7 invisible signs your WordPress site has been compromised

Many entrepreneurs believe a cyber attack is obvious: a red screen on the homepage or dubious messages left by hackers. The reality is quite different. Most attacks are silent, designed to steal data or resources without attracting attention, leaving your business vulnerable for months.

The 7 signs that your WordPress site might be compromised

Here is what you need to pay attention to in order to protect your business and your clients’ data:

• 1. A sudden drop in loading speed. Hackers can use your server’s resources to mine cryptocurrencies or send spam, drastically slowing down the site for legitimate visitors.
• 2. Strange redirects (especially on mobile). Accessing your site, visitors might be automatically redirected to betting sites or dubious ads, even though everything seems normal on the desktop.
• 3. A massive increase in suspicious traffic in Google Analytics. An inexplicable traffic spike, with a bounce rate of nearly 100%, can indicate a bot attack.
• 4. New administrator-level users. Check your WordPress users list. If you notice new accounts with full privileges that you do not recognize, this is a major red flag.
• 5. Errors when sending emails. If your server is used to send spam, your IP can end up on a blacklist, and legitimate emails to clients will no longer be sent.
• 6. Inexplicable content changes. Hidden links inserted into your texts or new pages you didn’t know about, used for Black Hat SEO by attackers.
• 7. Warnings in Google Search Console. Messages like “This site may be hacked” chase away clients before they even reach the site.

What do you do if you notice these signs?

Reaction time is critical. Isolating the attack and cleaning the site are the first steps, followed by serious security measures to prevent relapses.

To understand how you can build an impenetrable shield around your online business, read The Complete WordPress Security and Maintenance Guide for Businesses. There we detail all the preventive steps you need.