Has My Site Been Hacked? How To Check

Most customers that contact us for help with cleaning a hacked site have discovered their site is hacked because their browser is alerting them when they visit their own site, or their hosting provider took their site offline.

This is disastrous because it means that your site has been infected long enough for the hackers to do damage. The damage they did caused a hosting provider to shut off the site or caused Google to detect that the site is hosting malware, SEO spam or a phishing attack.

How To Check Website Being Hacked Or Not

If you suspect your website has been hacked, here are the steps you can take to check and confirm the issue:

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1. Check for Signs of Hacking

Look for these common signs:

• Unexpected changes: Content altered, suspicious posts, or unknown files on your site.
• Browser warnings: Users reporting seeing warnings like “This site may harm your computer.”
• Search engine issues: Your site is flagged with terms like “This site is hacked” in search results.
• Abnormal site behavior: Slow performance, unexplained redirects, or strange pop-ups.
• User complaints: Visitors mentioning unusual activities or phishing attempts.
• Hosting notifications: Alerts from your web host about suspicious activities.

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2. Scan Your Website

• Online Security Tools:
  • Google Safe Browsing: Check if Google has flagged your site.
  • Sucuri SiteCheck: Scan for malware and security issues.
  • VirusTotal: Scan URLs and files for malicious content.
• Hosting Provider Tools: Most hosting providers offer tools to scan for malware. Log in to your hosting account to check for any alerts or built-in scans.

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3. Inspect Server Logs

• Check access logs and error logs for unusual activity such as:
  • Repeated login attempts.
  • Access to strange or unknown files.
  • Unusual traffic spikes.

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4. Review Website Files

• Look for suspicious files, code, or changes:
  • Files with unfamiliar names or extensions (e.g., .php files in unexpected directories).
  • Obfuscated or encoded scripts added to your pages.
  • Modified .htaccess files, which might redirect traffic or hide malicious activities.

5. Review Admin Access and Users

• Check for unauthorized admin accounts in your CMS (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, etc.).
• Review login attempts for failed or suspicious logins.

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6. Check Search Engine Console

• Use Google Search Console or Bing Webmaster Tools:
  • Look for security warnings or issues flagged by search engines.

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7. Check Email Reputation

If your site sends emails, verify whether it has been flagged for spam:

• Use tools like MXToolbox to check email reputation and blacklisting.

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8. Update and Secure

• Ensure your CMS, plugins, themes, and server software are updated.
• Change all passwords: database, FTP, CMS admin, hosting account, etc.
• Review and restrict file and directory permissions.

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If you confirm a hack, it’s critical to act quickly:

1. Take the site offline (use maintenance mode).
2. Backup the site (even in its compromised state).
3. Contact your hosting provider for assistance.
4. Consider professional help if the breach is complex.

Let me know if you need help interpreting any findings or resolving the issue!

Conclusion

Detecting a website hacked requires vigilance and a systematic approach. By checking for unusual behaviors, scanning your website, reviewing server logs, and updating credentials, you can confirm whether your site has been compromised.

If you find evidence of a hack:

1. Act immediately to minimize damage.
2. Secure your site by isolating the problem, updating software, and restoring clean backups.
3. Seek expert help if needed.

Once resolved, implement stronger security measures, such as regular scans, backups, and stricter access controls, to prevent future attacks.