theveracityreport

[theveracityreport]

DollyWay Malware Infected Over 20,000 WordPress Sites: How to Protect Your Website

Over 20,000 WordPress sites worldwide have fallen victim to a persistent malware known as DollyWay. This dangerous malware redirects visitors to fraudulent gambling, crypto, and sweepstakes sites, posing significant risks to website owners and users. With the malware’s ability to evade security measures, it’s crucial to know how to protect your site from infection. In this guide, we’ll explain how DollyWay works, why it's dangerous, and how to secure your WordPress site against future threats.

What Is DollyWay Malware?

DollyWay is a type of website redirect malware that has been active since 2016. The malware targets vulnerabilities in outdated WordPress plugins and themes, injecting malicious code to redirect website visitors to scam websites. DollyWay's redirection tactics are highly effective because it only activates when visitors click on specific elements, meaning logged-in users and bots typically don’t see the redirection. This makes it harder for security tools to detect and block the threat.

With an impressive 10 million impressions per month, DollyWay is a highly profitable operation for cybercriminals, and its ability to bypass security measures makes it particularly dangerous.

How to Protect Your WordPress Site from Malware

If you’re a WordPress website owner, it’s crucial to implement the right security measures to protect your site from malware like DollyWay. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Update Plugins and Themes Regularly

Cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software, including WordPress themes and plugins. Make sure all plugins and themes are updated regularly to patch any security flaws. Enabling automatic updates for WordPress can help reduce the risk.

2. Install Security Plugins

Using a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri adds an additional layer of protection. These plugins monitor your site for suspicious activities, block malicious traffic, and help prevent malware infections.

3. Use Strong Authentication and Restrict Access

Limit access to your WordPress dashboard to only trusted administrators. Enforce strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts. This will help protect your site from unauthorized logins and hacking attempts.

4. Perform Regular Backups

Frequent backups ensure that if your website gets infected, you can restore it to a clean, working version without losing valuable data. Use a WordPress backup plugin to automate this process.

5. Scan for Malware and Clean Infected Files

Run regular scans for malware using security tools like Sucuri or MalCare. If your site is infected, follow the WordPress security guide to remove malicious code or seek professional help.

Conclusion: Protect Your WordPress Site Now

As the DollyWay malware continues to evolve and infect more WordPress sites, it’s essential to take immediate action to secure your platform. By following these best practices—updating software, using security plugins, enabling strong authentication, and performing regular backups—you can significantly reduce the risk of malware infections and protect your visitors from falling victim to online scams.

Meta Description (SEO)

"Protect your WordPress site from DollyWay malware, which has infected 20,000+ websites. Learn how to secure your platform with updates, plugins, and best practices."

SEO Best Practices Implemented:

Keywords: “DollyWay malware,” “WordPress sites,” “malware protection,” “website security,” “WordPress plugins,” “malware prevention,” and related phrases.

Meta Description: A clear, concise description of the article with targeted keywords.

Header Tags: Structured with appropriate header tags (H1, H2, H3) for better readability and SEO ranking.

Internal Linking: Potential to link to other related blog posts or WordPress security articles (not included here but can be added).

Content Quality: A mix of informative content, clear headers, and actionable steps.

[theveracityreport]

Integrating GEO with SEO: The Future of Search Optimization

Search is changing. Traditional SEO strategies are no longer enough as AI-driven search engines reshape user behavior. With the rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), brands must evolve to maintain visibility and recognition across AI-powered platforms.

GEO is the process of optimizing entities—brands, products, concepts, or individuals—to appear in AI-generated responses across tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, Gemini, and Perplexity. Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on rankings, GEO emphasizes retrievability, ensuring AI can access and prioritize your brand in its responses.

Why Traditional Rankings No Longer Guarantee Visibility

Traditional search engines operate through:

Crawlability – How well search engines access content.

Indexability – Whether content meets indexing criteria.

Rankability – The ability to rank within search results.

AI-driven search introduces retrievability, determining how effectively AI accesses and prioritizes information. High search rankings alone no longer ensure visibility in AI search.

