WordPress Malware Removal: 9-Step Guide [2024]

Removing malware from your WordPress site can be daunting, but this 9-step guide will walk you through the process:

Check for Malware Infection: Look for signs of malware and use security tools to scan your site.
Isolate the Website: Put your site in maintenance mode and contact your hosting provider.
Remove Malicious Code: Clean your WordPress core files, themes, plugins, and database.
Reinstall WordPress: Install a fresh copy of WordPress while keeping your content.
Update Themes and Plugins: Update all themes and plugins to their latest versions.
Reset Passwords: Change all passwords, including WordPress admin, FTP/SSH, and database.
Secure Your Website: Install a security plugin, enable two-factor authentication, and follow best practices.
Request Website Review: If blacklisted, request a review from search engines.
Keep Your Site Secure: Maintain regular backups, updates, and security scans.

Key Takeaways:

Be patient and thorough during the removal process.
Don’t overlook any steps, as it could leave your site vulnerable.
Consider professional assistance if you’re unsure about handling the removal yourself.
Ongoing maintenance is crucial to prevent future malware infections.

Common Reasons for Reinfections	Prevention
Outdated software	Update WordPress, plugins, and themes
Weak passwords	Use strong, unique passwords
Unsecured file permissions	Set proper file permissions
Lack of security scans	Regularly scan for malware and vulnerabilities

Prepare for Malware Removal

Before removing malware from your WordPress site, it’s crucial to get ready. This step ensures you have everything in place to eliminate the malware threat effectively and safely.

Create a Website Backup

The first and most important step is to create a backup of your entire WordPress site, including all files and databases. A reliable backup will allow you to restore your site if anything goes wrong during the removal process. Use a trusted backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a comprehensive backup.

Obtain FTP/SSH Access

You’ll need FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or SSH (Secure Shell) access to your web server to inspect and modify files during the malware removal process. If you don’t have these access credentials, contact your web hosting provider to obtain them.

Install Security Scanning Tools

Install a reputable security scanning tool or plugin, such as Wordfence or Sucuri, to help detect and identify any malicious code or files on your WordPress site. These tools can provide valuable insights and assist in the malware removal process.

Gather Necessary Resources

Ensure you have access to the following resources:

Resource	Description
Clean WordPress Core Files	An uninfected version of the WordPress core files
Updated Themes and Plugins	Updated versions of all installed themes and plugins
Security Experts	A list of trusted security experts or professionals you can contact for assistance if needed

Step 1: Check for Malware Infection

Detecting malware on your WordPress site is crucial to remove the infection properly. Here are some common signs of a malware infection:

Unusual website traffic or high bandwidth usage
Slow website loading times
Suspicious files or code in your website’s directories
Unauthorized login attempts
Malware warnings from search engines or antivirus software

To check for malware, you can use security plugins or online scanners:

Scanner	Description
Wordfence	A security plugin that scans for malware, vulnerabilities, and protects against attacks
Sucuri	A plugin that offers malware scanning, vulnerability detection, and website security monitoring
Astra Malware Scanner	A free online scanner that detects malware, viruses, and other security threats

To use a security plugin or online scanner:

Install and activate the plugin or access the online scanner.
Run a full scan of your website, including all files and databases.
Review the scan results to identify infected files or database entries.
Note the malicious code or files detected, as you’ll need to remove them in the next step.

Step 2: Isolate the Website

To prevent the malware from spreading and causing more harm, it’s crucial to isolate your website. This step will help contain the infection and stop it from affecting other websites on the same server.

Put Your Site in Maintenance Mode

Place your website in maintenance mode to block users from accessing it while you remove the malware. This will also stop search engines from crawling your site and potentially indexing malicious content. You can use a plugin like WP Maintenance Mode or Ultimate Maintenance Mode to easily put your site in maintenance mode.

Contact Your Hosting Provider

Reach out to your hosting provider and inform them about the malware infection. They may be able to assist in isolating your website from others on the server, preventing the malware from spreading. They may also have additional security measures to help contain the infection.

Action	Purpose
Put site in maintenance mode	Block user access and search engine crawling
Contact hosting provider	Isolate site from others on the server
	Implement additional security measures

Step 3: Remove Malicious Code

Removing malicious code from your WordPress site is crucial to eliminate the malware infection. Follow these steps carefully to clean your core files, themes, plugins, and database:

Clean WordPress Core Files

Download the latest WordPress version from https://wordpress.org/download/
Connect to your site via FTP or File Manager and go to the root directory (public_html or www).
Delete all WordPress core files except the wp-content folder. Don’t delete wp-content as it contains your themes, plugins, and uploads.
Upload the fresh WordPress files you downloaded in step 1 to replace the deleted ones.

Clean Themes and Plugins

In your wp-content folder, delete all theme and plugin folders except those from trusted sources that you know are not infected.
Download fresh copies of your themes and plugins from trusted sources (official WordPress repository or the developer’s website).
Upload the new theme and plugin files to their respective folders in wp-content.

