The last time you checked your website, it was working perfectly fine, but when you visited it again, you were caught by surprise as hackers have taken over your site. What to do? In this situation, there is no use of worrying because you can still retrieve the website. Here are the steps to getting it back:
Inform your web hosting provider
Once you have discovered that your website has been hacked, it is imperative that you let your web host provider know about it. The sooner you inform them, the better. Your provider will also check if other customers are also affected. In the event that your host cannot help you retrieve your website, it is recommended that you get trusted people to do the job.
Quarantine the website
Put your website in quarantine until you are sure that the problem is fixed. While it is normal to worry about your content not reaching your target audience, your website still cannot serve its purpose. The DNS entries must be placed on a static page where 503 HTTP is used as a response code. You may also need to take your website offline. Be sure to review your administrator account as hackers often create their own account and delete your credentials.
Know the severity of the attack
Some hacking can be damaging to your website while others can be retrieved through a minor fix. Before taking any major steps, make sure that you have figured out the extent of the attack. Hackers can work their way into your website by infusing spammy content, dispersing malware and employing less suspicious techniques.
Check the files
You will also identify the maximum damage that the hacker has done to your website if you are going to check for the file system. It happens to the website and file system modification process. Check the files you have modified or created. You will need to check the server error logs as well. There might be some dubious activities going on that you might not be aware of such as failed login attempts. Files for redirects and configuration must also be checked.
Clean your website
A website that has experienced hacking must be constantly cleaned and updated. You will need to install security software that will add layers of protection to your website. There are also support sources that will help you deal with the loss of confidential information especially if you are a victim of phishing. Remove URLs created by hackers if there is any. It is also important to note that the removal of pages must be done carefully as you might remove good pages. Only get rid of pages that you do not want to appear in search results.
