No choice but to start over?

No way , what is happened ?

A file (or files) on your site at https://electroniccigarettesstop.com have been changed. Please review the report below to verify changes are not the result of a compromise.

Files Deleted

wp-content/cache/supercache/electroniccigarettesstop.com/e-cig-reviews/index.html.gz along with 10 others

it also gives me the date they were modified and gives me a Hash File for each that’s been deleted. Along with files added

Scan Time: Monday, May 26th 7:14 pm UTC
Files Added: 12
Files Deleted: 8
Files Modified: 3
Memory Used: 34.74 MB

I can still get to the website. https://electroniccigarettesstop.com it’s just when I add /wp-admin so I can get into the back office, it gives me a 404 Error.

As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”

I need to chant that daily in meditation LOL

For future reference; you should always backup your database before installing any plugin that makes major changes to your site. When dealing with security plugins, add your .htaccess and wp-config.php files to that list of backups.

The least amount of technical leg-work to fix your issue would be to contact your web host and see if they can restore a backup of your database and site files to a time before you installed the plugin.

Aside from that, I am guessing it likely requires manually changing some code in your htaccess file…of which there is no blanket fix for without seeing it. The plugin developer will need to address this with you (it’s a free plugin, so remember support will be given when they can).

Please note /wp-admin will not work once you have custom slug set to hide backend. It will only work if you are already logged in through custom slug URL. You must use your custom URL to login, that’s why when you visit wp-admin right now, it gives you 404.

Also, any files in wp-content/cache/supercache/ directory are caches, they will be deleted as cache is cleared and created. That’s nothing out of the ordinary.

Thanks to all for your insight, opinions and suggestions. I guess I have no choice but to come up with a new domain name and start over. Life is full of hard lessons. In the future, stay away from plugins.

Dude you can still resolve this. Find the hidden admin path.

I appreciate your encouragement, master412160. I don’t know how to find the hidden admin path if I can’t get into the back office.

I’m not an IT or master of internet code. I just want to save my business.

Look inside htaccess file. There’s a few lines of code that specify your hidden URL:

# BEGIN Hide Backend
 # Rules to hide the dashboard
 RewriteRule ^/hidden-url/?$ /wp-login.php [QSA,L]
# END Hide Backend

If you look at the above code, it has /hidden-url/ part. That’s your hidden backend. So it would be: domain.com/hidden-url

A simpler option is to simply open your .htaccess file, and make sure you only have default WordPress rules (see below). Then your wp-login.php should work again. At least try it.

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

Starting from scratch right now is equivalent to cutting off your arm because your cat scratched you.

@oldmizer – I found your login page: https://electroniccigarettesstop.com/wplogin – This is the default login slug that the plugin changes it to if you check the box to hide the backend.

Plugins are safe, but you just need to pay attention to details when setting them up.

@ Chris F. !!! Thank you, SO much!!

I got IN! This small favor of your wisdom will return to you a thousand fold Chris!

Thanks to everybody else for their input and suggestions also. I will find out what the definition of a htaccess file is as well.

Bless all of you!

You’re very welcome! Glad it was a simple solution ??