Often the attacks can be stopped or identified quickly if appropriate cyber security - protection and monitoring - is in place (see www.foregenix.com/fgxweb.php). Rapid detection can help to minimise the effect of being hacked; however, we’re finding that a considerable number of websites are operating without decent security in place and subsequently are being hacked and compromised without knowing until the damage is done.
This can have severe implications for a business, with Visa and MasterCard fines, the Data Commissioner fines (in the UK) and of course, losing your hard-earned reputation by losing all your client data.
Foregenix have created a free Magento scanner for website owners and website developers to scan their websites for externally visible Magento Malware, or known Magento issues.