How to Recover a Hacked WordPress Site


Introduction

Discovering that your WordPress site has been hacked can be a distressing experience, but it's essential to act swiftly to regain control and restore your website's security. In this guide, we'll outline the steps to recover a hacked WordPress site and provide sample code and instructions for the recovery process.


Step 1: Isolate and Confirm the Hack

The first step is to confirm the security breach and isolate the hacked site:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately change your WordPress admin, FTP, and hosting control panel passwords.
  • Identify the Hack: Check for any suspicious files, malware, or unauthorized users.
  • Take the Site Offline: Temporarily take your site offline to prevent further damage.

Step 2: Restore from Backup

If you have a recent backup of your site, the easiest way to recover is to restore from that backup. If you don't have one, consider implementing regular backups for the future.


Step 3: Scan and Clean the Site

Scan your site for malware and malicious code. You can use plugins like "Sucuri Security" or "Wordfence" to perform a thorough scan. If malware is found, follow the recommended steps to clean your site.


Step 4: Update and Secure WordPress

Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are up-to-date. Outdated software can be a security vulnerability. You can add the following code to your theme's functions.php file to enable automatic updates:


        define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);

Step 5: Harden Security

Take additional security measures to prevent future hacks:

  • Install a Security Plugin: Use a reputable security plugin to protect your site.
  • Change Your Login URL: Change your WordPress login URL to something other than the default "wp-admin." You can use a plugin like "WPS Hide Login" for this.
  • Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF): Consider using a WAF service to protect your site from malicious traffic.

Step 6: Monitor and Back Up Regularly

After recovery, implement regular monitoring and backup procedures to catch and mitigate any potential issues early.


Conclusion

Recovering a hacked WordPress site can be a daunting task, but with the right steps and a focus on prevention, you can restore your website and prevent future attacks. Regularly update your site, implement security measures, and maintain backups to ensure your WordPress site remains secure and resilient.