Why read this: "Hacked: Why I'm kicking out WordPress"
One unsolicited “password changed” email turned into a full backend takeover, strange accounts, a defaced signature page, and an AI system prompt rewritten by an intruder. What began as a classic WordPress exploit (outdated code + SQL injection) ended with an ironic twist: the hacker actually improved the satirical Ronald Thump avatar’s voice. This piece walks you through the breach, the decision to scrap the CMS entirely, and the clean rebuild as a lean custom site with a direct AI connection. Read it if you value security over convenience, or if you’ve ever wondered whether “easy” platforms are quietly costing you control.
It started with an email like this on my screen: Your password has been changed.
Well, definitely not. I hadn’t changed anything at all.
Some hacker or other had found an old vulnerability in WordPress and was right inside the backend of the Ronald Thump Parody website. Within a few minutes, my password had been changed, strange accounts appeared in the database, a signature page was hanging on the site, and the AI had been modified. That is, the hacker had dived straight into the system prompt.
AI hijacked… but the hacker was right
Usually, with a hack like this, you only get junk or vague advertisements. This was different.
The hacker had rewritten the instructions for the interactive Ronald Thump avatar. Suddenly, it said that the clone had to shout that climate change is a hoax.
I feel very differently about that myself, but when I read that modified prompt, I couldn’t deny one thing: that hacker had actually portrayed that character a lot better than I did. So when I went to fix things, I just left that text there. With a parody, it’s about the character being right, even if I don’t agree with it myself. It is funny, though, that such a suggestion comes in via a hack.
Laziness costs you your head
I actually used WordPress simply because it’s easy. A CMS for lazy people, simple enough. But that is precisely the problem. Everyone knows that code, so intruders run scans day and night to see where the door is ajar.
One outdated version was enough. Through an SQL injection, the tables were exposed in no time, and I lost control.
Run everything out and rebuilt it myself
I didn’t feel like patching things up a bit. The real solution was simple: throw out the weakest link. And that was WordPress itself.
I immediately rebuilt the site completely from scratch as a standalone website, directly around the avatar:
No more CMS junk: No unnecessary layers that hackers can exploit.
Direct AI connection: It now runs smoothly on the functionality itself, without all that complicated stuff surrounding it.
Custom engine: It runs on the Avatar Talker that I built together with AI. By the way, you can download that for free from GitHub if you want to get started with AI cloning yourself.
Just don’t use WordPress. It’s handy if you’re lazy, but it simply isn’t secure. If you leave it lying around for even a moment, you’re screwed. Do you want something that is secure and runs smoothly? Rip out those extra layers and just build it yourself.
About Dirk Jan Buter
I am a software developer, programmer, and the founder of Yvonta, based in Zwolle, The Netherlands. With a deep passion for low-level systems, custom software architecture, and the evolving intersection of AI and human digital persistence, I spend my time building specialized tools and exploring the technical and philosophical boundaries of digital autonomy.
Writing and publishing are central to my work, but navigating them comes with a unique challenge: I live with dyslexia. To bridge the gap between complex architectural ideas and clear communication, I use AI as an active co-writer and editorial partner. This collaboration allows me to focus fully on the core concepts, logic, and perspective of my writing, ensuring my technical insights and independent editorial projects are shared with clarity and precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
16 questions
The author received an email stating that the password had been changed on the Ronald Thump Parody website. This was unexpected since the author had made no changes. It quickly became clear that a hacker had exploited an old vulnerability.
The hacker used an outdated version of WordPress to perform an SQL injection that exposed the database tables. This allowed immediate control over the site, including password changes and account creation. The author notes that WordPress's widespread use makes such scans common.
The hacker rewrote the system prompt for the interactive Ronald Thump avatar to include statements that climate change is a hoax. New accounts appeared in the database and a signature page was added to the site. The author left the altered prompt in place because it better fit the parody character.
The author felt the rewritten prompt portrayed the Ronald Thump character more authentically than the original instructions. Although the author disagrees with the climate change denial message, the parody's goal is to let the character express its own views. Leaving it created an ironic situation where the hack improved the site.
WordPress is described as a CMS designed for lazy users, but its popularity means everyone knows the code and hackers constantly scan for vulnerabilities. A single outdated version was enough for the breach. The author concludes it simply is not secure enough for ongoing use.
The author decided to completely remove WordPress and rebuild the entire site from scratch as a standalone website. No CMS layers were retained that could be exploited. The focus shifted to a direct AI connection built around the avatar itself.
The site now runs on a custom engine called the Avatar Talker, developed with AI assistance. It features no unnecessary layers, direct AI integration, and a streamlined architecture. The new site is already online, with only minor mobile fixes remaining.
The Avatar Talker can be downloaded for free from GitHub to help others build their own AI clones. It was created by the author together with AI specifically for this project. This replaces the complex surrounding infrastructure of WordPress.
The main lesson is to avoid WordPress entirely because it is convenient but insecure when left unattended. Building custom solutions without extra exploitable layers provides better security and performance. The author advises ripping out unnecessary components and constructing sites directly.
WordPress is portrayed as easy for beginners but vulnerable due to its ubiquity and outdated installations. A custom standalone site eliminates these risks by removing extra layers and enabling direct functionality. The rebuilt version focuses solely on the avatar without CMS overhead.
The author notes that most hacks result in junk or vague ads, but this incident was different because the hacker targeted the AI prompt creatively. The intrusion showed sophisticated intent rather than random vandalism. This led to an unexpected improvement in the parody's authenticity.
An SQL injection through an outdated WordPress version exposed the database tables almost immediately. This allowed full backend access within minutes. The author attributes it to the platform's well-known code that invites constant scanning.
Using WordPress is framed as a shortcut that ultimately costs time and security because popular code attracts attackers. The author contrasts this with the effort of a one-time custom rebuild that removes weak links. The result is a more reliable and direct system.
The changes occurred within a few minutes of the initial unauthorized access. Strange accounts appeared in the database and the AI prompt was modified almost immediately. This speed highlighted how quickly control was lost once the vulnerability was exploited.
Only a few last adjustments on mobile devices are needed, as the core site is already live and functional. The author emphasizes that the new custom setup runs smoothly without the previous complications. This completes the transition away from WordPress.
Readers interested in AI cloning are directed to download the free Avatar Talker from GitHub as a starting point. The author demonstrates that building directly around AI functionality avoids the security pitfalls of layered CMS tools. This approach prioritizes both security and character fidelity.
Generated by AI to give you complete answers about this topic.
Leave a Reply