How to Remove Malware from a Website

Ever wondered why your website suddenly feels like it’s dragging its feet?

Or maybe you’ve noticed strange pop-ups and redirects appearing out of nowhere?

Are your visitors complaining about being redirected from your site to spammy or suspicious sites?

These are classic signs that your site might be infected with malware. It’s enough to make anyone feel a bit freaked out, but don’t worry—we’ve got your back.

The first crucial step is to scan your website.

A scan will confirm whether your website is infected with malware and ensure the overall website safety. This is vital because malware can wreak havoc if left unchecked. Malware often hides in plain sight, redirecting users, displaying inappropriate content, cutting off your access, or even stealing sensitive information.

It sounds like a nightmare, but there’s a solution. We’ll show you exactly how to remove malware from your website successfully and fix this situation.

TL;DR: Scan your website for malware and remove any infections you find using MalCare. Follow it up by clearing Google warnings and taking preventive measures to secure your site. Don’t let malware compromise your online presence—stay vigilant.

Step 1: Scan your website for malware

Before you can remove malware, the first crucial step is to identify it lurking on your site. Detecting malware early is vital because it can cause significant damage if left unchecked, affecting your site’s performance, security, and credibility.

Regular scanning for vulnerabilties can also help protect website from hackers by identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

There are several methods to scan your website for malware, and the best approach depends on your comfort level and technical expertise. We have broken them down into three main methods: using a plugin, online tools, and manual scanning.

A. Scan the site using a plugin

Start by choosing a reputable security plugin—there are many different classes of malware scanners. Think of it as fitting your website with security cameras. Your choice must have a malware scanner that scans all your files and the database. Additionally, it should be able to identify zero-day malware.

This is where MalCare comes in. It is a best-in-class malware scanner for websites. And the best thing about it: it’s free for you to try out!

Next, initiate a comprehensive scan using MalCare. The scan will check every corner of your website for any hidden threats.

Inspect the scan results for any suspicious files or activities. If MalCare flags something, your website has malware.

B. Scan the site using online tools

If plugins aren’t your thing, online tools can do a quick evaluation for you. They visit your site, like any regular user would, and identify malware, vulnerable or outdated plugins or themes, spam links, etc., by comparing them against their databases. It’s like getting a second opinion from another expert.

However, online tools cannot replace a good malware scanner. These tools cannot scan site databases or core files, nor can they detect zero-day malware. They are popular because they don’t require installation, but this is also their greatest weakness. To check a site comprehensively, a tool must be able to deep-scan it thoroughly.

Still, using an online tool is a good first-level diagnostic. Visit Sucuri’s SiteCheck website and enter your website’s URL. The scanner quickly checks the public parts of your site for malware.

You can also go to Google Safe Browsing and input your website URL. Here, you’ll find out if Google has discovered malware on your site when crawling it and blacklisted it as a result. Just to be clear though: no scanning takes place at this point. 

C. Scan the site manually

Manual scanning is for those brave souls who like to go old school or prefer hands-on approaches to site security. 

Note: Manual scanning involves accessing your site’s files and database directly and should only be attempted if you have sufficient technical knowledge. Mistakes during manual inspection can further harm your site or miss critical threats. If you are not technically adept or experienced, it’s best to avoid the manual method and stick to using plugins or online tools.

Should you still choose to take this path, here’s how you can do it:

1. Access server logs via FTP/SFTP: Use FTP/SFTP to get to your server logs. This is like combing through your website’s diary for suspicious entries.
2. Look for any unfamiliar or recently modified files: Check if any files look out of place or were recently changed. If something stands out, it might be the culprit.
3. Check for unusual scripts or code injections in your site’s files: Inspect your files for strange scripts or code injections. Do not leave a single file unchecked. Malware can be anywhere; right from the core files to plugin or theme files. 
4. Go through the site database: Malware can also be injected into the database, which has your content, pages, users, and settings. Just like with the files, you have to check every single bit of data, in every row, in every table. 

At this point, you can probably see why people opt for automated scanning. Manual scanning is free, but it comes with a cost. Every extra moment your website has malware, you are losing ground to hackers. If you miss a line of malware, hidden away in the database for instance, all your work removing it can be undone in seconds. Remnant malware is the biggest cause of reinfection in websites. 

So all things said, while each malware scanning method has its own set of advantages, choosing the right one can save you considerable time and effort.

Step 2: Remove malware from your website

If a scan has confirmed that your website is infected with malware, you must act quickly to clean it up. Removing malware is crucial to protect your data, visitors, and reputation. Luckily, you have a few options for removing these harmful files. Whether you prefer to use a plugin, hire a professional, or do it yourself manually, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

A. Clean your site using a plugin

Using a security plugin like MalCare automates the malware removal process. This simple approach is effective and quick. MalCare has a one-click malware cleaner that is not only fast but is also efficient at weeding out even the most well-hidden malware. Moreover, it learns from every site it cleans, which means your site is up-to-date and protected from all kinds of malware.

Clean your site with MalCare in 3 easy steps:

1. Get MalCare: If you haven’t already done it, install MalCare and activate it. MalCare automatically performs a thorough scan of your site to identify any malware.
2. Remove malware: Use MalCare’s one-click tool to automatically remove any detected malware.
3. Reach out to security experts: In the event of complex malware being found on your website, you have unlimited access to a team of website security experts with MalCare. Within 24 hours, your malware woes are taken care of.

B. Clean your site using a malware removal agency or specialist

If you’re uncomfortable with handling the malware yourself, consider hiring a professional. You might also need a professional’s help if the malware is too complex to be removed automatically by a security plugin.

A malware removal agency or specialist can clean your website effectively. This option is often thorough and hassle-free. On the flip side, it can be costlier and can take some time depending on the complexity of the malware and the availability of the service, which means downtime for your site.

