WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites on the internet. Unfortunately, as with any popular platform, WordPress websites are vulnerable to hacking attempts. If your WordPress website has been compromised by hackers this blog post will show you how to fix a hacked WordPress website
How Do I Know If My WordPress website Has Been hacked?
- Unexpected changes to your website: If you notice changes to your website that you didn’t make or if the content is missing, it could be a sign that your website has been hacked.
- Unusual website behavior: If your website is behaving in unusual ways, such as redirecting to other websites or displaying unexpected pop-ups, it could be a sign of a hack.
- Suspicious user accounts: If you notice new user accounts on your website that you didn’t create, it could be a sign of a hack.
- Website traffic changes: If you notice a sudden increase or decrease in website traffic, it could be a sign of a hack. Hackers may redirect traffic to their own website or cause your website to crash.
- Security warnings: If your browser displays security warnings when you try to access your website, it could be a sign that it has been hacked.
Steps To Fix Or Clean A Hacked WordPress Website
Identify the Hack
The first step in fixing a hacked WordPress website is to identify the type of hack that has taken place. Some common types of hacks include:
- Malware injections: Hackers inject malicious code into your website’s files or database.
- Backdoor access: Hackers create a backdoor on your website, giving them access to your site even after you have removed the malicious code.
- Defacements: Hackers deface your website by changing the content of your site or adding their own content.
- Phishing: Hackers create fake login pages or forms to steal user information.
To identify the hack, you can use security plugins such as Sucuri or Wordfence to scan your website for malware and suspicious activity. You can also check your website’s files and database for any unfamiliar code.
Back Up Your Website
Before you start fixing your hacked WordPress website, it is important to back up your website. This will ensure that you have a clean copy of your website to revert to in case anything goes wrong during the fixing process.
You can back up your website using a plugin such as UpdraftPlus or manually by exporting your website’s files and database.
Remove the Malicious Code
Once you have identified the hack, you need to remove the malicious code from your website’s files and database. This can be done manually by searching for unfamiliar code in your files or using a security plugin to automatically remove the malicious code.
If you are not comfortable with manually editing your website’s files, it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional.
Update WordPress Your Plugins and Themes
Outdated versions of WordPress and plugins plus themes can leave your website vulnerable to hacking attempts. To prevent future hacks, it is important to update your WordPress installation and plugins to their latest versions.
You can update your WordPress installation and plugins from your WordPress dashboard or manually by downloading the latest versions from the WordPress repository.
Change Your Passwords
Hackers can gain access to your website by guessing or cracking your passwords. To prevent this, it is important to change all your passwords, including your WordPress login, FTP, and database passwords.
When creating new passwords, it is recommended that you use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Harden Your Website Security
To prevent future hacks, it is important to harden your website security. This can be done by:
- Installing a security plugin such as Wordfence or Sucuri.
- Enabling two-factor authentication.
- Limiting login attempts.
- Disabling file editing from within WordPress.
- Using a secure hosting provider.
Check Your Website for Vulnerabilities
After you have fixed your hacked WordPress website, it is important to check your website for vulnerabilities. You can use a vulnerability scanner such as Nessus or OpenVAS to scan your website for vulnerabilities.
If any vulnerabilities are found, it is important to fix them as soon as possible to prevent future hacks.
Fixing a hacked WordPress website can be a challenging and time-consuming process. However, by following the steps outlined in this essay, you can fix your hacked WordPress website and prevent future hacks. Remember to back up your website before making any changes, and seek the help of a professional if you are not comfortable with manual editing.