Hacked WordPress, how to avoid it?
Restore and secure a hacked WordPress website
A hacked WordPress site is every website owner’s nightmare. Whether it’s malicious code, infected files, or compromised plugins, a WordPress hack can damage your brand, your SEO rankings, and your users’ trust.
This page covers why WordPress is targeted, and how to fix and protect your site with smart security tips and secure web hosting.
Why is WordPress easily hacked?
The same qualities that make WordPress so popular—its open-source code, flexibility, and wide adoption—unfortunately also make it a prime target for hackers. Here are a couple of reasons:
- Plugins: Many users install dozens of third-party plugins, but don’t keep them updated. This creates easy entry points for malicious code.
- Weak admin passwords: Simple or reused passwords allow brute-force attacks on the admin login.
- Shared hosting: If you don’t host your WordPress on secure, isolated infrastructure, one infected site can affect others on the same server.
- Outdated themes and PHP: Old code often lacks critical security patches, making it easier for hackers to exploit known vulnerabilities.
- Poor file permissions: Giving write access to core files can allow hackers to insert dangerous PHP scripts.
Protect your WordPress website in 7 practical steps
WordPress offers great flexibility, but it also means keeping security in check. With so many sites running on WordPress, hackers are always on the lookout for weak spots like outdated plugins or poor hosting setups.
You don’t need expert skills to secure your WordPress site. With a few best practices and tools, you can protect your files, themes and user accounts, and minimise the risk of future attacks. Here are seven practical ways to boost your site’s security and keep it running smoothly:
1. Use strong login details
Weak passwords and default usernames like “admin” make login pages easy targets, so use strong credentials and enable two-factor authentication for added protection.
2. Install a security plugin
A good security plugin acts like a 24/7 watchguard for your site. It monitors logins, scans for malware, and alerts you to suspicious activity. Hosting plans with built-in firewalls or monitoring can boost protection by detecting threats before they reach your WordPress install.
3. Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated
Outdated software is a top target for attackers, so regular updates are key. Keeping plugins and themes updated, and removing unused or inactive one also reduces risk.
4. Control user access carefully
Only give admin access to those who truly need it. Assign roles based on tasks and regularly clean up unused accounts. Hosting with multi-user support makes managing permissions easier, especially for larger teams or multiple sites.
5. Choose a secure web hosting provider
Your host has a big impact on your site’s security. Look for providers with malware scanning, firewalls, and isolated hosting environments. WordPress specific hosting can offer extra features like automatic backups and tailored protection.
6. Set up automatic backups
Backups are essential in case of hacks, errors or bad updates. Use a plugin or your host’s tools to schedule regular backups, and store them securely. Testing backups now and then ensures they’ll work when you really need them.
7. Add an SSL certificate
SSL encrypts your site’s data and builds trust with visitors, it’s especially vital for logins, forms and checkouts. Most hosts, like OVHcloud, offer free SSL certificates, with premium options available for added validation. It’s a must-have for security and SEO alike.
Keep in mind:
Security isn’t just about data, it protects your reputation, keeps users’ trust, and helps avoid downtime. Follow these steps to build a safer, more resilient WordPress site.
Another smart way is to create your website with security built in from the start, to protect your content and users down the line.
Most of these tips are quick to put in place, but make a big difference. Whether you’re starting out or managing multiple sites, a bit of prevention goes a long way.
What do I do if my WordPress is hacked?
Discovering a hack on your WordPress website is stressful, but you can fix it. Take a step-by-step approach to clean your files, recover access, and stop future attacks.
Scan your website for malware
Use a reliable security plugin or external scanner to identify infected files, suspicious PHP code, or compromised themes. Look for anything you didn’t install or modify yourself.
Disable all plugins temporarily
Turn off all plugins to prevent further damage while you investigate. Re-enable them one by one to find the source of the problem.
Replace core WordPress files
Download a fresh copy of WordPress and replace the system files on your server.
Keep your wp-content folder and wp-config.php to preserve your content and settings.
Change all your passwords
Update your admin, user, FTP, database, and email passwords. Make sure each one is strong, unique, and different from what you used before.
Strengthen your security settings
Reinstall your security plugin, limit write access to important files, and remove anything unnecessary. Set up scheduled scans, restrict user roles, and delete old or unused plugins.
Renew your domain name
To keep your WordPress site secure, renew your domain before it expires and regularly check your DNS settings for unauthorised changes.
Your questions answered
Is WordPress safe from hackers?
WordPress is secure if you follow best practices. Most hacks happen due to outdated plugins, weak passwords, or poor hosting. Regular updates, strong logins, backups, and a security plugin go a long way.
Why do WordPress sites get hacked?
Hackers target WordPress because it’s widely used. Weak spots like old plugins or poor user controls give them an easy in. Secure passwords, updated PHP, and removing unused tools help cut your risk.