Website defacement is an attack on a website that changes the visual appearance of a website or a web page. These are typically the work of defacers, who break into a web server and replace the hosted website with one of their own.

How do hackers deface websites?

Hackers deface websites by gaining unauthorized access to an environment. The methods can vary, but popular methods of entry include vulnerabilities in third-party plugins and stolen login credentials. Hackers who discover these vulnerabilities can gain edit access to a website and make whatever changes they see fit.

Is it illegal to deface a website?

What is website defacement? ... In this way, website defacement is not only capable of embarrassing an attacked business or organization on a visual level, but it can also cause harm to its followers. Because of this, these practices are illegal and can lead to fines and/or jail time when the perpetrator is caught.