{"id":19343,"date":"2026-01-09T07:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T05:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/?p=19343"},"modified":"2026-01-09T08:34:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T06:34:54","slug":"post-wordpress-website-hack-security-rehardening-process-step-by-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/post-wordpress-website-hack-security-rehardening-process-step-by-step\/","title":{"rendered":"Post WordPress Website Hack \u2013 Security Rehardening Process (Step-by-step)"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1767937949030{margin-bottom: 60px !important;}&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Here&#8217;s our step-by-step process to resecure and reharden a WordPress website post-hack, or post-malware:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Backup\"><\/span>1. Backup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Install <a href=\"https:\/\/teamupdraft.com\/updraftplus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Updraft+<\/strong><\/a> plugin and backup the site.<\/li>\n<li>Update all plugins, theme and WordPress.<\/li>\n<li>Delete all unnecessary plugins and themes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Security\"><\/span>2. Security<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][toggles style=&#8221;default&#8221; accordion=&#8221;true&#8221; accordion_starting_functionality=&#8221;closed&#8221; border_radius=&#8221;10px&#8221;][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;1. Change User Passwords&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Change passwords or send password resets for all users with admin, editor, shop, and author access.<\/p>\n<p>This can be done manually by going to the Users section of the WordPress backend, or alternatively, this will be done automatically if you use Malcare when doing a Malware Removal.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/post-wordpress-website-hack-security-rehardening-process-step-by-step\/#1_Backup\" >1. Backup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/post-wordpress-website-hack-security-rehardening-process-step-by-step\/#2_Security\" >2. Security<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/post-wordpress-website-hack-security-rehardening-process-step-by-step\/#3_Testing_Backup\" >3. Testing &amp; Backup<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;2. Remove obsolete WP users&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<ol>\n<li>Avoid having a user with the username &#8220;admin&#8221; as this is a default username which hackers know to exploit.<\/li>\n<li>Delete all unnecessary users.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure all users have strong passwords.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;3. Hide WordPress login URL&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Ensure the website backend login URL is hiddent with a different URL.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, you can configure this setting using <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/admin-site-enhancements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE)<\/strong><\/a> by Bowo. If not, you can use a specific plugin for this called <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wps-hide-login\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>WPS Hide Login.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Replace the \/wp-admin login url with something unique &#8211; for example: \/secure<\/p>\n<p>After a website hack where a malicious user has logged into the backend, you must change the backend login URL, and then advise all of the legitimate website administrators.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;4. Check Firewall Configuration&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Check to see if the Firewall is configured correctly and working actively.<\/p>\n<p>If the website is on one of our website maintenance plans, login to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malcare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Malcare<\/strong><\/a> account and apply Geoblocking for the countries where you notice attacks coming from. <strong>Be careful <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">not to block<\/span> United States<\/strong> as this may cause certain functions of the website not to work. Also be careful not to block countries that may contain genuine website visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a list of countries known for website hacks:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Belarus<\/li>\n<li>Bulgaria<\/li>\n<li>Cambodia<\/li>\n<li>China<\/li>\n<li>Indonesia<\/li>\n<li>Iran<\/li>\n<li>Lithuania<\/li>\n<li>Myanmar<\/li>\n<li>Nigeria<\/li>\n<li>North Korea<\/li>\n<li>Philippines<\/li>\n<li>Romania<\/li>\n<li>Russia<\/li>\n<li>Syria<\/li>\n<li>Thailand<\/li>\n<li>Ukraine<\/li>\n<li>Vietnam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the website will not be on one of our maintenance plans, install <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordfence.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Wordfence<\/strong><\/a> and activate, configure and check the free firewall.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;5. Install and Setup Spam Protection&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Options:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Wp Forms:<\/strong><br \/>\nOur preferred contact form plugin is WP Forms. When using WP Forms, you can setup Google ReCAPTCHAv3. Ensure that the email <a href=\"mailto:we%61ver%62%69r%64%6Darketing@g%6Dail.%63om\">weaverbirdmarketing@gmail.com<\/a> is either used to create the Google ReCAPTCHA or made an admin collaborator.