WordPress Site Got Hacked in 2025?

Introduction

Finding out your WordPress site has been hacked is a nightmare. It can mess up your business, scare away customers, and make you lose valuable data. With over 13,000 WordPress sites hacked daily, it's more common than you think. But don’t worry—you can fix this if you act fast. This guide will help you figure out if your site has been hacked, show you how to clean it up, and help you keep it safe in the future.

Signs Your WordPress Site Was Hacked

Not all hacks are obvious. Here are some telltale signs that something’s wrong:

• Your site looks different – Hackers might deface your homepage or add strange new content.
• You’re getting redirected – Clicking on your site takes you to another (often shady) website.
• Your site is super slow or crashes a lot – Malicious scripts could be hogging your server’s resources.
• There are new users in your admin panel – If you didn’t add them, hackers probably did.
• Google is flagging your site as unsafe – Visitors may see scary security warnings.
• Spam comments everywhere – Bots might be using your site to spread spam.
• Your hosting provider warns you – Some hosts scan for malware and will notify you of suspicious activity.
• You can’t log in – If your password suddenly stops working, someone else might have taken over.

If you see any of these signs, act fast to prevent further damage.

How to Fix a Hacked WordPress Site

1. Change All Your Passwords

First things first—lock the hackers out. Change your WordPress, hosting, database, and FTP passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra protection.

2. Scan for Malware

Install a WordPress security plugin like Wordfence, Sucuri, or MalCare. Run a full scan to find infected files and take note of anything suspicious.

3. Restore from a Clean Backup

If you have a recent, clean backup, restore it through your hosting provider or backup plugin. Popular backup solutions:

• UpdraftPlus – Easy cloud backups and restoration.
• BlogVault – Automated daily backups with built-in malware scanning.
• Jetpack Backup – Real-time backups and quick recovery options.

If you don’t have a backup, you’ll need to manually clean your site.

4. Remove Unknown Admin Users

Go to Users > All Users and delete any suspicious accounts. Hackers often create new administrator users to regain access later.

5. Delete Suspicious Files

Look through these folders and files for anything that shouldn’t be there:

• wp-content/uploads – A common hiding place for malicious scripts.
• wp-config.php – Check for injected code.
• .htaccess – Ensure it hasn't been altered.
• wp-includes and wp-admin – These should only contain core WordPress files.

Delete anything that looks sketchy or replace modified core files with clean versions.

6. Update WordPress, Plugins, and Themes

Hackers love outdated software. Update everything to patch security holes and keep your site safe.

7. Contact Your Hosting Provider

Many hosting companies, like Kinsta, WP Engine, and SiteGround, offer malware removal services. Let them know what’s going on—they might be able to help.

8. Request Google Review

If Google blacklisted your site, go to Google Search Console > Security Issues and request a review after you’ve cleaned everything up.

9. Get Professional Help

If this all seems overwhelming, don’t try to fix it alone. Get an expert to do it for you. We’ve helped countless businesses recover their hacked WordPress sites quickly and securely. Let us take care of the cleanup so you can focus on running your business. Reach out to us—we’ll fix it fast and keep your site secure.

Real-World Case Study

How We Helped an Australian E-Commerce Store Recover from a Hacking

An online store selling bespoke furniture in Sydney woke up to a disaster—its WordPress WooCommerce site was redirecting customers to a scam website. Sales plummeted overnight, and trust from customers was at risk. The store owner contacted us immediately for help.

Here’s how we got their business back on track:

1. We quickly identified the issue – Suspicious admin users and modified theme files indicated a breach.
2. Restored from a backup – Fortunately, they had an UpdraftPlus backup from the night before.
3. Updated everything – We updated WordPress core, plugins, and themes to eliminate vulnerabilities.
4. Installed Wordfence and Sucuri – To provide ongoing protection against future attacks.
5. Enabled Two-Factor Authentication – Making it nearly impossible for hackers to regain access.

Within 24 hours, their store was back up and running, avoiding significant revenue loss. Due to privacy reasons, we can’t disclose the store's name, but this is just one of many businesses we've helped recover from WordPress hacks.

How to Prevent Future Hacks

Once you’ve recovered, make sure this never happens again by following these steps:

• Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Stops brute-force attacks in their tracks.
• Install a Firewall – Services like Sucuri Firewall block hackers before they reach your site.
• Set Up Automated Backups – UpdraftPlus or BlogVault can save you if things go wrong.
• Limit Plugin Installations – Stick to trusted, regularly updated plugins only.
• Regularly Audit User Access – Remove old or inactive admin accounts.
• Get on our Website Maintenance Plan – Enjoy your peace of mind and let us handle security, updates, and monitoring for you.

Conclusion

Getting hacked sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. If you act fast and follow these steps, you can recover quickly and prevent future attacks.

If you need expert help, reach out to us—we’ll fix it and keep your site secure. Our Website Maintenance Plan includes 24/7 protection, automated updates, and daily security scans, so you never have to worry about future malicious acts.