How to Prevent and Remove Malware in a WordPress Site?
Tags: wordpress, malware, development
Published: 2022-08-02 07:58:50


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<p>WordPress has been a sought-after platform, helping users build and host their websites. Gaining global recognition, it is one of the most trusted Content Management Systems amongst business owners.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Stats suggest that over 43% of all websites in the world are powered by WordPress. <em>(Source: WordPress Market Share, Kinsta). </em>This makes it a key target for potential hackers, putting your WordPress website at risk of malware!</p>
<p>The fear of your system catching malware, or malicious software, persists whether you build a WordPress website yourself or <a href="https://www.capitalnumbers.com/wordpress.php"><strong>hire dedicated WordPress developers</strong></a> for it. Thus, it is essential for you to not only remove these disruptive programs from your WordPress site but also prevent them in the first place.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here is a complete guide on how to effectively prevent and remove malware from your WordPress website today.&nbsp;</p>
<h1><strong> Effective Ways to Prevent Malware in WordPress&nbsp;</strong></h1>
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<h3><strong><strong>Constant Site Updations</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>Regular website updations ensure that you have up-to-date security systems to prevent malware. Along with your WordPress site, keep updating your themes and plugins to implement the latest anti-virus security measures.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Securing The Login Page</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>WordPress tends to have a vulnerable login page, but with proactive considerations, you can avoid the fear of malware. To secure your login page, you must have a strong username and password. Do not keep your username as &lsquo;admin&rsquo; since it is the most common record and can be easily cracked by bots and hackers.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Frequent Backups</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>While backups are usually helpful when removing malware from your system, it is always better to have frequent backups of your website as a preventive measure. This can help restore your saved version if you witness a malware attack.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Install a WordPress Security Plugin</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>A WordPress security plugin acts as a protective shield that safeguards your website from all corners. Choose plugins like Sucuri Security, Wordfence Security, or All In One WP Security &amp; Firewall that offer automatic backups and effective malware scanners. You can also <strong>hire dedicated WordPress developers </strong>to help you set up your website securely and install all the necessary plugins.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong> Critical Steps to Remove Malware from Your WordPress Site</strong></h2>
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<h3><strong><strong>Take Backup of Your Database</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>Backing up your entire database, files, and folders is vital to start your system&rsquo;s malware removal process. Use the WordPress backup plugin if you can log into your account. You can also go to Tools &gt; Export and export an XML file of your website content.</p>
<p>If your website content is extremely large, it is better to download the zip file of your wp-content folder using the web host&rsquo;s File Manager.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Closely Examine The Downloaded Files</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>After taking the backup, you must closely examine all your downloaded data. Check for suspicious files in your database and run through all the folders containing your core website content.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Make sure to check files, including the wp-config.php file, .htaccess file, and wp-content folder, since these hold your most sensitive data.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Delete Files in the public_html folder</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>Once you have checked for a successful and complete backup, go ahead and delete all the files in the public_html folder. This will likely get you rid of all the hacked files and folders.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Reinstall WordPress and Reset Your Passwords</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>After deleting all the unwanted files, you can go ahead and reinstall WordPress. If WordPress was originally installed in an add-on domain, consider reinstalling it in a subdirectory; else, you can directly get it back in the public_html directory.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The next step is to log into your site account and reset all your passwords. Visit Settings &gt; Permalinks and click Save Changes to restore your .htaccess file. This will help get your site URLs back in action.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Reinstall Plugins and Themes</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>Always make sure to reinstall plugins and themes from a fresh download. Never bring back your old plugins since they still pose a threat of malware. If you had opted for <strong>WordPress development services </strong>before, you can reach out to them again and check for the exact plugins and theme settings to replicate.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Upload Images from The Backup</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>This is the most crucial step of your restoration process. You must get all your old image files copied in your new wp-content &gt; uploads folder, excluding any hacked folders. Scan through folders for each month and year to make sure they only contain image files and no unwanted PHP/JavaScript files.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong><strong>Scan Your Computer</strong></strong></h3>
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<p>Lastly, scan your system thoroughly for any virus or malware. This can be your last checkpoint, and beyond this, your WordPress site is free from any harmful files.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Wrapping Up</strong></h2>
<p>While you can efficiently remove malware from your WordPress site, it is better to build a secured website in the first place. This makes your site less vulnerable and reduces the risk of a potential malware attack.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you wish to build a secured WordPress website, dedicated <strong>WordPress development services </strong>can help you. They navigate through your challenges and provide effective website solutions. Wondering whom to trust? Capital Numbers has got you covered!</p>
<p>Being a leading offshore web development company, **Capital Numbers** provides best-in-class website development services at affordable prices. Having the right skills and knowledge, their expert professionals understand your needs and assist in building effective websites with the latest anti-malware systems. <a href="https://www.capitalnumbers.com/contact-us.php">Schedule a call with them</a> and get started today!</p>