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact Form 7:\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nIf the site uses Contact Form 7 plugin for contact forms, setup Google ReCAPTCHA v3 or use the Contact Form 7 add-on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/contact-form-7-honeypot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Honeypot for Contact Form 7<\/a><\/strong>,<\/li>\n<li><strong>Optional additional Anti-Spam:<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you feel additional spam protection is required, you can install <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/akismet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Akismet<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/antispam-bee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anti-Spam Bee<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;6. Disable and\/or Delete Comments&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Most business sites don&#8217;t require comments on posts and pages. For these sites, install and setup <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/disable-comments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Disable Comments.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Apply disabling to the whole site.<\/p>\n<p>If the site requires comments, delete all spam comments and adjust the comment settings to automatically block\/hold any comment that includes a link.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;7. Login Hardening&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]<strong>1. Limit Login Attempts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is an automatic feature with Malcare. If the site doesn&#8217;t have Malcare running, you can use the following method.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Navigate to Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) via Tools &gt; Enhancements &gt; Security.<\/li>\n<li>Enable <strong>Limit Login Attempts<\/strong> to prevent brute force attacks.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>2. <strong>Disable &#8220;Admin&#8221;<\/strong> username<\/p>\n<p>3. <strong>Setup 2FA login<\/strong> for all admin, editor, shop manager, author users. This can be done from Malcare dashboard)<\/p>\n<p>4. <strong>Enforce<\/strong> strong passwords.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;8. Disable XML-RPC&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<ol>\n<li>Navigate to Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) via Tools &gt; Enhancements &gt; Security.<\/li>\n<li>Protect your site from <strong>brute force, DOS and DDOS attacks<\/strong> via XML-RPC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Nb.<\/strong> This also disables <strong>trackbacks and pingbacks.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;9. Check All Page links, Buttons and Menu&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]<strong>Automatically check<\/strong> for 404 page errors and batch redirect using Rankmaths 404 Monitor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Manually<\/strong> check the following and verify that each link\/button leads to the correct destination and that the linked content loads successfully:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Page Links:<\/strong><br \/>\nCheck all internal and external links on each page and post of the website.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buttons:<\/strong><br \/>\nClick <strong>every<\/strong> button on the site, including form submission buttons, call-to-action buttons, and interactive elements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Menu Items:<\/strong><br \/>\nTest all navigation menu items, including dropdowns, sub-menus and footer menu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;10. Visually Inspect Website&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Visually inspect the site (all pages and posts) to look for any clear visual issues.<\/p>\n<p>You can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wayback Machine tool<\/a> to check website changes by providing historical snapshots, allowing you to compare past and present versions to track design\/content evolution, and recover lost content (like deleted articles or images).[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;11. (Optional) Run Media and Database Cleaner&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Run a <strong>Media and Database Cleaner<\/strong> plugin to remove unused files and data.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/media-cleaner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Media Cleaner<\/span><\/a> (optional)<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/database-cleaner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Database Cleaner<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(optional)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be careful not to remove PDFs or other media that the website or client might be linking to via other communication methods such as email or social media.<\/p>\n<p>WordPress media cleaners pickup images that are not linked to on the website, but they don&#8217;t pickup if those media files are being utilised elsewhere on the web.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;12. Check WooCommerce settings and Payment Methods&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Check WooCommerce settings and Payment Methods to ensure the hackers have not edited\/added any settings that can steal customer card information, and check to see if any bank details listed on the site have not been changed.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;13. Change ftp &amp; MYSQL database Passwords (and SALTS)&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Change passwords for:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>ftp users<\/li>\n<li>MYSQL database<\/li>\n<li>WordPress SALTS (This can be done from within the Malcare dashboard)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If hackers are able to get their hands on your security keys and salts, they can decipher the encrypted data and hack into your account. This is why it is important to change them after a hack.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/pasting-code-into-wp-config-file.png\" alt=\"pasting code into wp-config file\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;14. (Optional) Reinstall WordPress core&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Use either File Manager in cPanel or SFTP to access your website files, and replace the following folders entirely:<\/p>\n<p>\/wp-admin<br \/>\n\/wp-includes<\/p>\n<p>You can do this without a problem, because none of your content or configurations are stored in these folders. As a matter of fact, there should not be anything in these folders that differs from the clean installations.