is currently blacklisted. This way, you can find out if your WordPress site has not been hacked yet.
  2. The second website we recommend is the Hackertarget Security Scan
    wordpress scan
    The Hackertarget security scan shows what information your website gives away. This includes usernames, active plugins, and the theme your WordPress site is using.

Knowledge is power

Now you know that hackers can easily discover which plugins and WordPress version you are using, which is a weak point of WordPress. You also know the steps you can take to secure your website.

Or not? WPbeveiligen.nl is filled with articles and tips on securing your website!

A professional who truly cares for your WordPress site

wordpress

If your website is essential to you, it’s best to let a professional work on it. We’ve been working with WordPress full-time since 2007.

Feel free to contact us, either by phone or email. We can tell you how your WordPress website is doing and what can be improved!

And even better, we can take all your worries off your hands and get to work right away if you fill out a form.

 

Setting up a business website: page-by-page

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Assuming you have a hosting provider and have installed WordPress. You have even chosen a beautiful theme.

But what’s next?

What information should you place on your website?

Now it’s crucial to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. The potential customers you want to inform about what you offer.

We’ll help you get started with the basics:

The pages that are typically needed to inform your visitors/customers and, of course, persuade them to choose your product or service.

  1. The homepage: Showcase what you have to offer, your services. But not only what services you provide but also why the visitor should choose you. What makes your service better than others?
  2. About Us: Customers like to know who is behind the product or service. Convince them that you are an expert in what you do, show your passion for what you offer. (Become an expert if you are not already, my motto: do it well or don’t do it at all).
  3. Services and Products: If you offer multiple products or services, you can present them in an organized way on one page. Visitors often want to see what you offer, the cost, and the results they can expect.
  4. Contact: Customers want to be able to get in touch with you. It gives them a sense of security and allows them to call you if they have questions before purchasing your product or service.

Finally:

Ensure that these four pages are understandable both for “novices” and for customers who are already familiar with your services. Also, make sure to only state information and claims that you can fulfill.

Most customers don’t believe in “golden promises,” but they do recognize knowledge and passion, and that’s how you can convince them. That’s the goal of your website. When writing the pages, focus on them and not on points that you find interesting as a provider!

Secure your website

Make sure your WordPress site is well-secured. Viruses on servers and the internet have the nasty habit of injecting code into your database, especially in the “post table” where your texts are stored!

You may lose your content, and it can be replaced with advertisements for shady online shops.

For website security and information, you can always turn to us. You can find our phone number and send us a message on our contact page. We would be delighted to inform you about the options to secure your website. Websites and security are our passion!

 

Is this WordPress plugin still safe?

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When adding plugins, you may sometimes see a notification stating that the plugin hasn’t been updated for more than 2 years.

Does this necessarily mean that the plugin is insecure?

Some plugins have simple functions with only a few lines of code that don’t need to be updated.
Updating a plugin is only necessary when it contains vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.

How to determine if a plugin is still secure

wordpress plugin database

One way to find out if a plugin is vulnerable is through www.wpvulndb.com.
At the time of writing, this website has registered over 8000 vulnerabilities in plugins and themes.
Use the search bar to check your plugin.

If you are a programmer, you can also perform a check using WPscan.
This is a bit more complicated and requires knowledge of various software and operating systems.

search in google

Another method to check is by entering the plugin name in Google’s search engine.
Google the name of the plugin + hack, hacked, malware, injection. Do this primarily in English as you’ll have the greatest chance of getting results.

What to do if a plugin is outdated or vulnerable?

WordPress currently has more than 51,000+ plugins.
There is a good chance that you can easily find an alternative plugin that can fulfill the same role.

Above all, do not take any risks if the plugin is on the list of www.wpvulndb.com.

Automated scripts test thousands of websites daily for vulnerable plugins.
These scripts quickly find your website via Google and inject advertising or malware into your website.

Remove malware from WordPress

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Malware is a true plague for WordPress websites.

Malware in WordPress can consist of:

  • A script that sends spam
  • Unwanted ads inserted between your texts
  • Redirecting visitors to unknown webshops
  • And more..

In short, malware is not something you’d be happy about!

And it’s not just you; thousands of other WordPress websites are also used by hackers to display their ads.

This is an automated process where the hacker writes a script that exploits a vulnerability in WordPress or one of its plugins.

How can you remove Malware?

To do this, you need to be able to recognize malware, which is not easy if you are a design agency or a beginner.
Malware is written in PHP but then passed through a program that turns it all into =(LFIIOHWGWWGHIHHHH)=.
This way, the server cannot recognize the malware since it is not readable (but still executable).

Malware can be just one line hidden among the thousands of code lines in WordPress.

Getting Malware removed

It’s easier to have WPbeveiligen remove the malware. We have years of experience in locating and removing malware!
And not only that.. we can also secure your website to prevent the malware from coming back within 2 days. We provide a guarantee for that!

Get malware removed

Or secure your WordPress website to prevent malware from entering!

Social media and WordPress

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WordPress offers plenty of plugins to integrate social media with your website:

SSBA – Simple Social Button Adder

The SSBA plugin allows you to add beautiful buttons above and below your articles and pages. It’s a free plugin that offers various styles, sizes, and customization options.

Monarch – By Elegant Themes

Monarch is a fantastic plugin that provides options to display social media icons on the side of your website, as a popup after a certain number of seconds, or when the visitor reaches the bottom of the page. You can also set the popup to be shown only once.

The plugin is easy to configure and includes a statistics page where you can see how many times the website has been shared and through which medium, displayed per day, week, and month.

One small drawback: At Elegant Themes, you can’t buy a single plugin directly; they offer a whole subscription plan. However, it is reasonably priced!

Social Media = Free Advertising and Visibility

Here, we talk about giving your visitors the option to share your website on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ easily. If visitors can share your website and specific pages with just one click, your website is more likely to be shared with others and gain more visibility.

Free advertising!

Furthermore, when your website is shared within their social circle, it carries a certain persuasive power in terms of advertising.

The Difference Between Followers and Sharers

There’s a significant difference between the buttons displayed by these plugins: Share buttons and Follow buttons.

In a nutshell, when visitors can share your website on social media, you don’t need your own social accounts. They share your website on their accounts!

However, if you place buttons with links to your social media accounts to gain followers, you need an active Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter account for them to follow.

In summary, the effectiveness and return on investment of social media depend entirely on your own efforts.

Securing WordPress, a necessity!

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It is necessary to have your WordPress website secured, even if you have a small website or a website for a select audience. Every WordPress website found on Google will be tested for leaks by hackers and automated scripts.

View this short instructional video.