Owning a WordPress site is exciting. You can share your ideas, sell your products, and grow your brand from anywhere. But here’s the thing nobody likes to think about even if you’re careful with security, your site can still get hacked.
Sometimes, you’ll notice right away. Other times, the signs are so small you don’t realize until it’s already caused damage. Hackers are getting sneakier, and not every attack is obvious.
That’s why it’s so important to know the warning signs. The sooner you spot them, the faster you can fix the problem and protect your traffic, reputation, and income.
Let’s walk through the most common signs of a hacked WordPress site and what you can do about them. Learn more
Why Hackers Go After WordPress Sites
Hackers don’t just go after big companies. In fact, smaller sites are often easier targets because they don’t always have strong security in place.
Here’s why WordPress sites get targeted so often:
- It’s popular — WordPress runs over 40% of all websites. That’s a big pool for hackers.
- Weak spots — Old plugins, outdated themes, and weak passwords are easy entry points. b
- Bots do the work — Most attacks aren’t personal. Automated bots scan the web looking for sites with gaps in security.
The good news? With regular updates, backups, and a bit of care, you can prevent most attacks. According to the official WordPress security guide, keeping your site updated is one of the most effective ways to prevent attacks
Still, it’s important to know the signs. Here are 7 warning signals that can help you spot if your WordPress site has been hacked.
1. Your Homepage Looks Different
If you open your site and something feels… off strange ads, random text, or images you didn’t add it’s worth investigating.
Some hackers completely replace your homepage (“defacement attacks”), while others sneak in small changes that are easy to miss.
What to do:
- Compare your homepage with an older version or backup.
- Run a scan using Wordfence or similar security plugins.
2. New Admin Accounts You Didn’t Create
Hackers love creating secret “Admin” accounts so they can log back in whenever they want.
Check this:
- Go to Users → All Users in your WordPress dashboard.
- Look for usernames you don’t recognize.
- If you find any, delete them and change your passwords right away.
3. Spam Links and Pop-Ups
If your blog posts suddenly have links to random products or adult sites or pop-ups start showing without your permission your site might be compromised.
Hackers use these links to earn money or push their own websites higher in Google rankings.
What to do:
- Scan your site for malware.
- Check your theme and plugin files for suspicious code.
- Remove anything you didn’t put there.
4. Your Site Redirects Somewhere Else
Click your own link, but end up on a gambling site or fake login page? That’s a redirect hack and it’s often hidden deep in your site’s code.
What to do:
- Test your site on different devices and browsers.
- Check Google Search Console for Security Issues alerts.
5. Big Drop in Traffic or Rankings
If your site’s traffic drops overnight and you didn’t change anything, Google might have flagged it as unsafe.
How to check:
- Open Google Search Console and look for warnings.
- Search your site in Incognito mode to see if any warnings appear.
6. Your Site Is Suddenly Slow or Keeps Crashing
Hackers sometimes use your site’s server to run their own scripts or store files, which can slow everything down.
What to do:
- Log into your hosting account and look for unusual activity.
- Test your site speed using GTmetrix or Pingdom.
7. Warnings from Your Hosting Provider or Google
If you get an email about malware or suspicious activity don’t ignore it. Those alerts are usually real.
What to Do If Your WordPress Site Has Been Hacked
- Change every password WordPress, hosting, FTP, and database.
- Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
- Run a malware scan using Wordfence, Sucuri, or MalCare.
- Restore a clean backup from before the hack.
- Contact your hosting provider for extra help.
How to Keep Hackers Out in the Future
- Keep everything updated.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Install a reliable security plugin.
- Back up your site regularly.
- Limit login attempts.
If all of this feels like a lot to manage, you don’t have to do it alone. ManageMySite can handle your WordPress security, updates, and backups so you can focus on running your business without worrying about hackers.
FAQ About Hacked WordPress Sites
Q: How do I know if my WordPress site has been hacked?
A: Look for warning signs like strange changes on your homepage, new admin accounts, spam links, redirects, or sudden drops in traffic.
Q: What should I do if my WordPress site is hacked?
A: Immediately change all passwords, update plugins/themes, run a malware scan, and restore from a clean backup.
Q: How can I prevent my WordPress site from being hacked again?
A: Keep everything updated, use a strong password, install a security plugin, and back up your site regularly.
