Are the search results for your website displaying strange Japanese text? If so, you may be a victim of the Japanese SEO Spam, also known as the Japanese keyword hack. This attack can be a major headache for website owners. It fills your site with spammy, irrelevant keywords, which can severely damage your search engine rankings and reputation. Don’t worry, though. The Hawk Tech is here to help you understand what this is and how to fix it.
What is the Japanese Keyword Hack?
The Japanese keyword hack is a type of SEO spam where a hacker gains unauthorised access to your website. They inject malicious code that creates new, hidden pages or modifies existing ones with Japanese keywords. These pages are designed to trick search engines like Google into displaying spammy content in your search results. The goal is to funnel traffic from your website to the hacker’s malicious sites, often for shady purposes. This not only harms your website’s integrity but also ruins your SEO efforts.
The hack can be hard to spot at first. Your website might look normal to you and your regular visitors. The spam content is often cloaked, meaning it’s only visible to search engine bots. However, if you see Japanese text in your Google search results, you’ve been compromised.
Steps to Fix the Japanese Keyword Hack
Getting rid of the Japanese keyword hack requires a systematic approach. Follow these steps carefully to clean your site and prevent future attacks.
1. Back Up Your Site Before Cleaning
This is the most critical first step. Before you make any changes, you must back up your entire website. This includes all files and your database. A backup ensures that if something goes wrong during the cleaning process, you can restore your site to its previous state. This will prevent any data loss or further damage. You can perform a backup manually, use a plugin, or utilise your hosting provider’s backup features.
2. Check Google Search Console for Unauthorised Users
Hackers often add themselves as administrators to your site. This gives them full control to manipulate settings, including sitemaps and geo-targeting.
- Go to your Google Search Console.
- Navigate to the “Users and Property Owners” page.
- Look for any unfamiliar email addresses, especially spammy-looking Gmail accounts.
- If you find any, remove their access immediately.
This step helps to ensure the hacker can’t regain access after you’ve cleaned the site.
3. Run a Malware Scan
A thorough scan is essential to find and remove the malicious files. You can use your web host’s cPanel ‘Virus Scanner’ or a reliable plugin. We recommend using a professional-grade malware scanner like the Wordfence plugin. Wordfence offers a powerful malware scanner and a web application firewall to help identify and block threats. The Hawk Tech offers technical services that include comprehensive malware scans and removal. This ensures no hidden files are left behind.
4. Check the .htaccess file
The .htaccess A file is a common target for hackers. They use it to redirect visitors and search engines to their spam websites.
- Locate your
.htaccessfile in your website’s root directory. - Compare its content with a clean version from your backups.
- Look for any suspicious or unfamiliar rules.
- If you find any questionable code, comment it out by adding a
#character at the beginning of the line.
Hackers may also compromise other core files like index.php and config.php. Always check these files for unusual code as well.
5. Replace Core, Plugin, and Theme Files
After identifying the compromised files, the best course of action is to replace them with clean versions.
- Download fresh copies of your WordPress core files, themes, and plugins from their official sources.
- Overwrite the existing files on your server.
- This ensures that any hidden malicious code within these files is completely removed.
This step is a powerful way to eliminate the Japanese keyword hack and other malware that might be embedded in your site’s software.
6. Prevent Future Attacks with a Website Firewall
Once your site is clean, you must take steps to prevent another attack. The Japanese keyword hack is just one example of SEO spam. Others, like the pharma hack, display spammy pharmaceutical products. A website firewall is your first line of defense.
The Hawk Tech’s technical services include installing and configuring a robust security suite. This firewall blocks dangerous requests and virtually patches software vulnerabilities, protecting your site from future attacks. Our proactive security measures are designed to safeguard your website and ensure long-term stability.
How The Hawk Tech Can Help
The Japanese keyword hack is a serious threat, and dealing with it can be overwhelming. The Hawk Tech has the expertise to handle such issues. Our comprehensive it solutions services are designed to not only fix your problems but also prevent them from happening again.
- SEO Solutions: Once the hack is removed, we can help you repair your SEO. Our SEO services include submitting clean sitemaps to Google, disavowing any spammy backlinks, and monitoring your search rankings. This helps restore your site’s reputation and visibility.
- Technical Services: Our technical team can perform a deep clean of your website, removing all traces of malware. We’ll secure your files, database, and server environment. Our goal is to make your website more resilient to future attacks.
- Managed IT Services: For ongoing protection, our managed it services provide continuous monitoring and maintenance. We’ll keep your software updated, run regular security audits, and provide a website firewall to create a secure environment for your business.
Don’t let the Japanese keyword hack derail your online presence. Trust The Hawk Tech to provide the small business IT solutions and expertise you need to get back on track.
Conclusion
The Japanese keyword hack can be a frustrating and damaging experience for any website owner. However, by following a clear, step-by-step process, you can effectively remove the malware and restore your site’s integrity. Remember to back up your site, check for unauthorized users, perform a thorough scan, and replace compromised files.
For guaranteed results and proactive protection, consider partnering with an experienced provider. The Hawk Tech offers a complete suite of Business IT Solutions that protect your digital assets and help your business thrive. Our it solutions services are tailored to your needs, ensuring your website is not only clean but also secure and optimized for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if my website has the Japanese keyword hack?
The most common sign is seeing Japanese text in your Google search results for your website’s pages. You might also notice a sudden drop in your site’s traffic or search rankings.
2. Is the Japanese keyword hack harmful to my visitors?
Yes, it can be. The malicious code might redirect your visitors to spam or phishing websites. This could expose your visitors to scams or malware, which damages your credibility.
3. What is the main cause of the Japanese keyword hack?
The hack is typically caused by a security vulnerability on your website. This could be an outdated plugin, a weak password, or a flaw in your hosting environment. Regular updates and strong passwords are key to prevention.
4. How long does it take to fix the Japanese keyword hack?
The time it takes to fix the hack depends on the severity of the infection. A simple, manual cleaning might take a few hours. A complex, widespread infection may require professional technical services to ensure all malicious files are found and removed.
5. How can The Hawk Tech prevent future SEO hacks?
The Hawk Tech provides comprehensive managed it services that include a website firewall, continuous monitoring, and security audits. These proactive measures help block malicious requests and patch vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