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][toggle color=&#8221;Default&#8221; heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; heading_tag_functionality=&#8221;default&#8221; title=&#8221;15. Remove secondary WordPress installations&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]Remove secondary WordPress installations if not in use.[\/vc_column_text][\/toggle][\/toggles][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Testing_Backup\"><\/span>3. Testing &amp; Backup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>Test All Functionality.<\/li>\n<li>Create a Backup and Download it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-5-percent&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;medium_depth&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;20px&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; column_padding_type=&#8221;default&#8221; content_layout=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_type=&#8221;default&#8221;]<style id=\"wpforms-css-vars-19353\">\n\t\t\t\t#wpforms-19353 {\n\t\t\t\t--wpforms-field-size-input-height: 43px;\n--wpforms-field-size-input-spacing: 15px;\n--wpforms-field-size-font-size: 16px;\n--wpforms-field-size-line-height: 19px;\n--wpforms-field-size-padding-h: 14px;\n--wpforms-field-size-checkbox-size: 16px;\n--wpforms-field-size-sublabel-spacing: 5px;\n--wpforms-field-size-icon-size: 1;\n--wpforms-label-size-font-size: 16px;\n--wpforms-label-size-line-height: 19px;\n--wpforms-label-size-sublabel-font-size: 14px;\n--wpforms-label-size-sublabel-line-height: 17px;\n--wpforms-button-size-font-size: 17px;\n--wpforms-button-size-height: 41px;\n--wpforms-button-size-padding-h: 15px;\n--wpforms-button-size-margin-top: 10px;\n--wpforms-container-shadow-size-box-shadow: none;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t<\/style><div class=\"wpforms-container wpforms-container-full wpforms-render-modern\" id=\"wpforms-19353\"><form id=\"wpforms-form-19353\" class=\"wpforms-validate wpforms-form wpforms-ajax-form\" data-formid=\"19353\" method=\"post\" enctype=\"multipart\/form-data\" action=\"\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19343?wpforms_form_id=19353\" data-token=\"239e64f78970e363f45d824c5743afc3\" data-token-time=\"1790374707\"><div class=\"wpforms-head-container\"><div class=\"wpforms-title\">Post-Hack Re-Secure &amp; Re-Hardening Checklist<\/div><div class=\"wpforms-description\">A checklist to track the Post-Hack Resecuring & Rehardening of your website.<\/div><\/div><noscript class=\"wpforms-error-noscript\">Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.<\/noscript><div id=\"wpforms-error-noscript\" style=\"display: none;\">Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.<\/div><div class=\"wpforms-field-container\"><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_1-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-text\" data-field-type=\"text\" data-field-id=\"1\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_1\">Client Website <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">*<\/span><\/label><input type=\"text\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_1\" class=\"wpforms-field-large wpforms-field-required\" name=\"wpforms[fields][1]\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_1-error\" required><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_18-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-name\" data-field-type=\"name\" data-field-id=\"18\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_18\">Your Name <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">*<\/span><\/label><input type=\"text\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_18\" class=\"wpforms-field-large wpforms-field-required\" name=\"wpforms[fields][18]\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_18-error\" required><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_3-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-checkbox\" data-field-type=\"checkbox\" data-field-id=\"3\"><fieldset><legend class=\"wpforms-field-label\">1. Backup: <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">*<\/span><\/legend><ul id=\"wpforms-19353-field_3\" class=\"wpforms-field-required\"><li class=\"choice-1 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_1\" name=\"wpforms[fields][3][]\" value=\"Backup Stored\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_1-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_1\">Backup Stored<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-2 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_2\" name=\"wpforms[fields][3][]\" value=\"Plugins &amp; Themes Updated\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_2-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_2\">Plugins &amp; Themes Updated<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-3 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_3\" name=\"wpforms[fields][3][]\" value=\"Delete Unnecessary Plugins\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_3-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_3_3\">Delete Unnecessary Plugins<\/label><\/li><\/ul><\/fieldset><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-checkbox\" data-field-type=\"checkbox\" data-field-id=\"13\"><fieldset><legend class=\"wpforms-field-label\">2. Security Checklist: <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">*<\/span><\/legend><ul id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13\" class=\"wpforms-field-required\"><li class=\"choice-1 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_1\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Change User Passwords\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_1-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_1\">Change User Passwords<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-11 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_11\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Remove obsolete WP users\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_11-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_11\">Remove obsolete WP users<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-12 