How to Scan your WordPress Website for Malware
If you’re reading this, I assume you either have a website or are building one. Or maybe you’re the person who found this blog and wants to improve their web security.
You clicked on a link, entered info, and were pleased to learn you have malware. But now what? Most people don’t know where to start when it comes to removing malware from their sites. Hopefully, this post will help.
Start With The Basics
It’s important to first understand what malware is and what it does. Malware is short for malicious software and usually refers to software that interrupts or monitors the functioning of programs or machines without permission.
When you install malware on your computer, you’re probably going to see some annoying ads, slow down your computer’s performance, or even get infected with a virus. These are all common symptoms of malware.
Usually, malware has something to do with advertising. The most popular family of malware is called ‘adware’ and it’s usually bundled with free software. When you download and install an app or game, you might also get ‘bundled malware’ along with it. Most people don’t know how exactly these advertisements get on their phones. They either click on a wrong link or get a free version of a program accidentally. But either way, they end up with malware on their phones.
Don’t Ignore The Signs
Once you’ve learned what malware is, it’s time to learn what to look out for. If your website starts acting weird or if you notice anything unusual, don’t assume it’s just because your site is getting a large amount of traffic. Instead, check your site’s logs and error reports to see what’s causing the issue. This way, you can find out whether or not this is a problem that can be fixed with a little bit of coding.
If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of a log or error report, don’t worry. Most hosting services, including WordPress, have advanced tools built in. All you need to do is ask your host to help you access those tools.
Once you have the logs and error reports, take some time to read through them. See if anything stands out. If you’re not sure what some of the entries mean, ask your host or a technical support representative for help.
Remove The Malware
The first step in dealing with malware is removing it. This means you either remove it from your computer or mobile devices (if it’s mobile malware) and/or you remove it from your website. There are several different ways to remove malware. You might want to start by trying the most basic way and if that doesn’t work, try a different method. Luckily, we have some great tools that make removing malware easier than ever before.
The first step in removing malware is to make sure you don’t have any unwanted programs installed. If you followed the advice in the previous step and started with the basics, this should already be the case. There are a few exceptions – like an anti-virus program or a security suite – but for the most part, you’re good to go. If you have any doubts, simply reboot your device and start from scratch.
Once you have a clean slate, it’s time to remove the malware. You can do this by downloading removal tools from the vendor of the malware. Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can manually remove the malware using tools such as Reimage. Just be careful not to remove everything related to the program you needed in the first place. Sometimes, this can result in data loss or damage to your device.
If none of these methods work, you might want to contact your hosting provider or a professional security service. They can help you remove the malware and secure your site against future attacks.
Keep Your WordPress Website Safe
Now that you’ve removed the malware, it’s time to keep your WordPress website safe. This is a step that many people neglect until their site is already infected. While it’s good to clean up and remove any garbage on your site, it’s also important to keep it safe and secure. This means blocking unauthorized users, keeping your site clear of malware, and fixing any vulnerabilities before they can be used by hackers.
If someone asks for help with hacking your site or tries to get unauthorized access to it, deal with the issue immediately. Most likely, they’re trying to perform a cyber attack and it’s your job to stop them. If you don’t know how, ask a professional. They’ll be able to help you secure your site and stop these attacks before they can do any damage.
Keeping your WordPress website safe is a lot easier than you think. First, install the Sucuri security software and then configure it to automatically update your WordPress site. Then, you’ll need to remember to backup your blog at least once a week. Last but not least, activate the two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This will require you to enter a code that is sent to your phone when you login. It’s a simple process but it can stop a lot of hacks and illegal activity on your site. If you don’t have two-factor authentication, it’s highly recommended that you get it. There are a lot of great providers that can set that up for you. For more information, visit this website.
If you want to scan and clean your WordPress website for malware and vulnerabilities, use this free program from Bitdefender. Not only will it scan and clean your site for any malware, it will also protect it from future attacks. Don’t worry, Bitdefender won’t slow down the website’s performance in any way. Plus, there are no limits on how many sites you can scan and clean at a time. Just remember to download the latest version before you use the program.
Additional Reading
If you’re interested, there are a few more helpful articles on this topic. If you’re running a WP Engine blog and you need help, this FAQ article is a great place to start. It has answers to the most frequently asked questions related to WordPress security. And if you’re looking for an in-depth reference, the SANS Institute has a whole course on WordPress Security. However, for now, it’s important to just know that you don’t need to be a security expert to keep your WordPress website safe.
If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading! And if you found this article valuable, be sure to read our guides on how to backup and restore a WordPress website, how to choose a hosting service, and how to create a blog.