Website security: audit and hacked website cleanup

Has your website been hacked, is there malware on it, or code that nobody wrote? I help restore the security of websites and online stores: I carry out a website security audit, look for signs of compromise, clean viruses and malicious code, update the system and modules, and patch vulnerabilities. I work with PrestaShop, OpenCart, SilverStripe and other PHP systems, backed by 22 years of programming experience.

Signs that a website may have been hacked

A break-in is not always noticed straight away. The most common signs are:

• visitors are redirected to spam, gambling or other unknown sites (often only when coming from Google or browsing on a phone);

• unknown files have appeared on the server, and existing files contain foreign, obfuscated or injected code;

• Google search or the browser warns that the site is dangerous, or unfamiliar pages appear in search results;

• unknown administrators have appeared in the admin panel;

• spam emails are sent from the server, and the hosting provider restricts the account or outgoing mail;

• the site has suddenly slowed down, or the server is unusually loaded.

If you notice even one of these signs, do not put it off: the longer malicious code runs, the more harm it can do to the site's reputation and Google rankings.

What a website security audit includes

I carry out security audits both when you suspect a break-in and as a preventive measure. I check:

• files – I look for modified, unknown and suspicious files and malicious code: backdoors, spam redirects, injected scripts;

• the database – injected JavaScript, foreign links, unknown admin accounts;

• versions – system, module and theme versions and their known vulnerabilities;

• access – admin accounts and other obvious security gaps.

After the audit I clearly explain what I found and suggest what should be fixed.

Hacked website cleanup and updates

If the site has already been hacked, I clean viruses and malicious code from the files and the database, and remove foreign files and unknown users. It is important not only to deal with the consequences but also to find out how the attacker got in – otherwise the malicious code often comes back. That is why I update the system and modules, patch the vulnerabilities I find, and advise which passwords and access details should be changed.

PrestaShop, OpenCart and other PHP systems

Most of my work is with PrestaShop and OpenCart, so I know where malicious code most often hides in these systems: outdated modules, themes and long-unused files. Whether you need PrestaShop malware removal or an OpenCart security check, I start with these places. I also check and clean SilverStripe and other PHP systems, including custom websites written in plain PHP.

PrestaShop development and custom modules

OpenCart development and custom modules

PHP development for custom systems

How the work goes

1. You get in touch. Describe the system, what you have noticed and since when.

2. Estimate. I reply within one business day and estimate the scope of work.

3. Audit. Once I have access, I check the files, database and versions and establish the extent of the problem.

4. Cleanup. I clean the malicious code and remove foreign files and accounts.

5. Updates and hardening. I update the system and modules, patch vulnerabilities and tighten the key security settings.

Urgent help for a hacked website

If your site is hacked right now – visitors are being redirected, the site is down, or the hosting provider has blocked it – write to me and mark the request as urgent. Until then, do not delete anything: modified files and server logs help establish how the break-in happened.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if my website has been hacked?

The most common signs are visitors being redirected to unknown sites, Google warnings, unknown files or admin users, and spam emails sent from your server. If you have doubts, a website security audit will show what is really going on.

Is restoring the website from a backup enough?

Not always. The backup may already contain malicious code, and the vulnerability used to break in remains unpatched. So after restoring, it is still worth checking the website and updating the system and modules.

Do you work with systems other than PrestaShop and OpenCart?

Yes. Besides PrestaShop and OpenCart, I check and clean SilverStripe and other PHP systems, including custom websites written in plain PHP.

How much does hacked website cleanup cost?

The scope depends on the system and on how deeply the malicious code has spread, so I estimate each case individually.

Need your website checked or cleaned?

Tell me which system you use, what signs you have noticed and since when. I reply within one business day.

Contact me

Do you have questions about PrestaShop or OpenCart modules, product import solutions, SilverStripe, or custom PHP development?

Write to me, and I will respond promptly to help you find the best solution for your business.