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January 15, 2026

How to Fix a Hacked Website: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Imagine the gut-wrenching feeling. You try to access your website, the digital cornerstone of your business, your passion project, or your personal brand, and it’s… gone. Or worse, it’s defaced with malicious content, redirecting visitors to spam sites, or displaying a terrifying “”This site may be hacked”” warning from Google.

Panic sets in. Your heart pounds. A million questions race through your mind: “”What happened?”” “”How do I fix this?”” “”Will I lose everything?””

Take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and your situation is not irreversible. A hacked website is a nightmare, but it’s a fixable nightmare. With a calm, methodical approach, you can recover your site, restore your reputation, and fortify your defenses against future attacks.

This comprehensive guide is designed to be your lifeline. We’ll walk you through every critical step, from the immediate aftermath of discovery to the meticulous cleaning process and, finally, to the crucial hardening measures that prevent a repeat performance. Whether you’re a seasoned webmaster or completely new to the world of website security, this detailed roadmap will empower you to regain control.

Let’s get your website back on its feet, stronger than ever.

Understanding the Attack: What Happened and Why It Matters

Before we dive into the “”how-to,”” it’s important to grasp the nature of a website hack. It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a security breach with serious implications.

Signs Your Website Has Been Hacked

Sometimes the signs are glaring, other times they’re subtle. Here’s what to look for:

Defacement: Your homepage or other pages display unauthorized content, images, or messages.
Malware Warnings: Visitors see a “”This site may be hacked”” or “”Deceptive site ahead”” warning from Google or other browsers.
Spam Content/Links: New, unauthorized pages or links filled with spammy content appear on your site.
Unexpected Redirects: Your visitors are automatically sent to other websites without their consent.
Login Issues: You can’t log into your admin panel, or your passwords have been changed.
New Users: Unauthorized user accounts (especially admin accounts) appear in your CMS.
Unusual Traffic Spikes: Analytics show abnormal traffic from strange locations or to obscure pages.
Slow Performance: Your website loads exceptionally slowly due to malicious scripts or resource drain.
Email Spam: Your hosting server is sending out large volumes of spam emails.
Missing Files/Content: Parts of your website are suddenly missing or corrupted.

Common Attack Vectors: How Hackers Get In

Understanding the typical entry points can help in diagnosis and prevention:

Weak Passwords: Brute-force attacks or compromised passwords are still a leading cause.
Outdated Software: Unpatched vulnerabilities in your CMS (like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal), themes, or plugins are hacker goldmines.
Malicious Plugins/Themes: Downloaded from unofficial sources, these often contain backdoors.
SQL Injection: Attackers manipulate database queries to gain unauthorized access or extract data.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts are injected into your website, affecting users.
File Upload Vulnerabilities: Weak security on file upload forms allows attackers to upload malicious scripts.
Phishing: You or an employee might have unknowingly given away credentials.
Server Vulnerabilities: Less common, but sometimes the hosting environment itself can have exploitable flaws.

Why Immediate Action is Critical

Every minute your site remains compromised, the damage grows:

Reputational Damage: Visitors lose trust, and your brand’s credibility plummets.
SEO Penalties: Search engines will de-index your site or display warnings, obliterating your organic traffic.
Data Breach: Customer data (emails, passwords, financial info) could be stolen, leading to legal and financial repercussions.
Blacklisting: Your site could be blacklisted by security vendors and email providers.
Spread of Malware: Your website could become a vector for spreading malware to your visitors.
Resource Drain: Malicious scripts can consume massive server resources, potentially leading to suspension by your host.

The clock is ticking, but you have the power to stop it. Let’s move into recovery mode.

Phase 1: Emergency Response & Assessment (Stop the Bleeding!)

The first few hours after discovering a hack are crucial. Your primary goal is to contain the damage and gather information.

Step 1: Don’t Panic – Act Systematically

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but panic leads to mistakes. Take a deep breath. You have a plan now.

Step 2: Isolate Your Website (Take it Offline)

This is the most critical immediate step. You need to prevent further damage, stop malware from spreading, and protect your visitors.