Building Authority: Brand Mentions vs. Backlinks

For years, SEO relied on backlinks to establish credibility. AI search, however, recognizes authority through contextual relevance, entity associations, and consistent brand mentions rather than just link-building.

To enhance visibility, brands should:

Be frequently mentioned in authoritative sources.

Ensure contextual relevance in industry conversations.

Strengthen associations with key entities.

How AI Retrieves Information: The Role of RAG

AI models don’t rank results traditionally. Instead, they predict responses based on:

Learned entity associations from training data.

Real-time retrieval through RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation).

Optimizing for RAG-driven AI search means:

Earning mentions in AI-trusted sources.

Structuring data for easy AI access.

Ensuring brand consistency across platforms.

The Three Pillars of Optimizing Retrievability

Presence: Ensuring consistent mentions in industry-relevant sources.

Recognition: Establishing credibility through authoritative mentions and content.

Accessibility: Structuring content to be easily retrieved and processed by AI.

Integrating GEO with SEO

To succeed in AI-driven search, brands must merge GEO with SEO across on-page, off-page, and technical strategies.

On-Page SEO for GEO Optimization

Build topical authority with entity-rich content and structured topic clusters.

Use strategic internal and external linking to reinforce entity relationships.

Monitor AI-generated responses to align content with evolving user intent.

Publish research-driven insights to encourage authoritative mentions.

Format content for AI processing (FAQs, bullet points, structured data).

Update content regularly to stay relevant in AI search.

Off-Page SEO for GEO Optimization

Target AI-trusted sources for mentions in authoritative publications.

Leverage digital PR to influence industry conversations.

Ensure brand consistency across all online mentions.

Strengthen presence in the Knowledge Graph via Wikipedia and Wikidata.

Engage in real-time discussions on platforms like Reddit and Quora.

Monitor AI-generated content to refine strategy.

Technical SEO for GEO Optimization

Use structured data markup to reinforce entity recognition.

Optimize site speed and performance for seamless AI processing.

Allow AI crawlers (GPTBot, PerplexityBot, etc.) access via robots.txt.

Improve media assets for multimodal search with proper tagging and metadata.

Measuring Success in AI Search

Traditional SEO metrics like rankings and CTR don’t fully capture AI-driven visibility. Instead, brands should track:

AI-generated impressions and mentions in search tools.

Branded search volume growth to assess brand recognition.

Engagement across AI-powered platforms beyond traditional click-through rates.

AI search is here, reshaping how brands achieve visibility. By integrating GEO strategies with SEO businesses can ensure they remain discoverable in the evolving search landscape. The key is to prioritize retrievability, build contextual authority, and maintain a consistent brand presence across AI-driven platforms.

[theveracityreport]

Chocolatiers Face Challenges Amid Soaring Cocoa Prices

Chocolatiers are grappling with significant challenges due to soaring cocoa prices, which are largely influenced by climate change and agricultural diseases. Kate Rumsey, owner of Rumsey's Chocolaterie in Thame, shared her concerns about the impact of these rising costs on her business, noting that wholesale cocoa prices have tripled compared to two years ago. The situation has been exacerbated by extreme weather events in West Africa, a primary source of cocoa beans. Droughts and heavy rains have led to reduced crop yields and the spread of diseases such as black pod disease, which destroys cocoa beans on trees. As a result, chocolatiers are forced to adapt their recipes and business models. Johnny Baxter from Dorset Chocolate mentioned that innovation is key, with many chocolatiers incorporating more fruit into their products to cope with increased costs. Rumsey expressed uncertainty about the future of her business, highlighting how the rising prices might necessitate passing costs onto customers, which could further impact sales. The overall sentiment among chocolatiers is one of concern, with many wondering if they will be able to sustain their operations amid these economic pressures.

