If your website’s been hacked, take a deep breath — you’re not alone. Website hacks happen more than most people realise, especially for small businesses in Melbourne and across Australia. At Multidice, we specialise in website development, security updates, and digital marketing services that not only fix the problem but also future-proof your online presence.
This guide is your go-to checklist if your site has been compromised — so you can act fast, limit damage, and get back online with confidence.
How to Tell If Your Website Has Been Hacked
Some hacks are obvious, while others are sneaky and can go undetected for weeks. Common signs include:
- Google Warnings: Messages like “This site may be hacked” in search results.
- Website Redirects: Users getting redirected to spammy or suspicious sites.
- Strange Pop-Ups: Ads, scripts, or login forms you didn’t add.
- Defaced Homepage: Your homepage is replaced with a hacker’s message or strange content.
- Slow Performance: Malware and malicious scripts can hog your server’s resources.
If you're a local business in Melbourne or a national company in Australia, protecting your site from these threats is crucial to customer trust and your brand’s credibility.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Site Is Hacked
1. Don’t Panic — Take It Offline
Start by putting your site in maintenance mode or taking it offline to prevent further damage. This protects users and stops search engines from blacklisting your domain. Multidice’s Melbourne-based web developers can do this quickly to minimise impact.
2. Contact Your Hosting Provider
Reach out to your web host. Many have incident response systems, backups, and malware scans. If you’re using a local Australian host, time is on your side. We often work with hosts across Melbourne and can assist with direct tech support if needed.
3. Scan Your Website for Malware
Use tools like Sucuri, Wordfence (for WordPress), or built-in cPanel malware scanners. Our website security experts in Melbourne run deep scans to identify and isolate the breach.
4. Change All Passwords
Update all login credentials — admin panel, FTP, database, and email accounts. Use strong, unique passwords. We recommend enabling 2FA (two-factor authentication) on all logins.
5. Restore a Clean Backup
If you’ve got a clean backup (from before the hack), now’s the time to restore it. Multidice offers full backup and restore services for Melbourne-based websites, so you're never stuck without a safety net.
6. Remove Malware and Malicious Code
If you don’t have a clean backup, you’ll need to manually remove the malware. This can involve deleting suspicious files, cleaning up the database, and removing unknown admin accounts. Our web developers in Australia specialise in cleaning and securing hacked websites fast.
7. Patch Vulnerabilities
Hacks often happen because of:
- Outdated CMS (e.g. WordPress, Joomla)
- Unpatched plugins or themes
- Weak passwords or admin access
- No SSL certificate or insecure forms
We provide security-focused website development in Melbourne that removes these vulnerabilities permanently.
8. Resubmit to Google for Review
Once your site is clean, go to Google Search Console and request a security review. This removes any “hacked site” labels from search results. Multidice’s digital marketing team in Australia can handle this on your behalf.
9. Monitor Your Website Continuously
Ongoing protection is key. We set up regular security audits, uptime monitoring, and alerts to catch issues before they go public.
How Multidice Helps Secure Your Website
We don’t just clean up hacks — we stop them from happening in the first place. Based in Melbourne, Multidice offers full-service website design, development, and digital marketing services with robust cybersecurity strategies built-in.
Our Security Services Include:
- Regular Updates & Patch Management: We keep your site’s software, themes, and plugins current.
- Firewall & Malware Protection: We install industry-leading security tools and scanners to protect your Australian site 24/7.
- Secure Hosting Recommendations: We help you choose reliable, secure hosting providers based in Melbourne and across Australia.
- Backup Automation: Daily backups, version control, and cloud storage to restore your site in minutes.
- HTTPS & SSL Integration: We make sure your website is encrypted and trusted by browsers.
Melbourne Businesses: Stay Ahead of Online Threats
More businesses in Melbourne are moving online than ever before. But with increased exposure comes greater risk. We help Australian brands build resilience through smart, proactive web strategies:
- Website Security Audits
- Custom WordPress Development with Security First
- Local SEO with Reputation Management
- Performance and Speed Optimisation
- eCommerce Website Security
Final Thoughts
Website hacks can be scary, but they’re fixable. With the right plan and support team, your online presence can bounce back stronger than ever. If you’re unsure what to do next, don’t DIY — reach out to the professionals. Multidice is Melbourne’s trusted partner for website recovery, development, and digital marketing services in Australia.
Has your website been hacked? Let us help you fix it and protect your business for the long haul. Get in touch with Multidice today for fast, local help from a team that gets it.