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_12\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Hide WordPress login URL\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_12-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_12\">Hide WordPress login URL<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-2 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_2\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Check Firewall Configuration\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_2-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_2\">Check Firewall Configuration<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-3 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_3\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Install and Setup Spam Protection\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_3-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_3\">Install and Setup Spam Protection<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-7 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_7\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Disable and\/or Delete Comments\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_7-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_7\">Disable and\/or Delete Comments<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-5 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_5\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Login Hardening\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_5-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_5\">Login Hardening<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-8 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_8\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Disable XML-RPC\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_8-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_8\">Disable XML-RPC<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-9 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_9\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Check All Page links, Buttons and Menu\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_9-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_9\">Check All Page links, Buttons and Menu<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-10 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_10\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Visually Inspect Website\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_10-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_10\">Visually Inspect Website<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-13 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_13\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"(Optional) Run Media and Database Cleaner\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_13-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_13\">(Optional) Run Media and Database Cleaner<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-14 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_14\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Check WooCommerce settings and Payment Methods\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_14-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_14\">Check WooCommerce settings and Payment Methods<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-15 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_15\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Change ftp &amp; MYSQL database Passwords (and SALTS)\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_15-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_15\">Change ftp &amp; MYSQL database Passwords (and SALTS)<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-16 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_16\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"(Optional) Reinstall WordPress core\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_16-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_16\">(Optional) Reinstall WordPress core<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-17 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_17\" name=\"wpforms[fields][13][]\" value=\"Remove secondary WordPress installations\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_17-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_13_17\">Remove secondary WordPress installations<\/label><\/li><\/ul><\/fieldset><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_16-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-checkbox\" data-field-type=\"checkbox\" data-field-id=\"16\"><fieldset><legend class=\"wpforms-field-label\">3. Final Steps Checklist <span class=\"wpforms-required-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">*<\/span><\/legend><ul id=\"wpforms-19353-field_16\" class=\"wpforms-field-required\"><li class=\"choice-19 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_19\" name=\"wpforms[fields][16][]\" value=\"Test All Functionality\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_19-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_19\">Test All Functionality<\/label><\/li><li class=\"choice-1 depth-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_1\" name=\"wpforms[fields][16][]\" value=\"Create a Backup and Save It\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_1-error\" required ><label class=\"wpforms-field-label-inline\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_16_1\">Create a Backup and Save It<\/label><\/li><\/ul><\/fieldset><\/div>\t\t<div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_2-container\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-text\"\n\t\t\tdata-field-type=\"text\"\n\t\t\tdata-field-id=\"2\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_2\" >Your necessary) Screenshots<\/label>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" id=\"wpforms-19353-field_2\" class=\"wpforms-field-medium\" name=\"wpforms[fields][2]\" >\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_6-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-textarea\" data-field-type=\"textarea\" data-field-id=\"6\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_6\">Additional Notes\/Comments:<\/label><textarea