7 Common Signs That Your WordPress Site Has Been Hacked

The word "security" is often associated with the negative emotions of fear and anxiety. However, security is not something to be afraid of. We should embrace and take care of it to ensure that our WordPress site is safe and secure.

There are many reasons why you need to invest in security for your WordPress site. One reason is that you can protect it from hackers who want to steal your data or inject malware into it. Another reason would be to get rid of malicious scripts on your site, which may lead to a decrease in traffic or conversion rates.

WordPress sites are vulnerable to cyber-attacks because of the platform's open-source nature. The WordPress community has been working on ways to improve these sites' security, but some vulnerabilities remain.

It would be best if you were vigilant, so it is essential to know the signs that someone might have hacked your site. Here are signs that you can find if that does happen to you.

1.  You are unable to access your admin account.

If you cannot access your admin account, your WordPress website might be hacked. The hacker could have changed the login credentials and password or installed a keylogger on your computer.

The first thing you should do is change the password and try logging in again. If this doesn't work, the hacker may have also altered your login credentials. If this is the case, it's best to contact a professional who can help you regain control of your site.

If you think someone has gained access to your site without permission, you must take action immediately. The first thing to do is to reset passwords for all accounts and change any other passwords associated with the WordPress installation.

2. Defaced home page

A reliable security plugin is the best way to protect your website. You should also make sure you have a strong password and change it regularly.

The most common way for hackers to hack your WordPress site is by exploiting a vulnerability in your website. Hackers can do this using brute force attacks, SQL injection, or cross-site scripting.

Once they have hacked into your website, they can create a defaced homepage that shows the hacker's message and demands. They can also use this defaced home page to infect their visitors with malware or ransomware.

A defaced homepage is usually the first sign that your WordPress site has been hacked. This situation can happen when a hacker infiltrates your website and changes the content to something offensive or harmful.

3. Unexpected new users

Hackers usually target a website by finding out what plugins it uses, then find vulnerabilities in those plugins and use them to hack into the site. Sometimes they also try guessing passwords or using brute force attacks on login forms. There are many ways that hackers can get into your website, but one sign that there may be a hacker is if you have an unexpected new user.

It's essential to ensure that your site is secure and that you have a backup plan in case of an attack. There are many plugins and other tools that can help with this.

In addition, it's essential to keep your WordPress installation updated and use strong passwords for all accounts.

4. Unusual activity in server logs

Website security is a top priority for every business owner. One of the most common ways to hack a website is by exploiting vulnerabilities in WordPress. A hacked WordPress site can be identifiable by unusual activity in server logs.

You can look at your malware reports and server logs to discover what errors are happening on your server. A hacked WordPress site usually has an increase in failed login attempts, increased search engine traffic, and a spike in spam comments on posts. These are just some signs that your website may have been hacked.

5. Your site is redirecting somewhere else

If your WordPress website redirects to a different website, it can be a sign that it has hackers. Your site may have an infection from malware or a virus, or it could have an outdated security plugin.

There are many ways hackers can get access to your WordPress site. If they are successful, they can do anything with the site: change the content, upload malicious software or even use your site as a proxy server.

Therefore, it's imperative to keep WordPress up-to-date and secure.

6. Your website starts sending spam

If you are a WordPress website owner, you should know that if your site starts sending spam, it can be a sign that it has hackers.

Hackers can use phishing techniques to get their hands on the password and username for your account. It is crucial to have strong passwords and keep them updated at all times.

7. A sudden drop in traffic

Website security is a big concern for all content creators. A sudden drop in website traffic can signify that your website has hackers.

If you notice a sudden drop in your website traffic, you should first look for any warning signs. If your site has hackers, there will likely be changes to how it looks. You might see unnatural links or missing content. You may also notice that some of your important data have been deleted or replaced with malicious code.

The traffic that should be going to your site might go elsewhere without you knowing, leading to a drop in traffic on your website.

Conclusion

If you find that any of these signs apply to you, then you should make sure that you check up on the security of your website ASAP. Even if you're confident that your site has no hackers, you might as well boost and reinforce your WordPress site. Keeping your site secure will prevent hacks and make your web visitors trust your site more.