Spam redirects, strange ads or a Google warning usually mean your WordPress site was hacked. It can almost always be cleaned up without starting over.
What it means
Your site is showing signs of compromise - unexpected content, redirects, spam links, defacement, or warnings from browsers/Google. The attacker got in through a vulnerability and planted malicious code.
Why it happens
WordPress sites get hacked through outdated plugins/themes, weak passwords, nulled (pirated) plugins, or compromised admin accounts. The attacker's goal is usually SEO spam, malware distribution, or using your server for attacks.
What to do
- Don't panic-delete - you need to preserve evidence and know what was touched.
- Change all passwords immediately (admin, database, FTP, hosting, email).
- Put the site in maintenance mode to prevent further damage.
- Scan for malware - look for suspicious files, injected code, and unauthorized admin users.
- Clean the infection, update everything, and harden security.
- Monitor for reinfection - hackers often leave backdoors.
Still stuck? Hacked sites can almost always be recovered - we contain the breach, remove the malware, close the entry point, and verify the site is clean.
Get emergency help