Hackers are getting smarter, but they’re not the only ones you need to worry about.
There’s no way to prevent these kinds of attacks entirely, but there are ways to mitigate them by reducing your exposure and making it easier to detect breaches when they happen.
Here are some things you can do to clean your hacked website:
Evaluate Your Website
First, you need to evaluate your website for malware and viruses. Remove any infections that may be present.
This can be done with various tools, both free and paid.
Restore Broken Files
If some of your files have been replaced or deleted, it may be possible to restore them. If you’ve got a site backup on file, try restoring it.
If not, there’s always the chance someone has created copies on their machine. You can reach out to them and get your files back this way!
Update Software Packages And Security Fixes
Update any software packages for WordPress or other packages that may need updating. This will ensure that all security fixes are installed on your server so hackers can’t gain access to outdated exploits or bugs in your code.
You can create a cron job that automatically updates your software packages.
Change All Passwords And Make Them Difficult To Guess
A few passwords are very common, so hackers will try them first. The more difficult the password is to guess, the better.
Your most important ones to change include FTP access, database access, and admin logins. Consider adding some kind of two-factor authentication on top of this for added security.
In addition to changing passwords, you should update them regularly. Never use a password that’s over a year old! If your website is hacked and you’re using older passwords, they can get in again with up-to-date information.
Use A Password Manager
If you need to remember your passwords, consider using a password manager.
This will keep your passwords secure, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting any of them. Some free options are LastPass, KeePass, and 1Password.
All of these are available on most mobile devices and desktop PCs. This way, you can access them anywhere, at work or away from your home computer.
Consult A Website Security Expert
If you need to figure out whether or not you’ve been hacked, some free tools can help you figure it out. But it’s best to consult a website security expert if you want a more definitive answer or need help cleaning up your site after a breach.
They’ll be able to help you get your site back to its pre-hacked state and will also advise on steps you can take to prevent future attacks.
Undoubtedly, hackers are always getting more intelligent, but that doesn’t mean your website is defenceless. There are things you can do to clean your hacked website and protect yourself from future attacks.
Evaluate your site for malware and viruses, restore any broken files, update any software packages, change all your passwords, and consult a website security expert if you’re not sure you’ve been hacked.