Introduction
Discovering that your website has been hacked can be overwhelming. Whether it’s defacement, malware injection, or a data breach, swift action is crucial to minimize damage. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step recovery process to help you regain control, secure your site, and prevent future attacks.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Damage
First things first—don’t panic. Begin by identifying the type and extent of the hack.
- Look for:
Unusual redirects or pop-ups - Defaced pages
- Suspicious new admin users
- A sudden drop in traffic or SEO ranking
- Security alerts from your hosting provider or Google
Step 2: Take Your Website Offline
To prevent further damage or data theft, take your website temporarily offline. Most hosting panels like cPanel or Plesk allow you to disable access or place the site in maintenance mode.
This step protects your users and buys you time to work on recovery without public scrutiny.
Step 3: Scan for Malware and Remove It
Use trusted malware scanners to detect infected files and malicious scripts.
Recommended Tools:
• Wordfence (for WordPress)
•Sucuri SiteCheck
• MalCare
• VirusTotal (for file scanning)
Manually inspect core files and theme/plugin folders for suspicious code like base64, eval(), or iframe injections.
Step 4: Restore from a Clean Backup (If Available)
If you have a recent, clean backup, restore your website to that state.
Things to check before restoring:
• Backup date (preferably before the hack occurred)
• Backup includes database and file system
• No compromised plugins/themes were backed up
If you don’t have a backup, skip to the next step.
Step 5: Identify and Close the Security Vulnerability
Understanding how the hacker got in is key to preventing future attacks.
Common Entry Points:
• Outdated CMS, plugins, or themes
• Weak admin passwords
• Unsecured forms or file uploads
• Vulnerable third-party scripts
Update all CMS files, themes, plugins, and server software immediately.
Step 6: Change All Passwords & Credentials
Change every password associated with your website, including:
• CMS admin and users
• FTP/SFTP
• Database
• Hosting account
• Email accounts linked to the site
Use strong, unique passwords and consider enabling 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).
Step 7: Submit Site for Reconsideration (If Blacklisted)
If your site has been blacklisted by Google or flagged as malicious:
- Fix all security issues
- Verify your site in Google Search Console
- Submit a Reconsideration Request
This helps restore your site’s visibility in search engines.
Step 8: Monitor and Harden Website Security
Once recovered, harden your website to avoid repeat attacks.
- Best Practices:
Install a website firewall - Use security plugins (Wordfence, iThemes, Sucuri)
- Enable daily backups
- Regularly monitor file changes and login attempts
- Disable unnecessary plugins, scripts, or user accounts
Need Professional Help?
Recovering from a hack can be time-consuming and risky if not handled correctly. At Synergistix Studio, we specialize in website recovery, malware removal, and long-term security hardening for WordPress, Shopify, Joomla, and custom PHP/JS sites.
Reach out at: info@synergistixstudio.com
Learn more: SynergistixStudio.com
Get Support: Contact Page
Conclusion
A hacked website doesn’t have to mean the end. With the right steps and expert guidance, you can regain control, protect your data, and restore your site stronger than before. Follow this guide to clean your site thoroughly and build a defense system that hackers can’t easily break through.