Discovering that your website has been hacked is never a good feeling, but the steps you take next is what matters most. By staying calm and following the tips below, you can minimize damage and restore your website’s functionality and security.
Below are expert tips on what to do if your website is hacked, helping you recover and prevent future security breaches.
Isolate and Quarantine Your Website
The moment you suspect your website has been hacked, take it offline immediately. This prevents further damage and protects your visitors from potential security risks. Contact your hosting provider and inform them of the situation. They can help you take your website offline or guide you on how to do it securely.
Scan Your Website for Malware
Use a reliable website security scanner or plugin to scan your website thoroughly for malware and malicious code. Identify infected files and remove them immediately. Many security plugins offer malware scanning features and can help you identify and clean compromised files.
Change All Passwords
Change the passwords for all accounts associated with your website, including hosting, FTP, database, CMS and any other administrative accounts. Pick passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters – and avoid using common words or phrases.
Restore From a Clean Backup
If you have a recent clean backup of your website, restore your website from that backup. This ensures that you’re starting from a secure point without any malicious code. Make sure to scan the backup files for malware before restoring to prevent reinfection.
Update All Software
Ensure that your CMS, themes, plugins and all other software are up-to-date. Developers often release updates to patch security vulnerabilities. By keeping your software current, you reduce the risk of future hacks.
Harden Your Website Security
Implement security best practices to strengthen your website’s defenses. This includes using a reliable security plugin, enabling a web application firewall (WAF), configuring strong security settings and limiting login attempts. Regularly monitor user accounts and remove any suspicious or unused accounts. Now that you’ve been hacked, you’ll need to enhance your security.
Seek Professional Help if Necessary
If you’re unsure about handling the cleanup and restoration process, reach out for help from a web developer experienced in security. They can thoroughly clean your website, implement advanced security measures and provide guidance to prevent future attacks. It’s worth every penny!
Protect Your Business with Website Management Services
Experiencing a website hack is undoubtedly stressful, but with prompt action and the right strategies, you can recover your website and enhance its security. Remember, vigilance is key.
Magna Technology is a full-service website development, management and consulting company that will take complete care of your website! Our white-glove services include 24-hour monitoring, regular backups, regular updates and more.
We are also prepared to respond and are often the first to spot discrepancies or malfunctions on your site. To learn more about our services and pricing, contact Magna Technology today.
