How to Recognize If Your WordPress Website Has Been Hacked (And How to Get Help)
By addressing a hack swiftly, you can protect your users, your data, and your online reputation. Always stay proactive about security, and never hesitate to seek professional help when you need it.
WordPress powers millions of websites around the world, but like any popular platform, it can be an attractive target for hackers. If you’re a website owner, it’s essential to know the warning signs that your WordPress site has been compromised. The good news is that if you suspect your site has been hacked, professional help is readily available to restore it and protect it from future attacks. Here’s how to recognize the signs that your WordPress site has been hacked and what steps you can take to get it back on track.
1. Your Website Is Showing Strange or Unfamiliar Content
One of the most obvious signs that your WordPress site has been hacked is the sudden appearance of unfamiliar content. This might include:
- Malicious redirects: Visitors are redirected to unrelated or suspicious websites when they try to access your pages.
- Unwanted pop-ups or ads: You might see pop-ups or ads appearing on your website, even if you’ve never used this kind of advertising.
- Defaced pages: Some or all of your website’s pages may look altered, with text, images, or links added by the hacker.
If you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s time to investigate further, as these are typical tactics used by hackers to insert malicious content.
2. Your Website Is Running Slow or Crashing Frequently
If your WordPress website has become unusually slow or crashes without warning, this could indicate a hacking attempt. Hackers often overload a website’s server resources, causing it to perform poorly or even go offline.
While there are many reasons a website could slow down—such as server issues or high traffic—persistent performance issues combined with other signs of hacking warrant a deeper look. A hacker might be using your website for malicious purposes, like hosting malware or engaging in spamming activities.
3. Google or Other Search Engines Warn You About Malware
If Google detects malware on your website, they might flag it with a security warning. Users who try to visit your site may see messages like:
- “This site may harm your computer.”
- “This site is not secure.”
These warnings can severely damage your site’s credibility and trustworthiness, so it’s crucial to address the issue promptly. Google Search Console can provide more information about any security issues, so it’s a good idea to check there regularly for any notifications.
4. You’re Unable to Log In to Your WordPress Admin Dashboard
If you suddenly find that you can no longer log into your WordPress admin panel, it could be a sign that your login credentials have been compromised. Hackers often change the password or email address associated with an admin account to lock you out of your website. Alternatively, they may have added malicious users with admin privileges.
If you cannot access your admin area, try to reset your password through the “Lost Password” link. If that doesn’t work, or if you notice suspicious accounts or settings in your WordPress dashboard, professional help may be needed to regain control.
5. Suspicious User Accounts or Unusual Changes to Settings
Hackers may create new user accounts with administrative privileges to maintain access to your site. If you notice unfamiliar users or changes to your settings, it’s a clear red flag. Additionally, if your website’s files or content have been altered without your permission, this could indicate a breach.
Check the “Users” section in your WordPress dashboard for unfamiliar accounts. Also, review your settings (including your permalinks, plugins, and themes) to see if anything has changed.
6. Your Site Is Sending Out Spam Emails
If you suddenly start receiving complaints from your customers or email provider that your website is sending out spam emails, this is another sign of a potential hack. Many hackers use compromised WordPress sites to send spam emails, sometimes by exploiting vulnerable plugins or themes. These emails may include malware or phishing links.
If your website is flagged for sending out spam, it could lead to your domain being blacklisted, impacting your email deliverability and reputation.
7. Unusual or Unknown Files in Your WordPress Installation
Hackers often upload malicious files to your WordPress installation to maintain access or distribute malware. To identify if your site has been compromised, regularly monitor the files in your WordPress root directory (public_html or www). Files such as “shell.php” or other unfamiliar PHP files are often used by hackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
If you notice unfamiliar files or code that doesn’t belong, or if you see changes in file permissions, it’s critical to take action.
8. Your Search Engine Rankings Have Dropped Dramatically
A sudden drop in search engine rankings can also signal a hack, especially if malicious content has been added to your site. Google penalizes websites that host harmful content, and a hacked site may be flagged for spreading malware, engaging in spam, or violating Google’s guidelines.
If you notice that your traffic has significantly decreased, check your website for signs of hacking or unusual content. Google Search Console can be an invaluable tool for identifying issues that could be affecting your rankings.
What to Do If You Suspect Your Site Has Been Hacked
If you recognize any of the above signs, it’s essential to act quickly. Here are some steps you can take:
- Backup Your Site Immediately: If you still have access to your website, make sure to back it up before making any changes. This can help prevent further damage or loss of data.
- Contact Your Web Hosting Provider: Reach out to your hosting provider for help. They may be able to restore your website from a backup or assist in identifying any security issues.
- Change All Passwords: Reset all passwords associated with your WordPress website—admin, FTP, and hosting passwords. Make sure they are strong and unique.
- Restore from Backup: If you have a clean backup of your website, you can restore it to a previous, secure version.
- Run Security Scans: Use security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to scan your website for malware and vulnerabilities. These tools can help identify suspicious files and fix any issues.
When to Call in Professional Help
If you’re unable to resolve the issue on your own, or if the hack is more severe than you anticipated, it’s time to call in a professional. WordPress security experts specialize in recovering hacked websites and implementing measures to prevent future attacks. Here’s how a professional can help:
- Site Recovery: A security expert can clean up your website, removing any malware or backdoors and restoring it to a secure state.
- Security Audit: They will conduct a thorough security audit to identify any vulnerabilities and fix them, including outdated plugins or weak passwords.
- Ongoing Protection: After cleaning the site, a professional can install security measures such as firewalls, malware scanners, and regular backups to keep your site secure going forward.
Conclusion
WordPress hacks can be scary, but they don’t have to be the end of your website. Recognizing the signs of a compromised site early is essential to minimizing damage. If you suspect your website has been hacked, professional help is readily available to help you recover your site, remove malicious code, and put stronger security measures in place.
Don’t wait for the damage to escalate—if you notice any of the warning signs mentioned above, reach out to a professional WordPress security expert today. They can provide the expertise and support you need to get your website back online safely and securely.