Malware Scanning to Find and Remove Threats From Your Website

We start with a backup. Before scanning or changing anything, we take a full copy of files and the database, even if the site seems infected, so that we can compare and recover if cleaning goes wrong. We also note the current state: the WordPress version, plugin and theme list, user accounts and recent changes.

The scan uses a mix of methods. Server-level or plugin-based scanners compare core WordPress files with the official versions, flag files that do not belong, search for known malicious patterns and check for suspicious permissions and recently modified files. We examine the uploads folder for scripts that should not be there, review scheduled tasks and look in the database for injected links, hidden redirects and unknown administrator accounts.

Next we review the findings by hand. Automated tools produce false alarms, such as legitimate code that looks unusual, and they can miss new threats. We separate real problems from harmless items, identify the likely entry point from logs and timestamps and decide what must be removed, replaced or repaired.

Cleaning follows a careful order. We put the site into maintenance mode if needed, replace core files with clean copies, reinstall plugins and themes from trusted sources, remove malicious code and unknown users, clean the database and reset passwords and security keys. Where infection is deep, rebuilding from a clean backup and reimporting content may be safer than patching.

Afterwards we harden the site. We update everything, remove unused plugins and themes, set correct file permissions, enable two-step verification for admins, limit login attempts, add a firewall where appropriate and confirm that backups work. If the site was flagged by search engines or browsers, we help request a review, although the timing and decision are in their hands.

Finally we report. You receive a plain summary of what was found, what was done, how the attacker probably got in and what to do going forward. We recommend a schedule of regular scans, weekly or daily depending on risk, and we offer to run them for you. We cannot promise that a site will never be attacked again, but a clean site with sensible protection is far harder to break. See also backup and disaster recovery planning.

We confirm scope and price in writing. The main factors are:

• Site size and number of sites.
• Scan frequency, one-time or scheduled.
• Whether infection exists, since clean-up takes more effort.
• Hardening work required.
• Reporting and follow-up.

Security plugin or firewall subscriptions are paid to the providers and are separate from our fee. A preventive scan of a small site is quick. A badly infected site with many backdoors takes longer, and we give a clear estimate after a first assessment.

Tell us about your site and any symptoms, and we will reply with a plan and a quote.

Prevention habits make scanning far more effective. We recommend keeping WordPress, themes and plugins updated promptly, deleting anything unused, buying software only from trusted sources and never installing nulled copies of paid products. We also advise using a unique, long password for every account, a password manager and two-step verification for administrators. Staff computers should be kept updated and free of malware, since a compromised laptop can leak website logins.

Hosting configuration plays a role. File permissions that are too open, outdated PHP versions, shared accounts that mix several sites and accounts with weak control panel passwords all raise risk. If several sites share one hosting account, an infection in one can spread to the others, so cleaning must cover them all. We check these points and recommend separation where it makes sense.

A web application firewall can block many common attacks before they reach the site, filter bad traffic and limit brute-force login attempts. It is not a replacement for updates or scanning, but it adds a useful layer. We explain the options, which include plugin-based, host-provided and cloud-based firewalls, and help you choose according to your site and budget.

Spam injections deserve a special mention. Some attacks add hidden links or pages that only search engines see, which can damage rankings and trigger warnings in search results. We check for cloaked content, strange URLs in the sitemap and unexpected pages in Search Console, and we guide cleanup and reindexing once the site is safe again.

If customer data may have been exposed, quick, honest action matters. We help you understand what data the site holds, which parts might have been reached and what to tell customers. Legal and regulatory duties vary, so we encourage you to seek proper advice. Our role is to establish technical facts, close the gap and give you a clear record of what happened.

Ongoing scanning is set up so that alerts reach the right person. A weekly report that nobody reads is little use, so we agree who receives results, what counts as urgent and what we will do when a scan raises a flag. For stores and sites that collect personal data, we suggest more frequent scans and quick review of any alert, because the cost of delay is higher.

We keep records of each scan and each clean-up. A log of what was found, which files changed and what was done makes later problems easier to understand, and helps if you need to show your host, insurer or customers that you acted responsibly. These records are kept securely and shared only with the people who need them.

Reinfection checks are part of follow-up. A few days after a clean-up we scan again, review the logs for unusual activity and confirm that no new admin users or modified files have appeared. If anything returns, it usually means a backdoor or a weak credential was missed, and we continue the investigation until the cause is found.

For agencies and freelancers who manage several client sites, we can help set a standard security routine so that each site receives the same checks. Consistency is protective, because attackers often target the neglected site in a portfolio. We document the routine so that it survives staff changes.

See also website security, hosting, domains and security, website maintenance and support or contact us.