How To Remove Malware From A WordPress Website

WordPress is a popular content management system used by millions of websites across the internet. With its open-source nature, flexibility, and vast collection of plugins and themes, it has become a favorite platform for website owners and developers. However, with popularity comes the risk of being a target for cybercriminals, who use various means to attack and hack websites. This blog post will provide you with a guide on how to remove malware from a WordPress website. If your website has been compromised by cybercriminals don’t panic we can help you to get your business back online. Take a look at the hacked website repair and cleanup service we offer which guarantees to fix and secure your website.

What is Malware

Malware is short for malicious software, which is any software designed to harm, damage, or exploit computer systems or networks. Malware can take various forms, including viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and others. Hackers use malware to gain unauthorized access to systems, steal sensitive information, hijack WordPress websites, and more.

Malware attacks on WordPress websites can have severe consequences which include

  • Steal sensitive information from your website or your visitors, such as usernames, passwords, credit card information, or other personal data.
  • Redirect your website visitors to malicious websites, phishing scams, or other harmful content.
  • Inject spam links or advertisements into your website, harming your website’s SEO and reputation.
  • Deface or take down your website, causing severe damage to your online presence.

Types of Malware

There are various types of malware, each with its unique characteristics. Below are some of the most common types of malware that can infect WordPress websites

  1. Viruses: A virus is a type of malware that spreads by infecting other files on a computer system. When a file infected with a virus is opened or executed, the virus spreads to other files, causing damage to the system.
  2. Trojans: A Trojan is a type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software, but once installed, it gives attackers access to the system, allowing them to steal sensitive information or damage the system.
  3. Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a computer system, making them inaccessible to the user. Attackers demand a ransom to provide the decryption key, usually in the form of cryptocurrency.
  4. Adware: Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted ads or pop-ups on a computer system. Adware can be annoying and can slow down the system.
  5. Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware that secretly collects information about the user and sends it to the attacker. This information can include keystrokes, passwords, and browsing history.

How To Remove The Malware From A WordPress Site

The following provides you with the general steps you can follow to remove the malware from your WordPress website

Step 1: Identify the Malware

The first step in removing malware from a WordPress website is identifying the malware. There are many ways that malware can infect your website, including through vulnerable plugins, themes, and outdated software. Some common signs of malware on a WordPress website include

    • Unusual website behavior, such as slow loading times or unexpected pop-ups.
    • Unwanted ads or redirects.
    • Unauthorized changes to website content.
    • Suspicious files or scripts on your website.

To identify the malware, you can use a variety of tools, such as Google Safe Browsing, Sucuri SiteCheck, or Norton Safe Web. These tools can scan your website and alert you to any suspicious files or behavior.

Step 2: Back up Your Website

Before you start removing the malware, it is important to back up your website. This is to ensure that if anything goes wrong during the removal process, you will still have a copy of your website that you can restore. There are many backup plugins available for WordPress, such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.

Step 3: Update WordPress and Plugins

Outdated software is one of the most common ways that malware can infect a WordPress website. Therefore, it is important to update WordPress and all plugins to the latest version. This will ensure that any known vulnerabilities are patched and the website is more secure.

Step 4: Remove Infected Files

Once you have identified the malware and backed up your website, you can start removing infected files. You can use a file manager in cPanel or an FTP client to access your website’s files. Look for any suspicious files or directories, such as files with random names, directories with strange characters, or files that are not part of WordPress core or a plugin/theme. Delete any files or directories that you suspect are malware.

Step 5: Scan Your Website

After removing the infected files, you should scan your website again to ensure that there are no remaining malware infections. You can use a malware scanner plugin, such as Wordfence or Sucuri Security, to scan your website for malware. These plugins can also help you identify any vulnerabilities in your website and provide recommendations for improving security.

Step 6: Change Passwords

Malware can sometimes gain access to your website by stealing passwords. Therefore, it is important to change all passwords associated with your website, including WordPress login, hosting, and FTP passwords. Choose strong passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Step 7: Harden Your WordPress Website Security

To prevent future malware infections, you should harden your website security. This includes:

Removing malware from a WordPress website can be a time-consuming and challenging task. However, by following the steps included in this malware removal guide you can successfully remove the malicious code from your website