[theveracityreport]

Why Your Kitchen Sponge is Full of Bacteria – And What You Can Do About It

The Perfect Home for Microbes

Kitchen sponges are warm, damp, and full of tiny food particles—creating the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. In 2017, microbiologist Markus Egert analyzed used sponges and found 362 different species of bacteria, with some areas containing up to 54 billion bacteria per square centimeter. To put that in perspective, that’s similar to the bacteria density found in human stool samples!

One key reason sponges hold so many microbes is their structure—the tiny holes and pockets inside sponges provide a variety of microenvironments that allow different bacteria to settle and grow. Some bacteria thrive alone, while others need to be part of a community. Sponges provide the perfect mix of spaces to accommodate both.

Are These Bacteria Dangerous?

Most of the bacteria found in kitchen sponges are not harmful to healthy people. Many bacteria are a natural part of our environment and even live on our skin. However, Egert’s study found that half of the most common bacterial species in sponges were closely related to bacteria that can cause infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and children.

Luckily, bacteria that cause food poisoning, like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, are relatively rare in kitchen sponges. A separate study by Jennifer Quinlan found that only 1-2% of sponges contained food poisoning bacteria, and in very small amounts.

Does Cleaning Your Sponge Help?

Many people try to sanitize their sponges by:

Microwaving them

Running them through the dishwasher

Soaking them in hot, soapy water or disinfectant

These methods do reduce bacteria, but they don’t necessarily make the sponge safe. Egert’s study found that while microwaving or boiling a sponge killed some bacteria, it also allowed the most resistant and potentially harmful bacteria to survive and multiply again. Over time, this can create a sponge that harbors even tougher microbes.

Should You Use a Brush Instead?

A study by Norwegian scientist Solveig Langsrud found that while both sponges and dishwashing brushes contained similar types of bacteria, brushes harbored far fewer microbes overall. This is because brushes:

Dry out faster between uses (bacteria need moisture to grow)

Have fewer nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide

Can be cleaned more easily

When Salmonella was introduced to both brushes and sponges, it thrived in the sponge but died off in the brush, likely because the brush dried out faster.

How to Keep Your Cleaning Tools Hygienic

If you still prefer using a sponge, experts recommend:

Replacing it weekly

Microwaving it or running it through the dishwasher daily to kill bacteria

Letting it dry completely between uses instead of keeping it damp

Avoiding using it to clean raw meat juices (use paper towels or separate cloths instead)

However, some scientists, like Egert, argue that switching to a dishwashing brush is a smarter choice for hygiene. Since brushes dry out more effectively, they naturally prevent bacteria from growing.

Final Verdict: Sponge or Brush?

If you’re healthy, the bacteria in your sponge probably won’t harm you—but it may cause bad smells over time.

If you’re immunocompromised, elderly, or have young children, switching to a brush could be the safer option.

No matter what you use, keeping it clean and dry is key to preventing bacteria buildup.

So, while your kitchen sponge isn’t necessarily a health hazard, it’s definitely a microbial hotspot. If you want a cleaner, more hygienic option, a dishwashing brush is the way to go!

[theveracityreport]

Trump Escalates Feud with Zelensky, Calls Him a 'Dictator'

President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a "dictator" and accusing him of corruption, further straining relations between the two leaders.

The remarks came after Zelensky condemned Trump's stance on U.S.-Russia negotiations, asserting that the American president was “living in a disinformation space” influenced by Moscow. In response, Trump, speaking at a Saudi-backed investment forum in Florida, accused Zelensky of manipulating U.S. leaders, particularly President Joe Biden, for continued financial aid.

Trump’s comments drew swift backlash from European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called the characterization "wrong and dangerous." UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed his support for Zelensky, emphasizing that wartime conditions justified Ukraine’s suspension of elections.

The tensions escalated after Trump blamed Ukraine for the war, suggesting Kyiv could have "made a deal" to prevent the conflict. His stance mirrors Russian rhetoric, prompting criticism from former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who remarked that Moscow was “celebrating” Trump’s remarks.

Zelensky has rejected Trump’s push for access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, underscoring the growing friction between the two. Meanwhile, Trump continues to question U.S. support for Kyiv, emphasizing that the war is “far more important to Europe than it is to us.”