Oh, and if you were wondering, MalCare too has security experts who can go above and beyond the already-capable security plugin and effectively clean your site!

C. Clean your site manually

If you prefer a hands-on approach and have some technical knowledge, you can remove the malware manually. Follow these steps to clean your site manually:

1. Backup your site: Before making any changes, ensure you have a recent backup of your site, just in case something goes wrong. We recommend using BlogVault for its real-time backup abilities and one-click restoration feature.
2. Delete suspicious code from files: Use FTP or cPanel File Manager to manually remove any files that seem suspicious. This means checking all your site files for strange code, unknown links, odd modification dates, etc.
3. Clean the database: Use phpMyAdmin to access and manually clean your database tables. Look for any unfamiliar entries or modifications.
4. Remove backdoors: Backdoors are hidden entry points for a hacker to re-enter your site at will, even after you think you’ve cleaned it up. Check your files and delete any common backdoor keywords like eval, preg_replace, str_replace, base64_decode, gzinflate, etc.
5. Download clean versions of your CMS, themes, and plugins: Get fresh files from trusted sources to replace infected ones.
6. Restore compromised files: Replace affected files with clean ones from your fresh downloads.
7. Recheck manually edited files: Double-check any files you edited for any remaining malicious code.
8. Clean all caches: Clear all caches on your website, along with browser caches, to ensure no malicious code lingers.

Step 3: Remove malware warnings from Google

After cleaning your site of malware, the next step is to remove any warnings that Google may display to users. These warnings can significantly impact your site’s traffic and credibility, so it’s essential to address them as quickly as possible. Moreover, resolving these warnings is crucial if your Google Ads account has been suspended, as Google may restrict ad serving due to security concerns.Here’s how to get those warnings removed:

1. Sign in to Google Search Console: Start by logging in to your Google Search Console account. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one and verify your site.
2. Navigate to Security Issues: Once you’re in, go to the Security Issues section. This is where Google lists any security problems it has found on your site.
3. Request a Review: If Google has flagged your site for malware, you will see an option to Request a Review. Click this button to let Google know that you’ve cleaned your site and want it to re-evaluate. Provide plenty of details about the steps you took to remove the malware.

What to do if your site is clean but your review request is rejected?

Occasionally, Google might reject your review request even if you think your site is clean. Here’s what to do in this case:

Note: It is in your best interest to be patient with Google’s process. Review requests are usually handled manually, and repeated follow-ups will only damage your case. 

Step 4: Protect your site from malware

Now that your site is malware-free, it’s time to fortify it against future attacks. Proactive measures are essential to keep your website secure. Here are some steps you can take to protect your site from malware:

1. Install a security plugin like MalCare. A good security plugin not only helps in removing malware but also provides continuous protection against potential threats. MalCare takes care of all your site’s security needs with its strong malware scanner and cleaner, smart firewall, and robust bot protection capabilities.
2. Regular backups are your safety net. Use tools like BlogVault to automatically back up your site. This ensures that you can restore your site quickly if anything goes wrong.
3. Ensure all user accounts on your site use strong, unique passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access.
4. Whether it’s your CMS, plugins, or themes, it is crucial to keep everything updated. Updates often include security patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
5. Use your security plugin to schedule regular scans. Frequent scans help in the early detection of any suspicious activities or potential threats.
6. Harden your website to make it more secure. This can include steps like disabling file editing, preventing PHP execution in certain directories, and configuring your web server securely.
7. Regularly audit user accounts and remove any unnecessary ones. Ensure that each user has the least amount of privilege necessary for their role.
8. Periodically update your site’s security keys and salts. They encrypt information stored in cookies, making your site more secure and adding an extra layer of protection.

Signs your site has malware

Identifying malware early is crucial in minimizing damage and mitigating security risks. Here are some common signs that your website might be infected with malware:

How does your site get infected by malware?

Understanding how your site can be compromised helps you take preventive measures to protect it. Here are some common ways malware can infect your website:

Impact of malware on your site

Having malware on your site can be devastating. It affects not only your website but also your business reputation and user trust. Here are some of the major impacts malware can have on your site:

Final thoughts

Dealing with malware on your website can feel overwhelming, but taking prompt action is crucial to prevent further damage. By scanning your site, removing any infections, and clearing Google warnings, you can regain control and restore your site’s integrity. Remember, implementing best practices for website security, along with regular maintenance and security checks, is vital in keeping malware at bay

For seamless and effective protection, consider using MalCare. Its powerful scanning and one-click malware removal features ensure your site stays safe with minimal effort on your part. Plus, with MalCare’s comprehensive security suite, you can address vulnerabilities before they become major issues, giving you peace of mind and a secure online presence.

FAQs

How do I know if my website has malware?

Common signs of malware include sudden traffic spikes, unexpected pop-ups or redirects, slow page load times, browser or search engine warnings, unexpected file changes, suspicious user accounts, user complaints, and notifications from your hosting provider.

How can I scan my website for malware?

You can scan your website using a security plugin like MalCare, online tools like Sucuri’s SiteCheck, or through manual scanning by accessing server logs and inspecting site files.

Is it possible to remove malware manually?

Yes, it is possible to remove malware manually, but it requires extensive technical knowledge. Steps include backing up your site, downloading clean versions of your CMS, themes, and plugins, deleting suspicious files, cleaning the database, clearing caches, restoring compromised files, and rechecking for lingering malicious code.

How do I remove malware warnings from Google?

Sign in to Google Search Console, navigate to the Security Issues section, and request a review after cleaning your site. If the review request is rejected, double-check for hidden malware, clear caches, ensure all software is updated, and resubmit a detailed review request.