What to do when your website gets hacked?

If you’re reading this, then it’s very likely you have a hacked or defaced website and need a quick solution. You’re in the right place! We’ve owned web-hosting companies since 2011 and one recurring issue you have to solve in that industry is that of hacked websites!

Website hacking is the act of exploiting vulnerabilities in a website’s security to gain unauthorized access or cause damage to the site. Hackers may use various methods to hack websites, including brute force attacks, SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and others.

There are many reasons why hackers hack websites. Some do it for financial gain, while others do it for fun, activism, or revenge. Some hackers may steal sensitive information, install malware, deface the website, or use it to launch attacks on other websites.

As a website owner, it’s crucial to know what to do when your website gets hacked. A hacked website can damage your reputation, result in data loss, and negatively impact your business. By knowing what steps to take, you can quickly resolve the issue and minimize the damage.

In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:

1. Signs that your website has been hacked
2. What to do when you suspect your website has been hacked
3. How to clean up a hacked website
4. How to secure your website after a hack
5. Preventing future hacks

By following these steps, you can recover your hacked website, secure it, and prevent future attacks. Let’s get started!

Signs that your website has been hacked

There are several signs that indicate that a website has been hacked. Here are some of the most common signs:

1. Changes in website content: One of the most obvious signs of a hack is changes in your website’s content. This can include new pages or content that you didn’t add or modifications to existing pages.
2. Slow website performance: If your website is suddenly slow or unresponsive, it could be a sign that it’s been hacked. Hackers may use your website to launch attacks on other sites or to send spam, which can slow down your website’s performance.
3. Suspicious outgoing traffic: If your website is sending out a large amount of traffic to suspicious or unknown domains, it could be a sign that your website has been hacked.
4. Unusual login activity: If you notice that there are login attempts from unfamiliar IP addresses, it could be a sign that your website has been compromised.
5. Unexpected software updates: If you notice unexpected software updates on your website or if you’re prompted to install new software, it could be a sign that your website has been hacked.
6. Google warning: If Google issues a warning that your website may have been hacked or compromised, it’s important to take it seriously and investigate the issue.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take immediate action to investigate and resolve the issue. Hackers can cause significant damage to your website, so it’s crucial to act quickly.

What to do when you suspect your website has been hacked

If you suspect that your website has been hacked, don’t panic. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do:

1. Take your website offline: The first thing you should do is take your website offline. This will prevent further damage and give you time to investigate and fix the problem. You can do this by disabling your website or putting up a “maintenance” page. Disabling the website entirely (you can have your host suspend it) works better since even with a maintenance page, spam can still be sent in the background or scam subdomains would still be active.
2. Scan your computer for malware: If you suspect that your website has been hacked, it’s important to scan your computer for malware. Hackers may have installed malware on your computer, which could be used to compromise your website again.
3. Change your passwords: Change all the passwords associated with your website, including your CMS, FTP, and hosting account. Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess.
4. Backup your website: Before making any changes, make sure to back up your website. This will ensure that you can restore your website if anything goes wrong during the cleanup process.
5. Investigate the issue: Try to identify the source of the hack. Check your website’s files and database for any suspicious content or changes. Look for any new or modified files, and check the access logs for any suspicious activity – you can contact a professional hack removal company to do this for you.
6. Clean up your website: Once you’ve identified the source of the hack, you need to clean up your website. This can involve removing malicious files, fixing any vulnerabilities, and restoring your website to its previous state.
7. Secure your website: Once your website is clean, you need to secure it to prevent future attacks. This can involve updating your software, installing security plugins, and using strong passwords.

Tips to minimize the damage and prevent further damage:

1. Act quickly: The longer you wait, the more damage the hacker can cause. It’s important to act quickly and take immediate action.
2. Keep your software updated: Make sure to keep your software updated, including your CMS, plugins, and themes. This will help to prevent vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
3. Use strong passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all your website accounts, and change them regularly.
4. Backup your website regularly: Regular backups can help you quickly restore your website in case of a hack or other issues.

By following these steps, you can quickly resolve the issue and prevent further damage. Remember to always keep your website secure to prevent future hacks.

How to clean up a hacked website

Cleaning up a hacked website can be a challenging process, but it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean up a hacked website:

1. Take your website offline: The first step in cleaning up a hacked website is to take it offline. This will prevent further damage and give you time to investigate and fix the problem.
2. Scan your website: Use a website scanner or malware scanner to scan your website for any malware or malicious software. This will help you to identify the source of the hack and the extent of the damage.
3. Remove malicious files: Once you’ve identified any malicious files, delete them from your website. Make sure to check all directories, including hidden directories.
4. Update your software: Make sure to update all software associated with your website, including your CMS, plugins, and themes. This will help to prevent future hacks.
5. Change your passwords: Change all the passwords associated with your website, including your CMS, FTP, and hosting account. Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess.
6. Restore from backups: If you have a recent backup of your website, you can restore your website to its previous state. This can help you to recover your website data and get your website back online quickly. Please note if there is any backdoor in the backup the hack would happen again.
7. Remove any backdoors: Hackers may have installed backdoors to maintain access to your website. Make sure to remove any backdoors to prevent future attacks.

Tips on how to recover your website data:

1. Check your backups: If you have backups of your website, you can use them to recover your data. Make sure to check the backups for any signs of malware or other issues before restoring them.
2. Use a data recovery tool: If you don’t have backups, you can use a data recovery tool to recover your website data. These tools can scan your website for deleted files and recover them.
3. Contact your hosting provider: Your hosting provider may be able to help you recover your website data. Make sure to contact them as soon as possible to see what options are available.

By following these steps, you can clean up your hacked website and recover your data. Remember to always keep your website secure to prevent future hacks.

How to secure your website after a hack

Securing your website after a hack is crucial to prevent future attacks. Here are some tips on how to secure your website after a hack:

1. Update all software: Make sure to update all software associated with your website, including your CMS, plugins, and themes. Updates often contain security patches that address known vulnerabilities.
2. Use strong passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts associated with your website, including your CMS, FTP, and hosting account. Use a password manager to create and store your passwords securely.
3. Use SSL encryption: Make sure to use SSL encryption on your website. This encrypts all data sent between your website and users, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept and steal data.
4. Install security plugins: Consider installing security plugins or extensions on your website to provide additional layers of security. These plugins can help to detect and prevent hacks and malware.
5. Limit access: Limit access to your website by only giving access to trusted individuals. Remove any unused accounts and change all passwords regularly.
6. Monitor your website: Monitor your website regularly for any signs of a hack. Use website scanners or malware scanners to scan your website for any malicious software or vulnerabilities.
7. Backup your website: Backup your website regularly to a secure location. This will help you to recover your website in the event of a hack or other disaster.

By following these tips, you can secure your website and prevent future hacks. Remember to always stay vigilant and monitor your website for any signs of a hack or vulnerability.