The widening rift signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump's leadership, with implications for Ukraine, NATO, and global stability.

[theveracityreport]

Trump Aligns with Russia as He Reshapes U.S. Policy on Ukraine

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made a series of striking statements that indicate a major shift in America’s stance on the war in Ukraine, moving closer to Russia’s perspective. His recent comments, including labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and accusing him of corruption, mark a drastic departure from the traditional U.S. support for Ukraine. These remarks follow a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, fueling speculation that Trump is setting the stage for a foreign policy that prioritizes a more conciliatory approach toward Russia while reducing military aid to Kyiv.

Trump's Harsh Criticism of Zelensky and Ukraine

Trump’s recent verbal attacks on Zelensky are unprecedented for a U.S. leader. Less than three years ago, the Ukrainian president received a standing ovation in the U.S. Congress for leading his country against Russia’s invasion. However, Trump has now reversed course, portraying Zelensky as a corrupt leader who is manipulating the international community to keep the “gravy train” of foreign aid flowing into Ukraine.

This comes just after Trump appeared to shift blame for the war from Russia to Ukraine, a stance that aligns with Moscow’s longstanding justification for its invasion. His statement, “Zelensky better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left,” suggests that he sees Ukraine’s resistance as futile, echoing Russian claims that Ukraine should negotiate with Putin rather than continue to fight.

Trump’s rhetoric on Ukraine is not entirely new. He has long criticized the amount of U.S. military aid sent to Kyiv, arguing that supporting Ukraine is not in America's best interest. Before his re-election, he frequently described Zelensky as “the greatest salesman of all time” for persuading the U.S. government to provide billions in military assistance.

Trump’s Alignment with Russian Narratives

Russia has welcomed Trump’s shift in tone. Andrei Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to the UK, openly praised Trump’s approach, stating that for the first time, the U.S. is no longer dismissing Russia’s positions as mere propaganda. Instead, Kelin suggested that Trump is “listening” to what Russia has been saying about the conflict.

Trump’s changing stance on Ukraine follows a history of statements favorable to Putin. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump called Putin a “genius” for how he handled the situation. In 2018, at a U.S.-Russia summit in Helsinki, he publicly questioned U.S. intelligence reports on Russian election interference, choosing to side with Putin instead.

With Trump’s return to power, he now wields complete control over the Republican Party and can implement a foreign policy that reflects his “America First” vision. This means prioritizing economic gains over military commitments and shifting focus away from Ukraine toward countering China.

A Republican Party Unlikely to Resist Trump’s Shift

Despite concerns from some Republicans, there has been little effort within the party to challenge Trump’s stance on Ukraine.

Several Senate Republicans, including Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and John Kennedy, expressed disagreement with Trump’s characterization of Zelensky. Senator Thom Tillis, who recently visited Kyiv, reinforced that “the responsibility for the war rests solely on Vladimir Putin.” However, history suggests that criticism from within the party will not translate into meaningful opposition.

Unlike his first term, when officials such as John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and John Kelly tempered his foreign policy impulses, Trump’s current administration is filled with loyalists. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has followed Trump’s lead, and key figures like Steve Witkoff—Trump’s close associate—are now involved in diplomatic discussions. Those who oppose Trump’s foreign policy direction have been sidelined.

Trump's Transactional Foreign Policy and Its Consequences

Trump’s foreign policy does not follow traditional ideological lines. Instead of seeing global conflicts through the lens of democracy versus authoritarianism, he treats them as business deals.

His frustration with U.S. aid to Ukraine stems from the belief that America is “getting nothing back” in return. He recently criticized Zelensky for rejecting a U.S. proposal to gain access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, reinforcing his view that U.S. foreign aid should come with direct economic benefits.

This transactional approach mirrors his past foreign policy decisions. During his first term, he proposed turning Gaza’s waterfront into a resort as part of his Middle East peace plan. He also suggested that the U.S. should maintain control over Syria’s oil fields, seeing them as a potential source of profit.

