Prepare a useful report when a website may be compromised Print

Quick answer

Unexpected redirects, unfamiliar accounts, altered files, or security alerts need investigation. Preserve evidence and describe the observed symptom without assuming that every unusual request proves a successful compromise or data theft.

Before you begin

Record the affected website, discovery time, alert source, and visible behavior. Use an approved private support channel and avoid exposing credentials or suspicious files publicly.

What to do

1. Capture relevant screenshots, URLs, timestamps, and redacted alert details. Do not execute or browse unknown downloaded code to inspect it casually.
2. Identify recent authorized changes and people with access. Compare suspicious activity with known deployments, updates, and integrations.
3. Ask the responsible team to assess containment, access control, evidence preservation, and recovery. Urgent actions should follow the incident’s actual scope.
4. Preserve current files and logs before cleanup where practical. A known backup may help recovery, but its age and integrity need verification.
5. After remediation, verify site functions, review the entry point where established, and document follow-up protection and monitoring tasks.

How to check the result

A completed incident record should distinguish evidence, conclusions, recovery actions, and remaining uncertainty. A clean scan or restored homepage alone does not establish that all affected accounts and data have been reviewed.

If you need help

If private information may be involved, escalate through the business’s incident process and obtain qualified advice on required responses. Do not promise that no data was accessed unless the investigation supports that specific conclusion.

Related help

• Review mailbox forwarders and filters after a suspected compromise
• Create a clear handoff after a website incident
• Choose a selective rollback instead of restoring everything

Official references

• WordPress security hardening

Reviewed October 31, 2026. Interfaces, vendor availability, and account features can change. Check your current account before making changes.