Discovering your website is infected with malware is stressful. Visitors see security warnings, Google may delist your site, and customer data may be at risk. Here is the systematic approach to cleanup and recovery.
Immediate Response
- Do not panic -- methodical cleanup is more effective than rushed changes
- Take the site offline temporarily if it is serving malware to visitors
- Change all passwords -- hosting, WordPress admin, FTP, database, email
- Document everything you find for future prevention
Detection and Scanning
- Run Sucuri SiteCheck (free online scanner)
- Run Wordfence scan on WordPress sites
- Check Google Search Console for security issues
- Review recently modified files on the server
- Check database for injected content
- Review .htaccess and wp-config.php for modifications
Cleanup Process
- Restore from a known clean backup if available (fastest method)
- If no clean backup: manually remove infected files, clean database injections, and verify every file against known clean versions
- Remove unknown admin accounts
- Reinstall WordPress core files from fresh download
- Reinstall all plugins from official sources
- Scan again to confirm cleanup is complete
Post-Cleanup Prevention
- Install and configure a web application firewall
- Update all software to latest versions
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Set up automated daily backups
- Implement file integrity monitoring
- Schedule regular security scans
Need emergency malware removal? Contact us for immediate assistance.
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Tony Paris
Founder and Tech Wizard at AppWT Web & AI Solutions. With over 29 years of experience in web development, Tony helps businesses succeed online through custom websites, SEO, and AI integration.
Learn more about TonyFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my website has malware?
Signs include: Google showing "This site may be hacked," unexpected redirects, slow loading, new pages or content you did not create, modified files, spam emails from your domain, hosting provider warnings, and antivirus software blocking your site.
How much does malware removal cost?
Professional malware removal: $297-$997 depending on severity and site complexity. This includes scanning, cleanup, file verification, database cleaning, and hardening to prevent reinfection. Emergency/rush service costs more.
How long does malware cleanup take?
Simple infections (injected scripts, spam pages): 2-4 hours. Complex infections (backdoors, database compromise, rootkits): 4-12 hours. Full recovery including Google delisting removal: 1-3 weeks for Google to re-crawl and remove warnings.
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