WordPress Security: How to Fix Hacked WordPress Sites and Restore Admin Dashboard

Recently, my Linux Go Daddy hosting serving all three of my WordPress security blogs were compromised. Hackers gained unauthorized access and inserted malicious code into every single PHP file. This comprehensive guide will help you identify, fix, and prevent WordPress security breaches that affect your admin dashboard.

Common WordPress Security Breach Symptoms

If your WordPress site has been hacked, you might notice these warning signs:

  • RSS feed errors showing warnings like Warning: gzuncompress() [function.gzuncompress]: data error in /home/content/html/blog/wp-includes/http.php
  • Broken Admin/Dashboard with distorted layouts. This happens because hackers inject malicious code into dynamic CSS files.
  • Admin panel refreshing to blank screens due to malicious redirects.

Identifying WordPress Security Compromises

When investigating potential WordPress security issues, look for these telltale signs:

Suspicious Code in PHP Files

Check your PHP files for encoded malicious code snippets like this:

<?php /**/ eval(base64_decode("aWYoZnVuY3Rpb25fZXhpc3RzKCdvYl...=="));>

Hidden Iframes in Source Code

View your site’s source code in a browser to find hidden iframes like:

<iframe src="http://malicious-domain.org/in.php" width=1 height=1 frameborder=0></iframe>

WordPress Security Recovery Steps

Follow this WordPress security recovery plan to clean your hacked site:

  1. Change all passwords immediately (WordPress admin, FTP, hosting control panel)
  2. Create a complete backup of your site to your local computer
  3. Clean all affected PHP files (malicious code typically targets PHP files only)
  4. Re-upload your cleaned files to restore your site

Automated WordPress Security Cleanup Tool

To simplify the cleaning process, I’ve created a VBS script that automatically removes malicious code from PHP files. Place this script in your local root directory after downloading your site files. When executed, it generates a log file at C:\cleanUpWordPressPHP.txt documenting all cleaned files.

“Prevention is better than cure. Regular backups and security monitoring are essential for maintaining WordPress security.”

Preventing Future WordPress Security Breaches

Protect your WordPress site with these essential WordPress security measures:

Security Measure Implementation
Regular Updates Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated
Strong Passwords Use complex passwords and change them regularly
Security Plugins Install reputable security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri
File Permissions Set proper file permissions on your server
Regular Backups Maintain frequent offsite backups of your entire site

For more information about WordPress security best practices, check out WordPress.org’s Hardening Guide and WPBeginner’s Security Tips.

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about emerging threats by following resources like Sucuri Security Blog and implementing their recommended protections.