In Trump’s worldview, U.S. military involvement in Ukraine is a burden rather than a necessity. He argues that Europe has a greater stake in the conflict than the U.S. and should take primary responsibility for supporting Kyiv. This is a major departure from previous American policy, which viewed standing up to Russian aggression as a key national security priority.

The Growing Divide Between the U.S. and Europe

Trump’s shift in foreign policy threatens to create a significant rift between the U.S. and its European allies. Since the war began, European nations have depended on Washington’s leadership in rallying support for Ukraine. The Biden administration repeatedly emphasized that backing Ukraine was crucial for U.S. security interests, a stance shared by NATO allies.

However, Trump’s rhetoric suggests he sees the war as Europe’s problem, not America’s. He has indicated he would be open to negotiating with Russia to quickly end the war, a move that would likely force Ukraine into unfavorable concessions.

This signals a return to Trump’s isolationist approach, which was evident during his first term when he frequently criticized NATO and suggested he might withdraw the U.S. from the alliance. If he follows through on his stance, it could weaken Western unity against Russia and embolden Putin to pursue further aggression.

Republican Voter Sentiment Is Shifting

Polling suggests that Trump’s stance on Ukraine aligns with a growing segment of the Republican electorate.

A February Pew survey found that only 30% of Republicans believe the current level of U.S. support for Ukraine is “not enough” or “just right.” When the war began in 2022, that number was 72%. Meanwhile, 40% of Republicans now say that aiding Ukraine “hurts” U.S. national security, compared to just 27% who believe it helps.

This shift reflects a broader transformation in Republican foreign policy under Trump’s leadership. The party that once championed an interventionist stance—seen under George W. Bush’s presidency—has largely embraced Trump’s more isolationist approach.

[theveracityreport]

Man City's Collapse in Madrid Signals the End of an Era

Manchester City’s reign as one of Europe’s most dominant football teams may have come to an unceremonious end at the Santiago Bernabéu. Their crushing 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League was more than just an early exit from the competition—it was a symbolic moment that marked the decline of a once all-conquering side.

A Humbling Night in Madrid

For years, City have been seen as one of the few teams capable of standing toe-to-toe with Real Madrid. Their intense clashes in previous seasons often went down to the wire, but this time, there was no contest. From the moment Kylian Mbappé scored just four minutes into the game, the result felt inevitable. Madrid, playing with ruthless efficiency, outclassed Pep Guardiola’s team in every department, making them look like a shadow of their former selves.

As City struggled to put together meaningful attacks, their own fans resorted to sarcastic cheers and ironic chants. This was not the reaction of supporters who believed in a comeback—it was the reaction of those who had accepted the harsh reality: this City side was no longer at the top of European football.

The End of a Cycle?

Every great team has a life cycle. Barcelona’s golden era under Guardiola faded after their peak in the early 2010s. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United had to undergo multiple rebuilds. Now, it seems, City must face a similar transition.

Guardiola himself acknowledged this, stating after the match: "Nothing is eternal. The best team won. They deserved it. This is the benchmark. We have to accept it and move forward."

The squad that won a historic treble just a couple of seasons ago looks tired, aging, and in need of fresh blood. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, and Ederson are now past their peak years. While still talented, they no longer possess the same sharpness or hunger that once made City an unstoppable force. Injuries to crucial figures like John Stones and Erling Haaland also exposed the squad’s growing fragility.

Tactical Shortcomings & Transfer Failures

Guardiola’s City has always been known for their tactical superiority, but against Madrid, they were completely outmaneuvered. The defensive weaknesses were glaring, and the lack of energy in midfield was obvious. Young players like Abdukodir Khusanov were thrown into high-pressure situations they weren’t ready for, while new signings like Omar Marmoush had little impact.

The club’s recent transfer business has also been questionable. The departures of key leaders such as Ilkay Gündogan and Riyad Mahrez have left a void in experience and leadership. Their replacements have yet to prove they can handle the pressure of competing at the highest level.