How do I recover a hacked WordPress site?

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Overview

If your WordPress website has been hacked, you should act quickly to secure your account, remove malicious files, and restore a clean version of your site. This guide walks you through the recovery process using your hosting control panel.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Put your website into maintenance mode

  • Log in to your hosting control panel
  • Open File Manager
  • Go to `public_html`
  • Rename `index.php` to `index_old.php`
  • Upload a simple maintenance page if needed

2. Scan your website files

Check for suspicious files in:

  • `public_html`
  • `wp-content/uploads`
  • `wp-includes`
  • `wp-content/plugins`

Look for:

  • Unknown `.php` files
  • Recently modified core files
  • Obfuscated or unreadable code
  • Files with names like `cache.php` or `wp-vcd.php`

3. Remove malicious files

  • Delete any suspicious or unknown files

  • Replace WordPress core folders:

    • `wp-admin`
    • `wp-includes`

  • Download fresh copies from WordPress and upload them

4. Reset all passwords

Change all credentials immediately:

  • WordPress admin accounts
  • Hosting control panel login
  • FTP accounts
  • Database users

Also remove any unknown admin users in WordPress.

5. Check plugins and themes

  • Delete any unused plugins
  • Remove nulled or untrusted themes
  • Update all remaining plugins and themes

6. Check the database for injected code

Using phpMyAdmin, review:

  • `wp_posts`
  • `wp_options`

Look for:

  • Spam links
  • Suspicious scripts
  • Unknown iframes or redirects

7. Secure your installation

  • Install a security plugin (e.g. Wordfence)

  • Disable file editing in WordPress:

     

    `define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);`

     

  • Ensure correct permissions:

    • Files: `644`
    • Folders: `755`

8. Restore from backup (if necessary)

If the site is heavily compromised:

  • Restore the latest clean backup
  • Reapply security steps after restoration

Important Notes

  • Always remove malware before restoring backups
  • Core WordPress files should always be replaced with fresh copies
  • Infections often come from outdated plugins or nulled themes
  • Regular updates significantly reduce risk

Common Issues & Fixes

Site still redirecting after cleanup

Check:

  • `.htaccess` file for malicious redirects
  • `wp_options` table for altered site URLs

Malware keeps returning

This usually means:

  • A plugin/theme is still infected
  • A backdoor file was missed
  • Passwords were not fully reset

Cannot access WordPress dashboard

Try:

  • Resetting admin password via database
  • Disabling plugins via File Manager (`plugins` folder rename)

Need Help?

If your website remains compromised after following these steps, your hosting support team can assist with deeper malware removal, file inspection, and recovery options.

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