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How to Remove Malware from WordPress Website (2025 guide)

Introduction

You’re about to start your workday when you discover your WordPress website is hacked. Learning how to remove malware from WordPress website is crucial to restoring security and protecting your business.

In 2025, with cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, this scenario is more common than you might think. According to WordPress Security Statistics 2025, over 30,000 WordPress websites are hacked daily, affecting businesses of all sizes.

Understanding WordPress Malware

What is WordPress Malware?

Malware (malicious software) refers to any code or script designed to harm your website, steal data, or gain unauthorized access. If you’re looking for how to remove malware from a WordPress website, it’s important to understand the various threats that exist. In 2025, several prevalent types of WordPress malware will be in use.

SEO spam continues to be a major concern, with attackers injecting hidden links and content to manipulate search rankings.

Warning Signs of a Malware Infection

Website owners should be vigilant for several key indicators that might suggest a malware infection. The most common signs include:

  • Unexpected website changes – Alterations to your site’s appearance or content without your knowledge.
  • Unusual server activity – Spikes in CPU usage or server load without a clear reason.
  • Google Safe Browsing warnings – Alerts indicating your site has been flagged for malware.
  • Suspicious admin accounts – Unauthorized users appearing in your WordPress dashboard.
  • Redirect attacks – Visitors being sent to unrelated or malicious websites.
  • Slow website performance – Unexplained sluggishness or frequent crashes.
  • Strange code in files – Unknown scripts or modifications in theme or plugin files.
  • Locked out of admin – Inability to access your WordPress dashboard unexpectedly.

Impact on Your Business

A malware infection can have far-reaching consequences for your business. The immediate impact often begins with a loss of customer trust and revenue, which can quickly spiral into long-term damage to your brand reputation.

Search engine rankings typically suffer significant decreases, sometimes leading to complete blacklisting by search engines and web browsers.

Organizations may face potential legal liabilities from data breaches, particularly if customer information is compromised. The financial impact extends to increased hosting costs due to resource abuse by malicious code.

Throughout the recovery process, businesses often experience substantial losses in productivity as teams work to address and resolve the infection.

Preparation Before Removal

Essential First Steps

Before beginning the malware removal process, proper preparation is crucial. Start by creating a complete backup of your site using reliable backup plugins such as UpdraftPlus or Solid Backups.

These backups should be stored off-site, preferably in secure cloud storage, and their integrity should be verified before proceeding with any cleanup efforts.

Documentation is your next critical step. Take comprehensive screenshots of any error messages you encounter, save copies of suspicious code for analysis, and maintain a detailed record of all symptoms and unusual activities.

This documentation will be invaluable both during the cleanup process and for preventing future infections.

Essential Tools for Malware Removal:

  • FTP Client – Use FileZilla or Cyberduck to access and modify server files.
  • Text Editor – Tools like Visual Studio Code or Notepad++ help analyze and clean code.
  • WordPress Security Plugin – Install Wordfence, Sucuri, or MalCare for scanning and monitoring.
  • Clean WordPress Core Files – Download fresh files from WordPress.org for comparison and replacement.

Finally, ensure you have access to clean WordPress core files from WordPress.org for comparison and replacement.

How to Remove Malware from WordPress Website – Step-by-Step

Initial Security Measures

The first step in malware removal involves implementing immediate security measures. Begin by changing all passwords associated with your WordPress installation.

This includes:

WordPress Website Security Credentials checklist for malware removal: Admin Accounts, Database Access, Email Accounts, FTP/SFTP, Hosting Control Panel, and Password Management illustrated with color-coded badges and icons

Malware Scanning

The scanning process should be thorough and methodical. Begin by installing a reputable security plugin and running a comprehensive server-level scan. Take time to review the scan results carefully, identifying all infected files and their locations.

Document each instance of malicious code discovered, as this information will be valuable for pattern recognition and preventing future infections.

The scanning process should be repeated multiple times during the cleanup to ensure all malicious code has been identified and removed.

Clean WordPress Core Files

Core file cleanup requires a systematic approach:

  • Download Fresh Core Files – Get the latest WordPress core files from WordPress.org.
  • Compare Files – Check for differences between your current installation and the clean core files.
  • Replace Modified Files – Swap out any altered core files with clean versions.
  • Maintain Proper File Permissions:
    • Directories: Set to 755.
    • Files: Set to 644.
    • wp-config.php: Use 600 for added security.

Theme and Plugin Analysis

A thorough analysis of themes and plugins is essential for complete malware removal.

