What to Do If Your Website Gets Hacked: A Step-by-Step Guide

A hacked website can be a nightmare — especially when your homepage (index page) is compromised. Whether you're running a business website, blog, or e-commerce store, the impact is serious: lost trust, damaged SEO, and potential data breaches.

If your website has been hacked, don’t panic. Here's a step-by-step action plan to help you regain control and prevent future attacks.


⚠️ Why Hackers Target Websites

Hackers exploit vulnerabilities in websites to:

  • Inject malicious code

  • Redirect users to spam or phishing sites

  • Gain access to sensitive data

  • Damage brand reputation

Common causes include:

  • Outdated software or plugins

  • Weak passwords

  • Unsecured admin access

  • Poor server-side security


✅ Step-by-Step: How to Fix a Hacked Website

1. Take the Website Offline (Temporarily)

  • Activate maintenance mode or disable the index page.

  • This prevents visitors (and search engines) from seeing compromised content.

2. Identify and Remove Malicious Code

  • Look for strange scripts in files like index.php, header.php, .htaccess, etc.

  • Common signs include:

    • Encoded text (eval, base64)

    • Unknown