“More than 90,000 websites are hacked every single day.”
Let that sink in for a moment.
Now imagine searching your own business on Google and instead of your brand name, you see Japanese or Chinese text. You click it, and the page is full of random product links you’ve never seen before.
It feels like waking up to find someone has replaced the signboard of your shop with a completely different business.
Confusing. Embarrassing. Damaging.
If this is happening to your WordPress site, you’re likely dealing with what’s known as the Japanese Keyword Hack. And it’s more common than most business owners realise.
How This Hack Works (In Simple Terms)
Hackers look for weak points.
An outdated plugin. A theme that hasn’t been patched. A password that’s too easy to guess.
Once they gain access, they create hidden pages on your website. These pages are usually filled with Japanese text promoting counterfeit goods, spam sites or sometimes outright scams.
You won’t see these pages when logged into WordPress.
But Google sees them.
And Google will show them in search results.
The result: your brand reputation gets tied to something that has absolutely nothing to do with you.
A real case:
A small ecommerce brand in Southeast Asia saw their traffic drop nearly 70% overnight. Customers started messaging them asking if their business had been sold to a Japanese retailer. Sales dropped. Trust faded. All because of a silent hack they didn’t even know was happening.
Why This Is Seriously Bad News
Leaving it alone is not an option.
This hack impacts your business on multiple levels:
- Search ranking damage: Google may penalise your domain.
- Loss of credibility: Customers lose trust quickly.
- Security risk: If hackers can inject text, they can do more.
- Potential data exposure: Customer info may not be safe.
This isn’t “just a technical issue”.
It is a brand and business risk.
How to Fix It: Practical Steps You Can Do Today
Let’s keep things clear and actionable.
1. Back Up Your Website First
Before touching anything, create a full backup.
Both files and database.
If anything goes wrong during cleanup, you can restore.
2. Run a Full Malware Scan
Use trusted security tools such as:
- Wordfence
- Sucuri Security
These will help detect unfamiliar scripts, suspicious files or unauthorised changes.
3. Update Everything
WordPress core.
Themes.
Plugins.
Old versions are like leaving your shop door unlocked.
4. Change All Passwords
Not just your WordPress login.
Also update:
- Hosting / Control Panel
- FTP / SFTP
- Database
Use long, complex passwords. Think 14+ characters.
5. Check for Unknown Admin Users
Hackers often create hidden admin accounts so they can return later.
If you see a user you don’t recognise, remove it.
6. Fix Your Google Search Appearance
Log into Google Search Console:
- Inspect your indexed pages
- Request removal of Japanese spam pages
- Resubmit your XML sitemap after cleanup
This helps restore normal search visibility faster.
7. Add Website Protection
After cleaning, you must close the door that allowed the hack.
Use:
- Cloudflare Firewall
or - Sucuri Firewall
This adds a protective shield between your site and attackers.
The Fastest Solution (If You Want Zero Headaches)
If you have a clean backup from before the hack, restore it.
Then secure everything immediately.
If you don’t:
Sometimes the most efficient fix is to reinstall WordPress, then import your clean content and start fresh.
Yes, it sounds extreme, but it ensures the hack is fully gone.
Final Thoughts
Your website is not just a collection of pages.
It is your brand presence.
Your credibility.
Your digital storefront.
When it gets hacked, it’s not just an inconvenience.
It affects trust, sales and visibility.
The good news?
This problem is fixable.
And once you secure your site, the chances of being hacked again drop dramatically.
Treat website security the same way you’d treat the locks on your shop door.
Because the more visible your business becomes, the more worth protecting it is.