Hacked or Offline? How to Tell if Your Website Is Under Attack
Your website just went down, and you’re not sure why. Maybe it’s a server issue. Maybe it’s a DNS misconfiguration. Or maybe it’s something worse: your site is actively being hacked or exploited. In 2025, downtime can mean more than lost sales; it can signal a breach in progress.
At HelixDesk, we help Arizona businesses quickly determine the root cause of website and server outages, especially when security is at stake. Here’s how to tell the difference between a normal outage and a cyberattack, and what to do next.
First, Check the Basics
Before assuming the worst, run through this checklist:
- Can you access the server or control panel? If your host is up but your site isn’t, the issue may be code or DNS-related.
- Can you reach the site via different networks? Try loading it on mobile data versus your office network to rule out firewall blocks.
- Check uptime monitors like UptimeRobot or Pingdom for outage logs or recent downtime alerts.
- Review recent plugin, theme, or CMS updates. A failed update can take down the frontend while leaving the server fully online.
Still offline with no explanation? It’s time to consider whether you’re under attack.
Signs You Might Be Under Attack
- Defaced homepage or strange pop-ups suddenly appear
- Redirects to unknown or malicious domains when visiting your URL
- Admin logins are locked out or access credentials are changed
- Suspicious scripts or new files show up on your server
- Site performance suddenly drops or spikes in unusual traffic from foreign IPs
- Emails from your domain start going to spam or bouncing altogether
- Unexpected pages indexed on Google with content unrelated to your business
Many attacks go unnoticed for weeks. Malware can be injected into outdated plugins or themes and sit dormant until activated. Monitoring for unexpected file changes, login attempts, or outbound traffic is critical for catching these breaches early.
Immediate Action Steps
If you suspect malicious activity, take the following steps right away:
- Disconnect the site or server from the internet to prevent further damage
- Do not restore from backup immediately; you may be copying over infected code
- Contact your hosting provider to check for logs, intrusion alerts, or notices
- Run malware scans using a trusted tool like Wordfence, ImunifyAV, or Sucuri
- Call HelixDesk Emergency Support for forensic investigation and secure restoration
Fast action reduces damage, downtime, and data loss. The longer malware remains active, the more likely it will be indexed by search engines or flagged by antivirus providers, damaging your brand and SEO rankings.
Prevention Starts with Visibility
Most SMBs don’t monitor their websites closely until it’s too late. That’s why proactive monitoring, web application firewalls (WAF), and endpoint protection are no longer optional. Regular patching, CMS updates, and server hardening can prevent most attacks before they happen.
Our Cybersecurity and Compliance Services include real-time monitoring, breach detection, and incident response plans tailored to your infrastructure, whether you run WordPress, cPanel, or a custom app stack. We also offer website hardening, log analysis, and ongoing threat monitoring for high-risk sites or ecommerce platforms.
Outage or Breach? We’ll Help You Know the Difference
If your website is down and you don’t know why, don’t wait to find out the hard way. We’ll help you diagnose the root cause and restore service safely and securely. Even if you’re not a current HelixDesk client, our team can jump in and assist with containment, cleanup, and restoration.
Call HelixDesk before you reload your site, restore your backups, or pay for forensic cleanup. We’ll help you respond the right way, fast.