  • Deactivate All Plugins & Themes – Switch to a default WordPress theme for a clean baseline.
  • Scan Each Plugin & Theme – Check for malicious code or suspicious modifications.
  • Remove or Replace Compromised Components – Delete any infected plugins or themes.
  • Update Everything – Ensure all remaining plugins and themes are updated to their latest versions.

This process helps isolate the source of infections and prevents reinfection through outdated components.

Database Cleaning

Database cleanup requires a careful, systematic approach to ensure no malicious content remains while preserving legitimate data.

Backup First – Export your database before making any changes.

  • Scan for Suspicious Content:
    • Hidden Admin Users – Check for unauthorized accounts.
    • Spam Posts & Comments – Look for malicious links.
    • Injected JavaScript Code – Inspect post content for hidden scripts.
    • Unauthorized Redirects – Identify and remove unwanted redirects stored in the database.

The wp_options table requires special attention, as it often contains crucial site settings that malware might modify.

Post-Cleaning Verification

Verification after cleaning is crucial to ensure the infection has been eliminated. Run multiple malware scans using different tools to cross-verify results.

Test your website’s functionality thoroughly, including all forms, e-commerce features, and user interactions.

Monitor server logs for any suspicious activity patterns that might indicate remaining malware. Check your site’s status in search engines to ensure it’s no longer being flagged as malicious.

Post-Removal Security Measures

Immediate Security Implementation

After successful malware removal, implementing robust security measures becomes crucial.

Security Hardening Steps:

  • Update Everything – Keep WordPress core, themes, plugins, and server software up to date.
  • Upgrade PHP Version – Ensure your server runs the latest stable PHP version to prevent vulnerabilities.
  • Optimize Server Configurations – Review and adjust settings for security without compromising performance.

Access Control Measures:

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Add an extra security layer for all admin accounts.
  • Review User Roles & Permissions – Remove unnecessary admin privileges and deactivate unused accounts.
  • Block Malicious IPs – Configure security tools to block suspicious activity and repeated failed logins.

Security Hardening:

  • Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF) – Filter out malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
  • Enforce SSL/HTTPS – Ensure all pages are securely encrypted.

Review and adjust file permissions to provide necessary access while maintaining security. Disable file editing capabilities in the WordPress admin area to prevent unauthorized code modifications.

Preventing Future Attacks

Best Practices for Ongoing Security

Maintaining website security requires consistent attention and regular maintenance activities. Weekly security scans should be performed to catch any potential issues early.

Regular Audits & Assessments:

  • Monthly Plugin & Theme Audits – Identify and remove unused or outdated components to reduce security risks.
  • Quarterly Security Assessments – Review overall security posture and address vulnerabilities.

Real-Time Monitoring & Alerts:

  • Enable Security Alerts – Get immediate notifications for suspicious activities.
  • Monitor Website Uptime – Detect service disruptions that may indicate a security breach.
  • Implement File Integrity Monitoring – Get alerts for unauthorized changes to core files, themes, or plugins.

Employee Security Training:

  • Provide Security Guidelines – Educate team members on password security and best practices.
  • Ensure Regular Updates – Train employees on keeping WordPress and security tools up to date.

Establish clear protocols for safe browsing practices and plugin installation procedures. Document content management procedures to ensure all team members follow security best practices.

Security Tools and Services

The security landscape in 2025 requires a comprehensive suite of protection tools.

Top Security Plugins:

Key Protection Features:

Comprehensive WordPress Security diagram for malware removal showing three essential components: Malware Scanning, Firewall Protection, and Security Hardening in a circular puzzle design with central lock icon

Malware Scanning – Detect and remove malicious code.

Firewall Protection – Block harmful traffic before it reaches your site.

Security Hardening – Strengthen WordPress against attacks.

Monitoring services should cover multiple aspects of site health, including uptime monitoring, regular malware scanning, performance tracking, and security log analysis.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consider hiring a WordPress malware removal service if:

  • Your business is losing revenue due to site downtime.
  • You’ve tried multiple times but the malware persists.
  • The infection is affecting critical website functionality.
  • You run an eCommerce store or membership site with sensitive user data.

Check our Malware Removal Service.

Conclusion

Knowing how to remove malware from the WordPress website is essential for any website owner. By following this guide, you can identify, remove, and prevent malware infections effectively. Stay proactive with regular security audits, strong passwords, and monitoring tools to keep your site safe.

Additional Resources

Keeping your WordPress site secure is an ongoing process. Implement these strategies today to protect your website, business, and users from future threats.

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for educational purposes only. Website security is a complex and constantly evolving field. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend consulting with security professionals for serious malware infections or high-risk websites. The methods and tools mentioned may need to be adapted based on specific circumstances and emerging threats.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools and services we trust and believe will be helpful for website security.

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