How to recover a hacked WordPress website

Discovering that your WordPress website has been hacked can be a stressful experience. However, with the right approach, you can recover your site and secure it against future attacks. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to recover a hacked WordPress website and restore it to full functionality.

Identify the Signs of a Hack

Before diving into recovery, confirm that your website has been hacked. Common signs include:

• Unfamiliar users or admin accounts.
• Strange files or scripts in your WordPress directory.
• Unexpected redirects or pop-ups.
• Google or browser warnings about malware.
• A sudden drop in website traffic or rankings.

Take Your Site Offline Temporarily

To prevent further damage and protect your visitors:

1. Put your site in Maintenance Mode using a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode.
2. Alternatively, temporarily restrict access by enabling a password in your hosting control panel.

Scan Your Website for Malware

Use a reliable security plugin or online tool to identify the source of the hack:

• Plugins: Install Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security and run a full scan.
• Online Tools: Use Sucuri SiteCheck or Quttera Web Malware Scanner for a quick check.

Change All Passwords

Immediately update all passwords associated with your website:

• WordPress admin password.
• Database password.
• FTP/cPanel credentials.
• Email accounts linked to your site.

Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

Restore from a Clean Backup

If you have a recent backup, restore your site to a clean state:

1. Access your backup files via your hosting provider or a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.
2. Replace the hacked files with the clean backup files.
3. Restore the database if necessary.

Remove Malicious Code

If you don’t have a backup, manually clean your site:

1. Access your site files via FTP or your hosting file manager.
2. Look for suspicious files (e.g., .php files in the wp-content/uploads folder).
3. Compare your core files with a fresh WordPress installation to identify changes.
4. Remove any malicious code or files.

Update Everything

Outdated software is a common entry point for hackers. Ensure everything is up to date:

• WordPress core.
• Themes and plugins.
• PHP version (use at least PHP 7.4 or higher).

Harden Your Website Security

Prevent future attacks by implementing these security measures:

• Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.
• Limit login attempts and enable 2FA.
• Disable file editing in the WordPress dashboard by adding define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to your wp-config.php file.
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) like Cloudflare or Sucuri.

Monitor Your Site

After recovery, keep an eye on your site for any unusual activity:

• Regularly scan for malware.
• Monitor user accounts and file changes.
• Set up alerts for suspicious activity.

Inform Your Users

If user data was compromised, notify your visitors and advise them to change their passwords. Transparency builds trust and ensures everyone stays safe.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

To avoid future hacks:

• Regularly back up your website.
• Use strong passwords and 2FA.
• Keep your software updated.
• Invest in a reliable security plugin.

By following these steps, you can recover your hacked WordPress website and strengthen its security. If you’re unsure about handling the process yourself, consider hiring a professional or reaching out to your hosting provider for assistance.

Need Help?
If you’re overwhelmed, many WordPress security experts and services specialize in cleaning hacked websites. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help to ensure your site is fully secure.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever dealt with a hacked website and how you resolved it!