Before you can fix anything, you need to understand what actually happened. This is the step most people skip — not because they don’t care, but because they’re overwhelmed. A hacked website can feel like a maze of broken pieces, strange behavior, and unfamiliar files. But taking the time to assess the damage is essential. It tells you what you’re dealing with, how deep the intrusion goes, and what needs to be cleaned or rebuilt.
Some hacks are loud and obvious. Others are quiet, subtle, and designed to stay hidden for months. Your job right now isn’t to fix anything — it’s simply to observe.
Common Signs Your Site Was Compromised
Attackers leave traces, even when they try to hide. As you begin reviewing your site, watch for these red flags:
- New or unfamiliar admin accounts
Hackers often create their own access points so they can return later. These accounts may look legitimate at first glance — names like “system,” “backup,” or “support.” - Modified or suspicious files
Files with strange names, unexpected code, or recent modification dates are major indicators of tampering. Malware often hides inside core files or uploads itself into random directories. - Redirects to strange websites
If your site suddenly sends visitors to spam pages, adult content, or phishing sites, that’s a clear sign of injected scripts or compromised plugins. - Spam content injected into pages
Hidden text, strange links, or entire pages you didn’t create may appear. Some attackers use your site to boost their own SEO or distribute scams. - Unusual server activity
High CPU usage, unexplained spikes in traffic, or large outbound email volumes can indicate bots, scripts, or malicious processes running in the background. - Disabled security plugins or settings
Hackers often turn off firewalls, scanners, or login protections to make their job easier. - Unexpected changes to your homepage
This can range from defacement to subtle code injections that aren’t immediately visible.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, that’s completely normal. Hackers intentionally blend their changes into legitimate files and directories.
Where To Look
To understand the full scope of the damage, you’ll need to check several areas of your website and hosting environment. Each one reveals different clues.
- Your CMS admin panel
Look for new users, suspicious plugins, altered settings, or unfamiliar content. - File manager or FTP
Browse your file structure for recently modified files, unknown folders, or scripts that don’t belong. - Server logs
Access logs, error logs, and login logs can show when the intrusion happened and what the attacker did. - Recently modified files
Most hosting dashboards and FTP clients let you sort by date. Anything modified around the time of the hack deserves attention. - Plugin and theme directories
These are common entry points. Outdated or abandoned plugins are especially vulnerable.
Once you’ve gathered this information, you’ll have a clearer picture of what was touched, what was added, and what might still be hiding. With that foundation, you’re ready for the next step: scanning for malware and isolating the infection.
Not Sure What You’re Seeing?
Green Monkeys Studio can perform a full security audit and identify exactly what was compromised. We’ll help you understand the damage and guide you through a safe, complete recovery.
If your site is currently hacked, Green Monkeys Studio can help you recover quickly and safely. Call us at (206) 551-6177 or click to book a free consultation today. Let’s get your website back on track and protected for the future.