Clean the WordPress Database

Access your database via phpMyAdmin or a similar tool provided by your hosting provider.
Select your WordPress database and look for tables like wp_posts, wp_options, wp_comments, etc.
In each table, scan for suspicious code, base64 encoded strings, or references to malicious sites.
Delete any malicious entries you find or replace them with clean data from a recent backup.

Alternatively, you can use a plugin like WP-DBManager or WPScan to automate the database cleaning process.

Reset Security Keys

After cleaning your files and database, reset the security keys in your wp-config.php file to prevent unauthorized access and brute-force attacks.

Go to https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/ to generate new keys.
Copy the new values and replace the existing ones in your wp-config.php file.

Step 4: Reinstall WordPress

After removing the infected WordPress files, you need to install a fresh copy of WordPress to restore your site’s functionality. Follow these steps:

1. Download the latest WordPress version from https://wordpress.org/download/

2. Connect to your site via FTP or File Manager and go to the root directory (public_html or www).

3. Create a new folder, e.g., "new_wordpress", and extract the downloaded WordPress files into this folder.

4. Open the wp-config.php file in the new_wordpress folder with a text editor. Replace the database credentials with the ones from your previous wp-config.php file. This allows the new installation to connect to your existing database.

5. Copy the wp-content folder from your previous installation into the new_wordpress folder. This preserves your themes, plugins, and uploaded files.

6. Delete all existing WordPress files in the root directory, except for the wp-content folder you just copied over.

7. Move all files and folders from the new_wordpress folder to the root directory.

Step	Action
1	Download latest WordPress version
2	Connect to site via FTP/File Manager
3	Create new folder, extract WordPress files
4	Update wp-config.php with database credentials
5	Copy wp-content folder from previous installation
6	Delete old WordPress files, keep wp-content
7	Move new files to root directory

Step 5: Update Themes and Plugins

Keeping your WordPress themes and plugins updated is crucial for preventing malware reinfection and ensuring site security. Here’s why and how to do it:

Why Update?

Outdated themes and plugins can create vulnerabilities, making your site an easy target for hackers. Updating them ensures you get the latest:

Security patches
Bug fixes
Feature improvements

This reduces the risk of malware infections and keeps your site secure and stable.

How to Update

Follow these steps to update your themes and plugins:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to Appearance > Themes and check for theme updates.
Click Update Now for each theme that needs updating.
Go to the Plugins page and check for plugin updates.
Click Update Now for each plugin that needs updating.

Remove Untrusted Themes/Plugins

If you have themes or plugins from untrusted sources, remove and reinstall them from trusted sources. This ensures you’re getting clean, malware-free files.

Updating your themes and plugins significantly reduces the risk of malware reinfection, keeping your WordPress site secure and stable.

Step 6: Reset Passwords

After removing malware from your WordPress site, it’s crucial to reset all passwords to prevent unauthorized access and secure your site. Follow these steps:

Reset WordPress Admin Password
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Click your profile name in the top right corner, then "Edit My Profile"
- Scroll down to "Account Management"
- Enter a new, strong password in the "New Password" and "Repeat New Password" fields
- Click "Update Profile" to save the new password
Reset FTP/SSH and Database Passwords
Contact your web hosting provider to reset your FTP/SSH and database passwords. These credentials may have been compromised during the malware infection.
Use a Password Manager
Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. This helps prevent weak passwords that can compromise your site’s security.
Review User Accounts
Review your WordPress user accounts and remove any suspicious or unauthorized accounts to prevent malicious access.

Action	Purpose
Reset WordPress admin password	Prevent unauthorized access to your site
Reset FTP/SSH and database passwords	Secure access to your server and database
Use a password manager	Generate and store strong, unique passwords
Review user accounts	Remove suspicious accounts to enhance security

Password Reset Plugin

You can also use a plugin like Emergency Password Reset to reset all user passwords with a single click. This is a convenient option for sites with multiple users.

Resetting passwords is a crucial step in securing your WordPress site after a malware removal. It helps prevent further hacking attempts and ensures your site remains safe.

Step 7: Secure Your Website

After removing malware and resetting passwords, secure your WordPress site to prevent future infections:

Install a Security Plugin

Install a security plugin like Wordfence Security or Sucuri Security. These plugins:

Block malicious traffic with a Web Application Firewall
Scan and remove malware
Provide security hardening tips
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for logins

Configure the plugin for regular malware scans and enable security features like login limits and IP blocking.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires a second form of verification beyond just a password. Enable 2FA for all user accounts, especially administrators.

Security plugins offer 2FA integration. You can also use dedicated 2FA plugins like Two Factor Authentication or Google Authenticator.