Change DNS to a local IP (Recommended): The cleanest way to take your site offline without touching the server. Point your domain’s A record (or CNAME) to an IP address that serves a simple “”Under Maintenance”” page, or even a blank page. You can often do this through your domain registrar or DNS management service. This keeps your server accessible to you via IP address for cleaning but stops public access.
Display a “”Maintenance Mode”” Page: If you’re on WordPress, many plugins allow this. However, if the hack prevents you from accessing your admin, this might not be possible.
Temporarily Block All Traffic (via .htaccess): Add rules to your .htaccess file to deny access to everyone except your own IP address. Be very careful with this, as errors can make your site inaccessible even to you. (Example: Order Deny,Allow Deny from all Allow from XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX – replace XXX with your IP).
Disable the Website in Your Hosting Panel: Many hosts offer a one-click option to temporarily disable a domain or website.

Why not just shut down the server? You need the server running to perform the cleaning. Isolating means keeping it accessible to you, but not to the public or the hacker.

Step 3: Notify Your Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider is a key ally. Contact their support immediately.

They can confirm if the server itself is compromised (less common, but possible).
They might be able to provide recent backups (though a clean one might be hard to guarantee without their security insight).
They can help identify malicious activity logs.
They may even offer specific malware removal services.

Be prepared to provide them with details: when you noticed the hack, what symptoms you’re seeing, and what steps you’ve already taken.

Step 4: Change ALL Critical Passwords

Assume every password associated with your website has been compromised. Change them immediately, starting with the most critical:

Hosting Account: This is your master key.
CMS Admin: (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) Change *all* admin passwords. Delete any suspicious new admin accounts.
Database: Change the password for your database user. (You’ll need to update your website’s configuration file, e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress, with the new password).
FTP/SFTP Accounts: If you use them.
SSH Access: If you have SSH.
Email Accounts: Especially those associated with your website admin.
Domain Registrar: Though not directly related to the website files, a compromised registrar could lead to your domain being stolen or redirected.

Use strong, unique passwords for each service, ideally generated by a password manager.

Step 5: Assess the Damage and Identify the Type of Hack

While isolating the site, try to understand the nature of the attack. This will guide your cleaning process.

Check Your Website’s Public Face (if accessible to you): What are visitors seeing? Defacement? Redirects?
Examine Your Files (via FTP/SFTP/File Manager):
- Look for recently modified files you didn’t touch.
- Look for unfamiliar files in core directories (e.g., in WordPress root, wp-content, wp-includes).
- Check common entry points like index.php, wp-config.php, .htaccess, header.php, footer.php for malicious code.
- Look for odd file names or folders.
Check Your Database (via phpMyAdmin):
- Are there new admin users you didn’t create?
- Are there strange entries in posts, pages, or options tables? (Common for spam injection).
Review Server Logs: Your hosting provider can help with this. Look for unusual login attempts, requests to suspicious files, or heavy resource usage.

This initial assessment will help you determine the scope of the problem.

Phase 2: Cleaning & Recovery (The Surgical Strike)

This is where you systematically remove the malicious code and restore your website to its original, clean state.

Step 6: Backup Your Hacked Website (Yes, Really!)

Before you start deleting or changing anything, make a complete backup of your current, compromised website. This sounds counterintuitive, but it serves a few purposes:

Forensics: If you need to hire a security expert later, they’ll need the compromised version to analyze the attack.
Reversion Point: If you accidentally delete something critical during cleanup, you can always revert to this state (though you’ll have to reclean).

Backup everything: files, folders, and your database. Store this backup securely off your server.

Step 7: Choose Your Recovery Method: Restore from Backup vs. Manual Cleanup

This is a critical decision.

Option A: Restore from a Clean Backup (The Ideal Scenario)

If you have a recent, clean backup of your website from before the hack occurred, this is generally the fastest and safest method.

Verify Backup Integrity: Ensure the backup is truly clean. How? If you have multiple backups, pick the oldest one that you know worked and then progressively test newer ones. If you’re unsure, you’ll need to inspect its contents for malware.
Wipe Your Server Clean: Completely delete all files and databases from your current hacked website. This is crucial to ensure no hidden malicious files remain.
Upload the Clean Backup: Restore your website files and database from the clean backup.
Update Database Credentials: If you changed your database password in Step 4, remember to update your website’s configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php) with the new credentials.
Immediate Hardening: As soon as the clean site is back up, proceed immediately to Phase 3: Hardening & Prevention. The vulnerability that led to the hack might still be present in your restored backup.