id=\"wpforms-19353-field_6\" class=\"wpforms-field-medium\" name=\"wpforms[fields][6]\" aria-errormessage=\"wpforms-19353-field_6-error\" aria-describedby=\"wpforms-19353-field_6-description\" ><\/textarea><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_6-description\" class=\"wpforms-field-description\">Optional<\/div><\/div><div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_11-container\" class=\"wpforms-field wpforms-field-file-upload\" data-field-type=\"file-upload\" data-field-id=\"11\"><label class=\"wpforms-field-label\" for=\"wpforms-19353-field_11\">Screenshots (if necessary)<\/label><div\n\t\tclass=\"wpforms-uploader \"\n\t\tdata-field-id=\"11\"\n\t\tdata-form-id=\"19353\"\n\t\tdata-input-name=\"wpforms_19353_11\"\n\t\tdata-extensions=\"jpg,jpeg,jpe,gif,png,bmp,tiff,tif,webp,avif,ico,heic,heif,heics,heifs,asf,asx,wmv,wmx,wm,avi,divx,mov,qt,mpeg,mpg,mpe,mp4,m4v,ogv,webm,mkv,3gp,3gpp,3g2,3gp2,txt,asc,c,cc,h,srt,csv,tsv,ics,rtx,css,vtt,mp3,m4a,m4b,aac,ra,ram,wav,x-wav,ogg,oga,flac,mid,midi,wma,wax,mka,rtf,pdf,class,tar,zip,gz,gzip,rar,7z,psd,xcf,doc,pot,pps,ppt,wri,xla,xls,xlt,xlw,mpp,docx,docm,dotx,dotm,xlsx,xlsm,xlsb,xltx,xltm,xlam,pptx,pptm,ppsx,ppsm,potx,potm,ppam,sldx,sldm,onetoc,onetoc2,onepkg,oxps,xps,odt,odp,ods,odg,odc,odb,odf,wp,wpd,key,numbers,pages,json,redux\"\n\t\tdata-max-size=\"67108864\"\n\t\tdata-max-file-number=\"1\"\n\t\tdata-post-max-size=\"67108864\"\n\t\tdata-max-parallel-uploads=\"4\"\n\t\tdata-parallel-uploads=\"true\"\n\t\tdata-file-chunk-size=\"2097152\">\n\t<div class=\"dz-message\">\n\t\t<svg  viewBox=\"0 0 640 640\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"inbox\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<path d=\"M352 173.3L352 384C352 401.7 337.7 416 320 416C302.3 416 288 401.7 288 384L288 173.3L246.6 214.7C234.1 227.2 213.8 227.2 201.3 214.7C188.8 202.2 188.8 181.9 201.3 169.4L297.3 73.4C309.8 60.9 330.1 60.9 342.6 73.4L438.6 169.4C451.1 181.9 451.1 202.2 438.6 214.7C426.1 227.2 405.8 227.2 393.3 214.7L352 173.3zM320 464C364.2 464 400 428.2 400 384L480 384C515.3 384 544 412.7 544 448L544 480C544 515.3 515.3 544 480 544L160 544C124.7 544 96 515.3 96 480L96 448C96 412.7 124.7 384 160 384L240 384C240 428.2 275.8 464 320 464zM464 488C477.3 488 488 477.3 488 464C488 450.7 477.3 440 464 440C450.7 440 440 450.7 440 464C440 477.3 450.7 488 464 488z\"\/>\n\t\t<\/svg>\n\n\t\t<span class=\"modern-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDrag &amp; Drop Files, \t\t\t\t<span>Choose Files to Upload<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<input\n\t\ttype=\"text\"\n\t\tautocomplete=\"off\"\n\t\treadonly\n\t\tclass=\"dropzone-input\"\n\t\tstyle=\"position:absolute!important;clip:rect(0,0,0,0)!important;height:1px!important;width:1px!important;border:0!important;overflow:hidden!important;padding:0!important;margin:0!important;\"\n\t\tid=\"wpforms-19353-field_11\"\n\t\tname=\"wpforms_19353_11\" \t\tvalue=\"\">\n<div id=\"wpforms-19353-field_11-description\" class=\"wpforms-field-description\">Upload any relevant screenshots for troubleshooting.<\/div><\/div><script>\n\t\t\t\t( function() {\n\t\t\t\t\tconst style = document.createElement( 'style' );\n\t\t\t\t\tstyle.appendChild( document.createTextNode( '#wpforms-19353-field_2-container { position: absolute !important; overflow: hidden !important; display: inline !important; height: 1px !important; width: 1px !important; z-index: -1000 !important; padding: 0 !important; } #wpforms-19353-field_2-container input { visibility: hidden; } #wpforms-conversational-form-page #wpforms-19353-field_2-container label { counter-increment: none; }' ) );\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.head.appendChild( style );\n\t\t\t\t\tdocument.currentScript?.remove();\n\t\t\t\t} )();\n\t\t\t<\/script><\/div><!-- .wpforms-field-container --><div class=\"wpforms-recaptcha-container wpforms-is-recaptcha wpforms-is-recaptcha-type-v3\" ><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wpforms[recaptcha]\" value=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"wpforms-submit-container\" ><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wpforms[id]\" value=\"19353\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"wpforms[time_token]\" value=\"1790374707.105860a72614ff66732e0125b3c4ac1b3fed6378c53fc26d08a2bdcefd8520da\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page_title\" value=\"\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page_url\" value=\"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19343\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"url_referer\" value=\"\"><button type=\"submit\" name=\"wpforms[submit]\" id=\"wpforms-submit-19353\" class=\"wpforms-submit\" data-alt-text=\"Sending\u2026\" data-submit-text=\"Submit for review\" aria-live=\"assertive\" value=\"wpforms-submit\">Submit for review<\/button><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/wp-content\/plugins\/wpforms\/assets\/images\/submit-spin.svg\" class=\"wpforms-submit-spinner\" style=\"display: none;\" width=\"26\" height=\"26\" alt=\"Loading\"><\/div><\/form><\/div>  <!-- .wpforms-container -->[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; row_position_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; flex_gap_desktop=&#8221;10px&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1767940389833{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}&#8221; text_direction=&#8221;default&#8221;]\n<h5>Want to know why and how WordPress websites get hacked?<\/h5>\n<p>https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/why-and-how-websites-get-hacked\/[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; 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desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19348,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[227,72,116,165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-processes-resources","category-web","category-website-maintenance","category-website-security-en-uk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19343"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19362,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19343\/revisions\/19362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/weaverbird.co.za\/en-uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}