Is My Website Hacked? How to Check and Confirm

Website hacking is an all-too-common occurrence that can disrupt your online presence, damage your reputation, and compromise sensitive data. But how can you tell if your site has been hacked? Recognizing the signs early and confirming a breach is critical to mitigating damage. In this guide, we’ll explore the symptoms of a hacked website, how to confirm a breach, and the steps to take if your site is compromised.

“IN TODAY’S WORLD, ENDPOINT PROTECTION IS NO LONGER A LUXURY; IT’S A NECESSITY. FAILING TO SECURE ENDPOINTS IS LIKE LEAVING THE FRONT DOOR OPEN FOR CYBERCRIMINALS, EXPOSING BUSINESSES TO THEFT, DISRUPTION, AND FINANCIAL LOSS.”

Raj Samani, Chief Scientist at McAfee

Why Websites Get Hacked

Hackers target websites for various reasons:

• Financial Gain: Stealing credit card data or installing ransomware.
• Spreading Malware: Infecting visitors with malicious software.
• Defacement: Altering content to make a statement or for bragging rights.
• SEO Spam: Injecting links or content to manipulate search engine rankings.
• Resource Exploitation: Using your server for activities like cryptomining or launching attacks.

Signs Your Website Might Be Hacked

1. Unusual Website Behavior

• Sudden slowdowns or frequent crashes.
• Pop-ups appearing where there were none before.

2. Unauthorized Content or Changes

• Suspicious blog posts, new pages, or altered text/images.
• Redirects to unfamiliar or malicious websites.

3. Security Warnings from Browsers or Search Engines

• Google Safe Browsing displays a warning when users try to visit your site.
• Browsers warn visitors that the site is unsafe.

4. Spam Emails from Your Domain

• Receiving complaints that spam emails are being sent from your email address.

5. Decreased Website Traffic

• Search engines may blacklist your site, leading to a sudden drop in visitors.

6. Missing or Inaccessible Admin Features

• Being locked out of your admin account.
• New admin accounts created without your permission.

7. Strange Server Activity

• Increased bandwidth usage or unusual server logs.

How to Confirm Your Website Is Hacked

Step 1: Scan for Malware

Use tools to scan your website for malicious code or vulnerabilities:

• Sucuri SiteCheck
• Google Safe Browsing
• Wordfence (for WordPress sites)

These tools can identify suspicious activity, malware, and unauthorized changes.

Step 2: Check Website Files

Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel. Look for:

• Newly added files with strange names (e.g., xyz.php).
• Modified core files like index.php or .htaccess.
• Hidden folders or files (often prefixed with a dot, like .backdoor.php).

Step 3: Review Server Logs

Analyze access logs for unusual patterns:

• Repeated failed login attempts.
• IPs making excessive requests.
• Requests to unfamiliar files.

Step 4: Run a Database Check

Hackers often target databases to insert spammy links or scripts. Check for:

• Unauthorized changes to content.
• Suspicious user accounts.

Step 5: Use Google Search Console

Log into your Google Search Console account:

• Check for security issues under the “Security & Manual Actions” tab.
• Review crawl errors and flagged URLs.

Common Methods Hackers Use

1. Brute Force Attacks

Automated tools try various username-password combinations to gain access.

2. SQL Injection

Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in input fields to inject malicious SQL code.

3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Malicious scripts are injected into your website’s content or forms.

4. Plugin or Theme Exploits

Outdated or poorly coded plugins and themes serve as entry points.

5. Backdoors

Hackers leave hidden access points to regain control even after initial removal.

Immediate Actions If Your Website Is Hacked

1. Take Your Website Offline

Prevent further harm by temporarily disabling your site.

2. Change All Passwords

Update passwords for your:

• Admin account.
• Database.
• FTP/SFTP access.

3. Notify Your Hosting Provider

Most hosting providers have tools and teams to help mitigate breaches.

4. Restore from a Clean Backup

If available, roll back to a backup from before the hack occurred.

5. Clean Your Site

Manually or with the help of security plugins, remove malware and fix vulnerabilities.

Preventing Future Hacks

1. Keep Everything Updated

Regularly update your CMS, plugins, and themes to patch vulnerabilities.

2. Use Strong Passwords

Create unique, complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

3. Install Security Plugins

Plugins like Sucuri, Wordfence, or MalCare offer continuous monitoring and protection.

4. Enable HTTPS

Secure your site with an SSL certificate to encrypt data transfers.

5. Regular Backups

Schedule automatic backups to ensure you always have a clean version of your site.

6. Limit Admin Access

Restrict access to your admin panel and enforce role-based permissions.

When to Seek Professional Help

If the attack is beyond your expertise, consider hiring experts. Services like Sucuri, SiteLock, or your hosting provider’s support team can help recover and secure your website.

Conclusion

Identifying and confirming a website hack is the first step toward recovery. By staying vigilant, conducting regular security checks, and implementing preventative measures, you can protect your online presence and avoid future breaches. When in doubt, seek professional assistance to ensure your site is restored and secured against further attacks.