Option B: Manual Cleanup (When No Clean Backup Exists)

This is more complex and time-consuming but entirely doable. It requires patience and attention to detail.

Scan Your Entire Website with Security Tools:
- Server-Side Scanners: Use tools like ClamAV (if available on your host), Maldet, or commercial options like Sucuri SiteCheck, Wordfence (for WordPress), or Imunify360 (often offered by hosts). Run full scans on all files.
- Local Scanners: Download your entire website to your local computer and scan it with reputable antivirus software.
- Google Search Console: Check the “”Security Issues”” report for specific warnings or detected malware.
These scanners will help identify malicious files and code. Don’t rely solely on automated tools; they can miss cleverly hidden malware.
Identify and Replace Core Files:
- CMS Core Files: For WordPress, download a fresh copy of your exact WordPress version from WordPress.org. Delete all core WordPress files (except wp-content and wp-config.php) from your hacked site. Then, upload the fresh core files. This ensures your core installation is clean.
- Theme Files: Download fresh copies of your active theme and any parent themes from their official sources. Compare them with your current theme files. Look for unfamiliar code, especially in functions.php, header.php, footer.php, and template files. Replace compromised theme files with clean versions.
- Plugin Files: Download fresh copies of all your active plugins from their official repositories. Delete and reinstall each plugin. This is critical as plugins are a common entry point for hackers.
Examine and Clean wp-config.php (or equivalent config files):
- This file contains critical database connection details. Ensure the database name, username, and *new* password are correct.
- Look for any unfamiliar code or suspicious entries. Hackers often add malicious code here.
Clean the wp-content Directory (WordPress Specific):
- Uploads Folder: This is a common place for hackers to hide malicious scripts disguised as images or other files. Look for PHP files (e.g., .php, .phtml) or suspicious .htaccess files within your uploads directory. Delete anything that doesn’t belong.
- Themes and Plugins Folders: As mentioned, replace these with fresh versions.
- Any Other Folders: Check for unfamiliar directories or files that don’t belong.
Review and Clean Your Database:
- Access your database via phpMyAdmin.
- Check for New Admin Users: In WordPress, look at the wp_users table. Delete any unauthorized admin users.
- Examine wp_options Table: Look for suspicious entries like new site URLs (redirects), unexpected cron jobs, or anything that doesn’t look like a legitimate option.
- Scan Post/Page Content: Malicious code or spam links can be injected directly into your post content. Search for common spam keywords, external URLs you don’t recognize, or script tags (<script>) within your posts and pages.
- Look for Obfuscated Code: Be wary of long strings of seemingly random characters often starting with eval(base64_decode()) or similar.
Inspect and Clean .htaccess Files:
- Hackers frequently inject malicious redirect rules or backdoor access points into .htaccess files (often found in the root directory, but can be in subdirectories).
- Backup your existing .htaccess.
- Replace it with a clean, default version for your CMS (e.g., WordPress default .htaccess).
- Carefully re-add any legitimate custom redirects or rules you had, inspecting each line.
Remove Any Backdoors:
- Hackers often leave “”backdoors”” – hidden scripts that allow them to regain access even after you’ve cleaned the main infection.
- Common backdoor files include shell.php, r57.php, c99.php, or files named deceptively (e.g., cache.php, wp-temp.php).
- Look for files that have been recently modified but aren’t core CMS files.
- Check for suspicious cron jobs via your hosting control panel.
Run Scans Again: After the manual cleanup, run your server-side security scanners one more time to catch anything you might have missed.

Phase 3: Hardening & Prevention (Building a Fortress)

Cleaning is only half the battle. Without fortifying your defenses, you’re leaving the door open for another attack.

Step 8: Update EVERYTHING

This is non-negotiable. Outdated software is the #1 vulnerability.