Implement Security Best Practices

In addition to a security plugin, follow these best practices:

Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated: Updates often include security patches.
Use strong passwords: Require long, complex passwords for all accounts.
Limit login attempts: Block IP addresses after a set number of failed login attempts.
Disable file editing: Prevent unauthorized code modifications in WordPress.
Backup your site regularly: Maintain up-to-date backups to quickly restore your site if compromised.
Use a web application firewall (WAF): A WAF like Cloudflare or Sucuri can block common attacks like SQL injections, cross-site scripting, and DDoS attacks.

Best Practice	Description
Keep software updated	Updates often include security patches
Use strong passwords	Require long, complex passwords for all accounts
Limit login attempts	Block IP addresses after failed login attempts
Disable file editing	Prevent unauthorized code modifications
Backup regularly	Maintain up-to-date backups for quick restoration
Use a WAF	Block common attacks like SQL injections and DDoS

Securing your WordPress site is an ongoing process. Regularly review your security measures and stay updated on the latest threats and best practices.

Step 8: Request Website Review

After removing malware and securing your WordPress site, you need to request a review if your website was blacklisted by search engines due to the malware infection. This helps ensure your site is no longer flagged as malicious, improving its reputation and search rankings.

Request Review from Search Engines

If your site was blacklisted by search engines like Google, you’ll need to request a review once you’ve removed the malware and taken security measures. Each search engine has its own process, so follow their guidelines carefully.

For Google, log in to your Google Search Console account, select the affected website, and go to the "Security & Manual Actions" section. Click "Request a review" and provide details about the steps you took to remove malware and secure your site.

Provide Detailed Information

When requesting a review, provide detailed information about:

The malware removal process
Security measures implemented to prevent future infections
Any relevant documentation or evidence

Providing this information helps search engines understand the steps you’ve taken to secure your site and improve its reputation.

Information to Provide	Description
Malware removal process	Describe how you removed the malware
Security measures	Explain steps taken to prevent future infections
Documentation/evidence	Include any relevant files or proof

Step 9: Keep Your Site Secure

Ongoing maintenance is key to preventing future malware infections and keeping your WordPress site secure. Follow these simple steps:

Regular Backups

Regularly back up your site in case it gets compromised again. Store backups securely, like on an external drive or cloud storage. Use plugins like BackupBuddy to automate backups.

Update Software

Frequently update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Updates often include security fixes. Outdated software is an easy way for malware to get in.

Security Scans

Perform regular security scans using plugins like MalCare or Wordfence. These scans can detect threats and vulnerabilities before they cause harm.

Security Advisories

Subscribe to security advisories from WordPress, theme, and plugin developers. This keeps you informed about potential security issues.

Stay Informed

Follow trusted sources, like WordPress security blogs and experts, to learn about the latest threats and best practices.

Maintenance Schedule

Task	Frequency
Backups	Weekly or monthly
Software updates	As soon as available
Security scans	Weekly or monthly
Check advisories	Monthly
Review security news	Monthly

A Simple Summary for Removing WordPress Malware

Removing malware from your WordPress site can seem daunting, but this 9-step guide will walk you through the process. It’s crucial to follow each step carefully, as skipping any part could leave your site vulnerable to future attacks. If you’re unsure about handling the removal yourself, consider seeking professional help to ensure your site is completely malware-free.

The 9 Steps in Brief

Check for Malware Infection: Look for signs of malware and use security tools to scan your site.
Isolate the Website: Put your site in maintenance mode and contact your hosting provider.
Remove Malicious Code: Clean your WordPress core files, themes, plugins, and database.
Reinstall WordPress: Install a fresh copy of WordPress while keeping your content.
Update Themes and Plugins: Update all themes and plugins to their latest versions.
Reset Passwords: Change all passwords, including WordPress admin, FTP/SSH, and database.
Secure Your Website: Install a security plugin, enable two-factor authentication, and follow best practices.
Request Website Review: If blacklisted, request a review from search engines.
Keep Your Site Secure: Maintain regular backups, updates, and security scans.

Key Takeaways

Be patient and thorough during the removal process.
Don’t overlook any steps, as it could leave your site vulnerable.
Consider professional assistance if you’re unsure about handling the removal yourself.
Ongoing maintenance is crucial to prevent future malware infections.

FAQs

Why does my WordPress site keep getting infected?

Outdated software is a common reason for repeated infections. This includes old versions of WordPress, plugins, themes, and other software on your site. Authors often release updates to fix security issues, so it’s crucial to install the latest versions.

Other factors that can lead to reinfections:

Weak passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
Unsecured file permissions: Ensure proper file permissions to prevent unauthorized access.
Lack of security scans: Regularly scan your site for malware and vulnerabilities.

To prevent reinfections, follow these practices:

Practice	Description
Update software	Install the latest versions of WordPress, plugins, and themes
Use strong passwords	Create long, complex passwords for all accounts
Secure file permissions	Set proper file permissions to restrict access
Perform security scans	Regularly scan your site for malware and vulnerabilities

Staying up-to-date and maintaining good security habits are essential to keep your WordPress site secure and malware-free.