There are a few basic indicators that might help you determine if your WordPress site has been hacked or infected.
There are a few basic indicators that might help you determine if your WordPress site has been hacked or infected.
1. A Sudden Decline in Web Traffic
1. A Sudden Decline in Web Traffic
If you see a dramatic decline in traffic in your analytics statistics, it's possible that your WordPress site has been hacked.
If you see a dramatic decline in traffic in your analytics statistics, it's possible that your WordPress site has been hacked.
2. You're unable to access WordPress
2. You're unable to access WordPress
If you are unable to enter into your WordPress site, it is possible that hackers have erased your WordPress admin account.
If you are unable to enter into your WordPress site, it is possible that hackers have erased your WordPress admin account.
3. Bad Links Have Been Added to Your Site
3. Bad Links Have Been Added to Your Site
Hackers may install a backdoor on your WordPress site that allows them to change the files and database.
Hackers may install a backdoor on your WordPress site that allows them to change the files and database.
4. Your homepage has been tampered with
4. Your homepage has been tampered with
Some hackers might usually alter your homepage with a message of their own. Some may even attempt to extort money from webmasters.
Some hackers might usually alter your homepage with a message of their own. Some may even attempt to extort money from webmasters.
5. Your Server Has Unknown Files and Scripts
5. Your Server Has Unknown Files and Scripts
Using a site scanner plugin like Sucuri, detects an unfamiliar file or script on your server, it will notify you.
Using a site scanner plugin like Sucuri, detects an unfamiliar file or script on your server, it will notify you.
6. Your website is frequently slow
6. Your website is frequently slow
Hackers may send an excessive number of requests to your server. Such behaviour will cause your website to become slow, unresponsive, and inaccessible.
Hackers may send an excessive number of requests to your server. Such behaviour will cause your website to become slow, unresponsive, and inaccessible.
7. WordPress Emails Aren't Being Sent or Received
7. WordPress Emails Aren't Being Sent or Received
If you can't send or receive WordPress emails, it's possible that your mail server has been hacked to transmit spam.
If you can't send or receive WordPress emails, it's possible that your mail server has been hacked to transmit spam.
8. Hijacked Search Results
8. Hijacked Search Results
If your website's search results show false titles or meta descriptions, it's a clue that your WordPress site has been hacked.
If your website's search results show false titles or meta descriptions, it's a clue that your WordPress site has been hacked.
9. Popups or Pop Under Adverts on Your Website
9. Popups or Pop Under Adverts on Your Website
These types of hacks try to gain money by diverting traffic to their own junk ads.
These types of hacks try to gain money by diverting traffic to their own junk ads.