CMS Core: Update WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc., to the latest version.
Themes: Update all themes, even inactive ones (or better yet, delete inactive ones).
Plugins/Extensions: Update all plugins/extensions. Delete any that are inactive, unneeded, or from untrusted sources.

Set up automatic updates where possible, but always monitor them.

Step 9: Implement Strong Password Policies

Enforce Complexity: Require long, complex passwords (12+ characters, mix of upper/lower/numbers/symbols).
Use a Password Manager: Encourage yourself and any team members to use one.
Unique Passwords: Never reuse passwords across different services.

Step 10: Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF (e.g., Cloudflare, Sucuri, Wordfence Premium) acts as a shield between your website and potential attackers. It filters malicious traffic before it even reaches your server, blocking common attack patterns.

Step 11: Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

For your hosting account, CMS admin panel, and any critical services. 2FA adds an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password.

Step 12: Secure Your File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can allow hackers to modify or upload files.

Files: Generally, permissions should be 644.
Folders: Generally, permissions should be 755.
wp-config.php: Should be 600 or 400 for maximum security.

Consult your CMS documentation for specific recommendations.

Step 13: Regularly Backup Your Website (Automated & Offsite)

Make backups a habit, not a chore.

Automated Backups: Use your host’s backup service, a dedicated plugin, or a third-party service.
Offsite Storage: Store backups in a separate location (cloud storage, another server) so they’re safe even if your main server is compromised.
Test Backups: Periodically test restoring a backup to ensure it works.

Step 14: Monitor Your Website Security

Stay vigilant.

Security Plugins: Keep an active security plugin (like Wordfence, Sucuri) running scans and monitoring file changes.
Uptime Monitoring: Services like UptimeRobot can alert you if your site goes down unexpectedly.
Google Search Console: Regularly check the “”Security Issues”” and “”Manual Actions”” sections.
Audit Logs: Review your server and CMS logs for suspicious activity.

Step 15: Restrict Access

Limit Login Attempts: Use plugins or server rules to block IPs after multiple failed login attempts.
Block IPs: If you identify specific malicious IP addresses, block them via your .htaccess file or WAF.
Disable File Editing: For WordPress, add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to your wp-config.php to prevent editing theme/plugin files from the admin panel (this is an extra layer if an admin account is compromised).
Rename Admin Login URL: (WordPress specific) Change the default wp-admin or wp-login.php URLs to a custom one to deter brute-force attacks.

Phase 4: Post-Recovery & Reputation Management (Getting Back to Normal)

You’ve cleaned and hardened your site. Now it’s time to ensure everything is back to normal and your reputation is restored.

Step 16: Verify with Search Engines and Security Services

Google Search Console: Go to the “”Security Issues”” report. If Google flagged your site, you’ll see a “”Request a review”” button once you believe the site is clean. Submit the review, explaining the steps you took. Be patient; this can take a few days.
Check Other Blacklists: Use tools like MXToolbox or Sucuri SiteCheck to see if your domain is on any other blacklists.

Step 17: Communicate with Your Users (If Necessary)

If sensitive user data was compromised, or your site was defaced for an extended period, you have a responsibility to inform your users. Be transparent about what happened, what data might have been affected, and what steps you’ve taken to secure their information.

Step 18: Monitor for Re-infection

The battle isn’t over just because you’ve cleaned your site. Hackers often try to regain access. Keep your monitoring tools active, run regular scans, and pay attention to any unusual activity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Website Recovery

Even with a detailed guide, it’s easy to make missteps when you’re under pressure. Here are critical errors to steer clear of:

Panicking and Rushing the Process: Hasty actions often lead to incomplete cleanup, leaving backdoors open, or accidentally deleting legitimate files. Take your time, follow the steps.
Not Isolating the Website: Leaving a compromised site online allows the hacker to continue their activities, spread malware, and further damage your reputation and SEO.
Failing to Change ALL Passwords: Changing only one or two passwords is like locking the front door but leaving all the windows open. Assume all credentials are compromised.
Only Deleting Obvious Malware: Hackers are clever. They hide files in obscure directories and inject snippets of code into legitimate files. A superficial cleanup guarantees re-infection.
Not Updating Your Website After Cleanup: If you restore from an old backup or clean a site with outdated software, the original vulnerability that led to the hack might still exist. You’re just waiting for the next attack.
Ignoring Google Search Console Warnings: Google’s warnings are there for a reason. Failure to address them promptly can lead to severe SEO penalties and complete de-indexing.
Not Backing Up the Hacked Site: While counterintuitive, this backup can be crucial for expert analysis or if you need to revert changes.
Neglecting Security Post-Recovery: Believing “”it won’t happen again”” is a dangerous mindset. Continuous vigilance, updates, and security measures are essential.
Not Checking Your Database: Malware isn’t just in files; it can also be injected directly into your database, manifesting as spam, malicious redirects, or new admin users.
Trusting Compromised Backups: Restoring from a backup that was already infected will simply bring the problem back. Always verify your backup’s integrity.

By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can navigate the recovery process more effectively and ensure a thorough, lasting fix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hacked Websites

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have when dealing with a hacked website:

1. How long does it take to fix a hacked website?

The time required varies greatly depending on the severity and complexity of the hack, your level of technical expertise, and whether you have clean backups. A simple hack with a clean backup might take a few hours. A deep, persistent infection requiring manual cleanup could take days or even weeks. Enlisting a professional security service can often expedite the process significantly.

2. Will I lose my SEO ranking and traffic after a hack?

Potentially, yes. Google and other search engines will often flag hacked sites with warnings, which severely deters users and can lead to immediate drops in search rankings and traffic. If left unaddressed, your site could be de-indexed entirely. However, if you act quickly, clean your site thoroughly, and submit a review to Google Search Console, your rankings can often recover over time.

3. Should I pay the hacker’s ransom?

No, almost universally, you should not pay a hacker’s ransom. There is no guarantee they will restore your site or delete stolen data, and it only encourages further attacks. Focus on recovery and security instead.

4. Can I fix a hacked website myself, or should I hire an expert?

Many common hacks can be fixed by following a detailed guide like this, especially if you have good backups and are comfortable with file management and database tools. However, complex or persistent hacks, or if you lack technical confidence, are best handled by professional website security services (like Sucuri, Wordfence, or specialized freelance experts). They have advanced tools and expertise to identify and remove even the most stubborn malware and backdoors.

5. How can I prevent future website hacks?

Prevention is key! Regular software updates (CMS, themes, plugins), strong unique passwords, implementing two-factor authentication, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF), regular backups, monitoring security logs, and using a reputable hosting provider are all crucial preventative measures. Never use nulled themes or plugins, and educate any users with website access about security best practices.

6. What if my hosting provider can’t help with the cleanup?

While many hosting providers offer some level of support, their primary responsibility is the server environment, not your specific website application (like WordPress). If they can’t assist directly, you’ll need to either follow a manual cleanup guide like this one, or hire a dedicated website security expert or agency to perform the cleanup for you. Don’t simply abandon the site; get professional help.

7. What are the signs of a successful cleanup?

A successful cleanup means: all malware warnings are gone (from browsers and Google Search Console), your website functions normally, all malicious files and database entries have been removed, all backdoors are closed, your site is no longer redirecting or sending spam, and all your software is up-to-date and secured. Importantly, you should also have implemented hardening measures to prevent future attacks.

Conclusion: From Chaos to Control

Discovering your website has been hacked is a chilling experience, a sudden jolt into the harsh realities of the digital world. But as you’ve seen, it’s not a death sentence for your online presence. With a structured approach, a bit of technical courage, and unwavering diligence, you can not only fix the damage but also emerge with a website that’s more secure and resilient than before.

This guide has walked you through the crucial phases: the emergency response to contain the threat, the meticulous cleaning to eradicate the infection, and the vital hardening measures to prevent future breaches. Remember, the journey from “”hacked”” to “”healed”” is a process that demands patience and precision. Don’t cut corners, especially in the hardening phase, as this is your best defense against repeat attacks.

Your website is a valuable asset. By taking these steps, you’re not just fixing code; you’re rebuilding trust, safeguarding your data, and ensuring your digital home is a safe and welcoming place for all your visitors. Stay vigilant, keep learning, and rest assured that with the right approach, you can navigate the complexities of website security and keep your online presence thriving.