Title: syntax error Last modified: August 20, 2016 --- # syntax error * [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/) * I’m getting the following error code when I try to load the homepage for the blog… * mcblogger.com * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘?’ in /nfs/c07/h01/mnt/102316/domains/ mcblogger.com/html/wp-blog-header.php on line 20 * when I try wordpress.mcblogger.com I get the same thing on line 18. * When I try to load the admin panel, same thing but on line 60. * I’m really inexperienced with coding so I have never touched the source. I have no idea what’s wrong, apparently can’t get in to fix and my host is saying, basically,‘ It’s all you, bubba’. * Has anyone encountered this before? Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) * Moderator [cubecolour](https://wordpress.org/support/users/numeeja/) * (@numeeja) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762576) * Was it working before? * If so what changed between the site working and getting the error? * ie did you perform any of the following – - WordPress Version update? - Change Theme? - Edit a theme file? - Install a plugin? - Update a plugin? - Change any Settings? * Thread Starter [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762581) * yes, as recently as Sunday. I loaded a post and that was all. Haven’t updated theme, plugins or anything in months. * Thread Starter [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762676) * Sorry, should have been more clear. The site was working fine within the last few days and no I haven’t updated anything in a long time. * Moderator [cubecolour](https://wordpress.org/support/users/numeeja/) * (@numeeja) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762687) * Can you connect by ftp to your site and look for the index.php (at the same level as the wp-content folder) copy & paste the content of that file into a [pastebin](http://pastebin.com/)& post a link to your pastebin. * Thread Starter [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762689) * Sure…I can get in through the host’s admin tools. I have full access to all that. Here’s the [link](http://pastebin.com/Dr0408pf). * Moderator [cubecolour](https://wordpress.org/support/users/numeeja/) * (@numeeja) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762695) * Unfortunately if you run the extra stuff at the end of the file though an unescape utility (such as [http://www.linkedresources.com/tools/unescaper_v0.2b1.html](http://www.linkedresources.com/tools/unescaper_v0.2b1.html)) you will see that your site has been hacked and the failed attempt by the hacker to display their stuff in an iframe has resulted in the site getting munged. * You need to clean up your site. Start by replacing the files with clean copies. If you have recent backups this will be much easier. * You should find these resources helpful: * [http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_My_site_was_hacked](http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_My_site_was_hacked) [http://wordpress.org/support/topic/268083#post-1065779](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/268083#post-1065779) [http://smackdown.blogsblogsblogs.com/2008/06/24/how-to-completely-clean-your-hacked-wordpress-installation/](http://smackdown.blogsblogsblogs.com/2008/06/24/how-to-completely-clean-your-hacked-wordpress-installation/) [http://ottopress.com/2009/hacked-wordpress-backdoors/](http://ottopress.com/2009/hacked-wordpress-backdoors/) * Additional Resources: [http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/](http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/) [http://www.unmaskparasites.com/](http://www.unmaskparasites.com/) [http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/03/wordpress-understanding-its-true-vulnerability.html](http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/03/wordpress-understanding-its-true-vulnerability.html) * Hardening WordPress [http://www.studiopress.com/tips/wordpress-site-security.htm](http://www.studiopress.com/tips/wordpress-site-security.htm) * Thread Starter [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762704) * a hacker who wanted to load a porn site. * 1) THANK YOU:)! 2) Could I just pull the scripts out of the index files? I’ll delete his admin access and change the PW’s within about 20 minutes. 3) What resources would you recommend to use in the real world to find the hacker? * Moderator [Jan Dembowski](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jdembowski/) * (@jdembowski) * Forum Moderator and Brute Squad * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762705) * > 2) Could I just pull the scripts out of the index files? I’ll delete his admin > access and change the PW’s within about 20 minutes. * Nope. You need to close the door the attacker entered in via. Just deleting that code sets you up for a long game of whack-a-mole. * Those links cubecolour put there are a good read to solve this. * > 3) What resources would you recommend to use in the real world to find the > hacker? * None at all! If you feel strongly about it then consider contacting local law enforcement. But considering how The Bad Guys™ use other dupes PCs as places to launch attacks from, you’ll not find the right guys. * Thread Starter [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * (@mcblogger) * [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762714) * Jan and Michael… I can’t thank you enough! Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) The topic ‘syntax error’ is closed to new replies. * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 9 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [mcblogger](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mcblogger/) * Last activity: [14 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/syntax-error-38/#post-2762714) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics