When your website gets hacked, the first reaction is usually panic — followed by the urge to fix everything as quickly as possible. That instinct makes sense, but acting too fast can actually make the situation worse. Before you change a single file or click any button, the smartest and safest move is to take your website offline or switch it into maintenance mode.
Why Going Offline Matters
1. It stops attackers from making more changes
If your website is still live, the attacker may still be inside your system. That means they can continue:
- Injecting malware
- Adding hidden backdoors
- Modifying files
- Creating fake admin accounts
- Stealing customer data
Every minute the site stays online is another minute the attacker can cause more damage. Taking it offline cuts off their access and prevents the situation from escalating.
2. It protects your customers from harm
A hacked website doesn’t just affect you — it puts your visitors at risk. Depending on the type of attack, customers may be exposed to:
- Malicious redirects
- Fake login pages designed to steal passwords
- Phishing forms
- Infected downloads
- Scam pop‑ups
If someone gets harmed because your site stayed online, the trust damage can last far longer than the hack itself. Going offline immediately shows responsibility and protects your audience.
3. It gives you a safe space to investigate
Trying to diagnose a hack while the site is still running is like trying to repair a car while it’s speeding down the highway. You need a controlled environment.
Taking the site offline allows you to:
- Review server logs
- Compare file changes
- Check for unauthorized users
- Identify suspicious plugins or scripts
- Assess how deep the breach goes
You can do all of this without the attacker interfering and without exposing visitors to danger.
What To Do Right Away
Once you’ve taken the site offline, your next steps should be quick and methodical:
- Put the site in maintenance mode or temporarily disable it
This prevents further damage and protects visitors. - Change all passwords
Update hosting, CMS, FTP, database, and admin credentials. Use strong, unique passwords for each. - Revoke unknown or unused accounts
Hackers often create hidden users to regain access later. - Notify your hosting provider
Many hosts have built‑in tools to help isolate the infection, scan for malware, or temporarily lock down your environment.
These steps create a secure foundation so you can move into the investigation and cleanup phase with confidence.
What Happens Next?
Once your site is safely offline and your accounts are secured, the next step is figuring out exactly what the hacker did — and how to undo it. That includes identifying the entry point, removing malicious code, restoring clean backups, and hardening your security before going live again.
We’ll cover that in the next part of this series.
Need Immediate Help
If your website has been hacked and you need expert support right now, Green Monkeys Studio can help you:
- Secure your site
- Isolate the damage
- Remove malware
- Restore functionality
- Strengthen your long‑term security
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.