Waking up to find your WordPress website hacked is a nightmare for any website owner. Pages may redirect, strange files appear, or worse—Google may flag your site as dangerous.
But here’s the good news: you can restore a hacked WordPress site and protect it from future threats with the right strategy.
At nichesteps.com, we’ve helped dozens of site owners recover from malware, phishing, and brute-force attacks. In this WordPress security guide, we’ll walk you through everything—from identifying the hack to restoring your site safely and securing your blog it for good.
You’ll learn:
Let’s take control and restore your peace of mind.
Signs Your WordPress Site Has Been Hacked
Not every hack is obvious. Here are clear signs something’s wrong:
- You’re locked out of your admin panel
- Your site redirects to another domain
- Strange users appear in your admin area
- Unexpected pop-ups or ads on your site
- Google flags your site as unsafe (red warning page)
- Search results show strange titles or descriptions
- New files in your wp-content or root directory
Immediate Steps to Take After Discovering a Hack
- Disconnect Immediately
- Put your site in maintenance mode using your hosting panel
- Prevent further data loss or malware spread
- Change All Passwords
- Change passwords for WordPress, cPanel, FTP, database, and email accounts
- Notify Your Hosting Provider
- Ask for a malware scan and help restoring backups
- Check Backups
- Identify the last clean backup before the hack occurred
- Download a Copy of Your Site
- You may need forensic review or future analysis
How to Clean and Restore Your WordPress Site (Step-by-Step)
| Stage | Tools/Methods | Action Items |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Backup | cPanel / UpdraftPlus | Backup current files & database |
| Step 2: Scan Files | Wordfence, Sucuri, MalCare | Detect infected files, unauthorized changes |
| Step 3: Remove Malware | Sucuri SiteCheck, manual deletion | Delete malicious files & scripts, remove unknown users |
| Step 4: Restore | UpdraftPlus, Jetpack Backup, Host backups | Restore clean version if available |
| Step 5: Reinstall Core | WordPress dashboard / FTP | Replace core files (wp-admin, wp-includes) |
| Step 6: Change Secrets | wp-config.php, SALT keys | Regenerate secret keys and change all credentials |
| Step 7: Submit to Google | Search Console | Request security review to remove warnings |
Bonus Tools:
- Wordfence
- Sucuri Security ( malware removal WordPress plugin )
- iThemes Security
- Patchstack
Read : Essential Settings to Configure Right After Installing WordPress
Pro Tips for Securing Your Site Long-Term
- Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) like Cloudflare or Sucuri
- Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated
- Install login protection (limit login attempts, CAPTCHA)
- Remove unused plugins and themes
- Change login URL (use WPS Hide Login)
- Enable 2FA for all admin users
- Regularly back up your site to offsite storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
DIY WordPress Security Checklist
- Use strong passwords for all accounts
- Limit admin users to trusted individuals
- Install security plugin (Wordfence/Sucuri)
- Update all plugins and themes regularly
- Schedule automatic daily backups
- Monitor site activity with audit logs (WP Activity Log)
- Enable HTTPS with free SSL from your host or Let’s Encrypt
- Run monthly malware scans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How did my WordPress site get hacked?
A: Common causes include outdated plugins, weak passwords, or infected themes.
Q2: Should I delete everything and start fresh?
A: Only as a last resort. Most hacks can be cleaned with backups or tools.
Q3: Can a hacked site hurt my SEO?
A: Yes. Google may blacklist your site, removing it from search results.
Q4: What’s the best plugin to clean malware?
A: Sucuri and Wordfence both offer effective malware detection and removal.
Q5: Will my customers’ data be compromised?
A: If personal data was collected, yes. Inform users and review compliance laws.
Q6: Is free hosting safe for WordPress?
A: Generally no. Free hosting lacks security and server-level protection.
Q7: How often should I back up my site?
A: Daily backups are ideal for dynamic or high-traffic sites.
Q8: How can I tell if a plugin is safe?
A: Check the last update date, user reviews, and compatibility in the repo.
Q9: Can I prevent brute-force attacks?
A: Yes, with login protection and CAPTCHA on login pages.
Q10: Should I hire a professional to clean my site?
A: If you’re unsure, yes. Services like Sucuri and MalCare offer expert support.
Q11: Is Jetpack Backup reliable?
A: Yes, it offers real-time cloud backups and easy restoration.
Q12: How long does it take Google to unflag my site?
A: Usually 24–72 hours after a successful review request.
Q13: What’s a SALT key in WordPress?
A: Security keys that protect cookies and passwords—regenerate them if compromised.
Q14: Should I reinstall themes after a hack?
A: Yes, especially if they’re not from official or trusted sources.
Q15: Is two-factor authentication necessary?
A: It’s one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized logins.
Conclusion: Get Your WordPress Site Back on Track
A hacked WordPress site is stressful—but it’s recoverable. With the right tools and a structured approach, you can restore your site, regain search engine trust, and put long-term security in place.
At nichesteps.com, we help website owners recover fast and build smarter. Whether you’re cleaning up a hack or starting over, we’ve got your back.
What Was Your Experience?
Have you ever dealt with a hacked WordPress site? Share your questions or recovery tips in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.