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As a website developer, there’s nothing more alarming than getting a call from a client reporting that their website has been hacked. It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not sure how to fix the problem. In this article, I’ll share my experience of fixing a hacked WordPress website for a client in just one day and getting them removed from Google’s blacklist.
Hacking attempts are becoming more sophisticated by the day, and websites can be vulnerable to these attacks even with the best security measures in place. That’s why it’s essential to take proactive measures to prevent hacking attempts and to act quickly if a website is hacked.
One of my clients called me, reporting that their website was showing a strange message instead of their homepage. Upon further investigation, I discovered that their website had been hacked and was blacklisted by Google.
Here are the steps I followed to fix the hacked WordPress website and get it removed from Google’s blacklist:
Step 1: Take a Backup
Before making any changes to the website, I took a backup to ensure that I could restore the site to its previous state if anything went wrong during the fix.
Step 2: Identify the Hacked Files
I used a security plugin to scan the website for malware and hacked files. The scan revealed that several files on the website had been hacked.
Step 3: Remove the Hacked Files
I removed the hacked files from the website, ensuring that the hackers no longer had access to the website.
Step 4: Change All Passwords
I changed all the passwords associated with the website, including the WordPress login, cPanel, and FTP passwords. This step ensures that the hackers cannot regain access to the website.
Step 5: Update All Plugins and Themes
I updated all the plugins and themes on the website to the latest versions. This step ensures that any vulnerabilities in the plugins and themes are fixed, reducing the chances of future hacking attempts.
Step 6: Request for Reconsideration
Once the website was cleaned and secured, I requested a reconsideration from Google to get the website removed from their blacklist.
Fixing a hacked WordPress website can be a daunting task, but with the right steps, it can be done quickly and efficiently. It’s essential to take immediate action and follow the steps outlined above to ensure that the website is safe and secure from future hacking attempts. By following these steps, I was able to fix my client’s website in just one day and get them removed from Google’s blacklist.
You can prevent your WordPress website from being hacked by using security plugins, keeping your plugins and themes up to date, and using strong passwords.
You can check if your WordPress website has been hacked by scanning it with a security plugin or by checking for any strange behavior, such as unauthorized changes to the website.
Yes, you can fix a hacked WordPress website yourself by following the steps outlined in this article or by seeking the help of a professional.
The time it takes to fix a hacked WordPress website depends on the severity of the attack. However, with the right steps, it can be done quickly and efficiently.
If your WordPress website is blacklisted by Google, the first step is to identify the reason why it was blacklisted. You can do this by checking the security issues report in Google Search Console. Once you have identified the problem, you can take steps to fix it. For instance, if your website was hacked, you can follow the steps outlined in this article to fix the problem.
Once you have fixed the problem, you can request a reconsideration from Google through Google Search Console. This process involves submitting a request to Google, explaining the steps you have taken to fix the problem and requesting that your website be removed from the blacklist. Google will then review your request and remove your website from the blacklist if they find that it is now safe and secure.
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