Suspect your Linux server has been compromised?
We determine what happened, contain the incident, recover affected services, and decide whether the server can be safely cleaned or should be rebuilt from a known-clean environment.
What usually gives it away
One suspicious file rarely tells the whole story — we investigate the wider Linux environment before deciding on the recovery approach.
One vulnerable install can become a server-wide problem
Especially on servers hosting multiple websites, where one compromised installation may affect other accounts or services. We review compromised WordPress installs, malicious PHP files, suspicious admin accounts, server-side malware, unusual processes and affected hosting accounts together.
The visible symptom is rarely the whole incident
May include persistence mechanisms, added cron jobs, stolen credentials, background processes and extra access paths beyond the visible infection.
Hacked WordPress, stolen mailbox credentials, malicious PHP, or a compromised hosting account — we find the source and restore control of mail.
Unknown logins, unauthorised keys, new users, privilege escalation or modified SSH config — treated seriously, always.
Redirects, injected ads, fake login pages, malicious JS, hidden PHP files, modified .htaccess.
One website, one account, several, or the whole server?
On multi-site hosting (HestiaCP, DirectAdmin, cPanel & WHM, VestaCP), the compromise may be limited or may have spread. We determine which case you’re actually in before deciding what to do — that scope defines the entire recovery plan.
High load without normal traffic, unknown processes, unusual outbound connections, or processes that keep restarting after being killed — we check whether it’s a normal application issue or a security incident.
Providers may restrict or suspend a server over spam, malware, scanning or attacks against other systems. We investigate and help gather the technical information needed to respond — and confirm the activity has stopped before the server goes back to production.
Fix the cause before requesting removal
Removing an IP from a blacklist without correcting the actual compromise usually just brings the same problem back. We review mail activity, compromised accounts, hacked websites, server processes, and DNS/mail configuration before anything else.
Clean the server, or rebuild it?
A limited website infection can sometimes be cleaned safely. In more serious incidents, the operating system itself may no longer be trustworthy. A clean rebuild tends to be the safer option when there’s evidence of:
- root-level compromise
- unknown system modifications
- persistent unauthorised access
- extensive malware
- compromised SSH credentials
- multiple affected services
We help evaluate the situation and recommend the safer recovery path — not the fastest-looking one.
Moving forward without carrying the compromise along
Website files, databases, email data, configuration and customer files — reviewed carefully before moving into a clean environment. A backup is only useful if it doesn’t restore the same compromise.
The most recent backup may already contain the malicious files. We check which backups exist, how old they are, and whether any predate the compromise before restoring anything.
Dedicated WordPress malware removal
For incidents limited to WordPress: infected file investigation, core review, plugin and theme review, malicious admin accounts, database inspection, permissions and security recommendations.
Depending on the extent of the compromise. If it extends to the Linux server itself, it’s handled as a broader server security incident instead.
Security Hardening
Appropriate to the actual server, not a generic checklist.
Emergency, or standard follow-up work
Emergency Support — active malware distribution, spam being sent, services down, or ongoing unauthorised access.
Out-of-Hours Emergency — evenings, weekends, holidays.
Standard Support — non-critical review, security config, post-incident checks, hardening, log review, backup planning.
Emergency assistance subject to administrator availability. Full pricing →
A few details speed up the investigation
More than 22 years of practical experience with Linux servers, hosting infrastructure, WordPress, email, backups and production environments. When a server has been compromised, the objective isn’t simply to remove a suspicious file.
We determine the extent of the incident, recover the affected services, and help establish a clean, trustworthy environment again.
Think your server has been compromised?
Tell us what you’re seeing — we’ll help you figure out what actually happened.