Posted by Your website is your online identity, and a hacked WordPress site can be a nightmare for any business or individual. From lost data to compromised security, the consequences of a hack can be disastrous.
But fear not! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of recovering a hacked WordPress website step by step. We’ll cover everything from identifying the breach to cleaning up malware and strengthening your site’s security measures.
So if you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate situation of a hacked website, don’t panic. Follow our guide and rescue your online presence today.
Determining If Your WordPress Site Has Been Hacked
Detecting a hack early on can minimize damage, so it’s crucial to know the signs. There are numerous telltale signs that your WordPress website has been hacked:
Unexpected changes to your site’s content: Be alert for any unauthorized alterations to your website’s posts or pages. Hackers may insert links, scripts, or unwelcome content into your site.
Unfamiliar user accounts: Keep an eye out for any new, unknown users who have administrative access. These could be hacker-controlled accounts.
Redirection to suspicious websites: If your site visitors are being redirected to shady websites, a hack is likely.
Unusual site performance: Slow load times, frequent crashes, or other erratic behavior could signal a breach.
Google warning: If Google flags your site as unsafe, it may have detected malware or other harmful content.
Unexplained server usage: A sudden surge in your server’s resource usage can be a sign of a hack, as hackers often use compromised sites to send spam emails or launch attacks on other sites.
Recognizing these signs can help you act quickly, minimizing the damage and making the recovery process smoother. However, not all signs are obvious. Some hacks are skillfully hidden and might require professional assistance to detect. That’s where Reliqus Consulting comes in handy. They offer expert WordPress website malware removal services at an affordable price of just $79. With their expertise, they can unearth any hidden threats that could jeopardize the safety of your site.
How to Recover a Hacked WordPress Website?
Discovering that your WordPress website got hacked can be frightening, but don’t panic. You can take organized steps to regain control and ensure your online space is safe.
Simply follow these easy steps to fix your hacked WordPress website:
Put WordPress in Maintenance Mode
Upon detecting a potential hack, your initial step should be to put your WordPress site into Maintenance Mode. This limits the damage by preventing public access while you’re addressing the issue.
Enabling Maintenance Mode is simple: you can use a plugin, or manually add a maintenance file to your WordPress directory. Remember, during this period, your users will only see a maintenance page, not the potentially harmful effects of the hack.
This safeguards your user’s trust while giving you enough space to work behind the scenes to regain control of your site.
Change Your Passwords
To make your hacked WordPress site secure again, the next step is to change all your passwords. This means updating your passwords for WordPress, SFTP, database, and hosting provider. It’s important to create strong and unique passwords.
You can use a helpful tool like NordPass, a password management tool, to generate complex passwords. Make sure these passwords are at least 16 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using simple choices like “123456” or “password.” Also, let other admin users know that they should reset their passwords as well. This helps in strengthening the overall security of your site.
Use Reliqus Malware Removal Service
If you suspect or confirm malware on your website, use their WordPress website Malware Removal Service for a comprehensive and effective solution. Their service is designed to thoroughly scan, identify, and remove any malicious elements, ensuring the safety and integrity of your website. Their malware removal services can be opted at pocket friendly Prices at just $79.
But if you think this choice is too expensive, don’t stress! We recommend reading their detailed blog on how to recover a hacked WordPress website yourself. However, keep in mind that DIY methods may not be as thorough as a professional service like Reliqus.
Remove New WordPress Users
If your WordPress site is compromised, a clear sign is seeing new users with admin powers suddenly showing up. These unexpected users might have full control over your website and could do serious damage.
If you see any admin accounts that you didn’t add or recognize, it’s crucial to act fast. Remove these unfamiliar users right away to prevent any potential harm. This ensures that only trusted administrators, like yourself, have control over your website.
Update Plugins and Themes
Now that your site is in Maintenance Mode, it’s time to ensure your plugins and themes are up-to-date. Hackers often exploit outdated plugins and themes to breach your site’s security. Check for updates regularly, and promptly install them when available.
But remember to be cautious – before installing any updates, always verify their sources to ensure they’re trustworthy. Additionally, discard any plugins or themes that you don’t use or need.
Unnecessary plugins not only clutter your site but can also serve as potential entry points for hackers. It’s all about minimizing risks and keeping your WordPress site secure.
Remove Unwanted Files
Hackers are notorious for planting nasty bits of code in your WordPress core files. It’s critical to sift through these files meticulously, hunting for any anomalies or suspicious snippets of code. Spot something out of the ordinary? Get rid of it immediately! If the thought of delving into these files feels intimidating, don’t sweat it.
Consider enlisting the help of a seasoned professional to give your site a thorough sweep and ensure no trace of harmful code remains. This is like the final deep clean after a break-in – the aim is to get your WordPress house in perfect order, free of any unwelcome intruders.
Securing Your WordPress Site: Tips to Guard Against Future Attacks
Building a website demands significant time, money, and energy, and a single cyber-attack can potentially devastate all your hard work. However, there are certain steps you can take to make your WordPress website more secure.
- Firstly, enable two-factor authentication. This requires users to provide two separate forms of identification before logging in, making it harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
- Secondly, consider investing in a robust firewall solution and SSL certificate. A firewall will help protect your website against malicious attacks, while an SSL certificate encrypts data to ensure a secure connection.
- Finally, choose a reliable WordPress website maintenance company. They provide ongoing monitoring, regular backups, and quick response to security threats, along with updates, optimization, and troubleshooting services.
Remember, taking proactive steps to protect your website is crucial in today’s digital age. So, don’t wait for a disaster to strike, implement these security measures before it’s too late.
Conclusion
Recovering a hacked WordPress site can be a daunting and frustrating experience. However, with the right knowledge and tools, you can regain control of your website and prevent future attacks. By following the expert tips outlined in this blog, you can safely recover your hacked WordPress site and ensure that hackers do not win. Remember to take immediate action, assess the damage, strengthen security measures, and restore your website to its previous state.