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.

Signs Your WordPress Site is Infected

Recognizing that your WordPress site is infected with malware is the first step towards remediation. Here are some common signs:

  1. Unusual Activity: Unexpected changes or behavior in your website, such as new user accounts, modified files, or unknown scripts running.
  2. Website Defacement: Your site appears defaced or altered in a way you did not authorize.
  3. Redirection: Visitors are redirected to unknown or malicious websites.
  4. Slow Performance: Your website is suddenly slow or unresponsive.
  5. Security Warnings: Browsers or security software flag your site as unsafe.
  6. Google Blacklisting: Your site is blacklisted by Google or other search engines.
  7. Spam: Increased spammy content or links appearing on your site.

Preparing for Malware Removal

Backup Your Website

Before making any changes, it is essential to back up your entire website. This ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong during the malware removal process.

  • Manual Backup: Use an FTP client to download all files from your server and export your database using phpMyAdmin.
  • Plugins: Utilize backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator.

Set Up a Local Environment

Creating a local copy of your site to work on can prevent further damage and downtime. Tools like XAMPP or Local by Flywheel can help set up a local server environment.

Scanning for Malware

Online Malare Scanners

Use online scanners to quickly check for malware and vulnerabilities. Some popular options include:

  1. Sucuri SiteCheck: Scans for malware, blacklist status, website errors, and out-of-date software.
  2. VirusTotal: Analyzes URLs for malware and other suspicious content.
  3. Quttera: Provides in-depth scanning for malware, trojans, backdoors, and suspicious activities.

WordPress Security Plugins

Security plugins offer more in-depth scans and real-time protection. Some recommended plugins are:

  1. Wordfence: Provides endpoint firewall and malware scanner that were built from the ground up to protect WordPress.
  2. MalCare: Offers deep scanning, malware removal, and real-time protection.
  3. iThemes Security: Includes 30+ ways to secure and protect your WordPress site.

Manual Inspection

For more advanced users, manually inspecting your WordPress files and database can help identify hidden malware. Look for:

  1. Unusual PHP Files: Check for unfamiliar PHP files in your WordPress directories.
  2. Modified Core Files: Compare your core WordPress files with a clean version from the official WordPress repository.
  3. Suspicious Database Entries: Inspect your database for unusual entries, especially in the wp_options table.

Removing Malware

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Take Your Site Offline: Put your site in maintenance mode to prevent further damage and protect visitors.
  2. Delete Suspicious Files: Remove any files that you do not recognize or that you know are malicious.
  3. Replace Core Files: Replace core WordPress files with clean copies from the official WordPress repository.
  4. Clean Themes and Plugins: Reinstall all themes and plugins from trusted sources. Remove any that are not in use or that you do not recognize.
  5. Check .htaccess File: Inspect your .htaccess file for any malicious code and restore it to the default settings if necessary.
  6. Reset Passwords: Change all passwords for your WordPress admin, FTP, database, and hosting accounts.
  7. Update Everything: Ensure WordPress, themes, and plugins are all up-to-date to patch any known vulnerabilities.

Using Security Plugins for Removal

Security plugins not only help in detecting malware but also provide tools for removal. Here’s how you can use some popular security plugins:

  1. Wordfence: Use the scan feature to detect and remove malware. Follow the repair instructions for infected files.
  2. MalCare: Use the automatic malware removal feature to clean your site with a single click.
  3. iThemes Security: Utilize the malware scan feature and follow the steps to remove any detected threats.

Cleaning the Database

Malware can also reside in your database. Use the following steps to clean your database:

  1. Backup Your Database: Always back up your database before making any changes.
  2. Check for Unusual Entries: Look for suspicious entries in tables like wp_options, wp_posts, and wp_users.
  3. Remove Unwanted Users: Delete any user accounts that you do not recognize or that were added without your permission.
  4. Clean Post and Comment Tables: Check for spammy content or links in your posts and comments tables and remove them.

Post Malware Removal Steps

Verify Cleanliness

After removing the malware, it’s crucial to verify that your site is clean:

  1. Rescan Your Site: Use the security plugins and online scanners to ensure no malware remains.
  2. Check Blacklists: Verify that your site is no longer blacklisted by Google or other security services.

Restore Backups

If you have clean backups from before the infection, you can restore them. Ensure that the backups are truly clean and not compromised.

Harden Your Website Security

To prevent future infections, take steps to harden your WordPress security:

  1. Install Security Plugins: Keep security plugins like Wordfence, MalCare, or iThemes Security active.
  2. Regular Updates: Always update WordPress, themes, and plugins to the latest versions.
  3. Secure Hosting: Choose a hosting provider with robust security features.
  4. Use Strong Passwords: Implement strong passwords and change them regularly.
  5. Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
  6. Limit Login Attempts: Use plugins to limit login attempts and prevent brute force attacks.
  7. Disable File Editing: Add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to your wp-config.php file to prevent file editing from the WordPress dashboard.
  8. Regular Backups: Schedule regular backups of your website and database.

Monitor Your Website

Continuous monitoring is essential to detect any future threats promptly:

  1. Security Logs: Regularly check security logs for any unusual activity.
  2. Real-Time Monitoring: Use security plugins that offer real-time monitoring and alerts.

Conclusion

Removing malware from a WordPress website can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and tools, it can be effectively managed. By following this comprehensive guide, you can identify, remove, and prevent malware, ensuring the security and integrity of your website. Remember, ongoing vigilance and regular maintenance are key to keeping your WordPress site safe from future threats.