Question about hacked forum

[Edifier]

What's the protocol for restoring a hacked forum? Mine isn't hacked, but I want to be prepared for the worst. Is it likely that the site files themselves would be hacked or just the database? Because the SMF 1.1.13 only lets you back up the database and not the files. If the files are hacked how do I go about restoring my forum if I didn't back those up? Because I know I would have to make a new database if I were to reinstall the forum. Just curious, I am a noob with all of this lol. Thanks!

[Illori]

most of the time the database should be fine, that is given the hacker does not get access to your database. you would just need your settings.php file and upload all the files the large upgrade package and you will up and running again with clean files.

[kat]

Best protocol is to backup, regularly.

When you DO backup, don't overwrite the previous backup, in case you're backing-up a forum that's been compromised, without you realising it.