Top 9 WordPress Malware Scanner Plugins for Malware Removal

WordPress is currently a top-rated website platform. The Automattic WordPress team is constantly working to make the WordPress platform as secure as possible.

However, this ongoing process resembles a tug-of-war as new forms of malware and hackers continuously emerge. It’s crucial to constantly scan WordPress for malware because, in the past, bad URLs have been used to divert traffic to WordPress websites.

Is malware or a hacker trying to access your WordPress site? If so, there are actions you may take to clean out the harmful code and WordPress infection on your website. Installing a WordPress malware cleanup plugin is one of the simplest ways to accomplish this. The best WordPress plugins can analyze your website and find and eliminate WordPress malware and other unwanted code.

There are a few crucial techniques to remove malware from WordPress websites. You have three options: apply the finest WordPress malware removal service or plugin, engage a professional to clean up your site, or manually remove the malware. A virus removal plugin for WordPress is the quickest, cheapest, and most reliable method out of these choices. Malware removal is a race against the damage it can do because it worsens with time.

Malware or harmful software is created to impair a website’s performance. Any website on the internet is at risk, so if yours is hacked, you must act quickly to remove the malware.

How Malware infects WordPress Sites

There are several methods malware can be put on WordPress websites. Usually, a hacker or automated programme will take advantage of a security flaw. A hacker could access your website, for instance, if you don’t have security measures to stop many unsuccessful login attempts or if your password is weak.

After that, they can use a brute force attack to install the malware. When a bot visits your login page, it repeatedly cycles through hundreds of username and password combinations until it finds the appropriate one.

Hackers can also take advantage of security flaws in outdated plugins and themes. To install malware, bot networks scour the internet for websites having these flaws. Phishing links might allow malware to enter your website as well.

You might unintentionally click on a phishing link in an email or go to a compromised website, which can result in this. You risk unintentionally downloading harmful software to your computer if you do this. Then, this can end up on your WordPress server.

Why It’s Important to Check WordPress for Malware

As we previously discussed, there will typically be some indications of malware on your website. This isn’t always the case, though. You might not always be aware that someone has hacked into your website.

Running a virus scan is, fortunately, an easy method to find out. Regular malware scanning is crucial, especially considering that 85 percent of compromised CMS-based websites are WordPress-based. You expose yourself to numerous problems if you don’t routinely scan WordPress for malware, including:

• Website performance issues

Hackers may be able to attack other websites using the resources on your server, thanks to malware. Performance problems, such as slow-loading pages, might result from diverting resources away from your website.

• SEO sanctions

Google regularly adds hacked websites to its denylist. Your position in search engine results pages and organic search traffic may suffer.

• Risks to visitors to your website

Malware can even put your website visitors’ security at risk. It might open harmful pop-up windows on your website and infect visitors with malware.

• The IP address on the denylist:

Hackers can use Malware to send spam emails using the IP address of your website. Major email providers may remove your IP address from their list.

How Do You Know If Malware Infects Your Website?

Attacks by malware are either random or designed with the express goal of stealing your information and corrupting the files on your website. Typically, the purpose of these assaults is to steal money from online shops. Malicious malware of many types can ambush your website and take advantage of any weaknesses you may have. 

It’s typical to witness a drop in traffic and an error on your website while you’re being attacked. Your web hosting company may occasionally issue a notice to you regarding excessive bandwidth utilization.

The ideal approach in these situations is maintaining your composure and creating a speedy action plan. Many security plugins and solutions are available if you run a WordPress website that assists in removing malware and restoring your website.

You must input the URL of your website and then press the Scan Website button. It will take the scanner a few minutes to locate any malware or hacks and present all the information. It will assist you in comprehending the malware attack so you may proceed appropriately.

Malicious code can enter your website through a variety of channels besides themes. They may be introduced through hacking, comments in the comment box, or brute force attacks. Occasionally, you might decide to install software packed with a widely used programme that you download and install.

That software can mask malware or spyware as an add-on feature. You may unintentionally activate these functionalities on your website, where malware is present and spyware is constantly added.

When to Run a WordPress Malware Scan

Do not put off checking for malware on your WordPress website until you notice the warning indicators. Malicious code has an extended detection lifetime. Therefore, even if there are no indications that something is wrong, it is a good idea to monitor your website constantly. At the very least, we advise doing a virus scan monthly. Every time you modify the code of your website or add new plugins, you should probably perform a scan. We advise scanning if you see any warning indicators we discussed.

Set a recurring reminder to check your website for malware. To establish the habit, you may, for instance, do it on the first of each month.

The Top 9 WordPress Malware Scanner plugins

Malware cleanup software is one of the essential plugins you must have on your WordPress website. It aids in protecting your WordPress website from viruses and other threats. Online threats to WordPress websites have significantly increased even in the last few years.

As a result, many WordPress experts advise installing a virus cleanup plugin. So, if you’re wondering what the best malware removal plugins are, they are listed below. The Top 9 WordPress Malware Removal Plugins are listed below for your consideration.

1. Sucuri Security

A popular and reliable plugin for securing your WordPress website is Sucuri Security. It includes a malware scanner, a top-notch malware remover, and additional features made to enhance your present security defense. GoDaddy is the owner at the moment. 

Users can utilize numerous security measures using Sucuri to improve the security of their websites. Sucuri’s virus eradication feature is also available to premium customers. We put it to the test to ensure Sucuri lived up to its reputation. 

With this plugin, you will get capabilities like Advanced DDoS Mitigation, Brand Reputation & Blacklist Monitoring, Stop Hacks (Virtual Patching/Hardening), Malware Removal & Hack Cleanup, and so on.

2. Wordfence Security

Wordfence offers practically total website security, going beyond simple malware scanning. It is open source, accessible, and regularly updated Threat Defense Feed to monitor and stop hacking attempts on your website.

Over 44000 known pieces of malware can be detected by the Web Application Firewall, preventing it from ever getting to your website. Additionally, it checks for trojans, strange code, backdoors, phishing URLs, and other security threats. Typically, the scans are performed every hour. 

Therefore, within an hour of any malware content appearing on your website, you are likely to be aware of it. Wordfence is capable of both real-time traffic monitoring and core integrity checks.

3. AntiVirus

This plugin was developed to combat spam. It can also surround your website with security, run automated daily scans, and email you reports so you can stay informed and take preventative security actions. 

This plugin can do daily security checks, clean up your site after removing any plugins, and scan databases, themes, and templates to make sure everything on your site is secure. 

It also displays virus alerts in the WordPress admin panel. Additionally, it supports Google Safe Browsing to assist monitor for malware and phishing attempts and checksum checking for WordPress Core files.

4. Quttera Web Malware Scanner

Malicious code injection, malware, viruses, trojan horses, backdoors, shells, and more – If they are hiding on your website, the Quttera Web Malware Scanner will discover them all. It will also show up in a scan if Google has blacklisted your website. Based on the thorough malware report it produces, you can clean up your website. You must get in touch with their support if you need any assistance eliminating malware.

One of the free plugins with a tonne of capabilities is the Quttera Web Malware Scanner, developed by the Quttera team. The plugin will check your website for viruses, Trojans, worms, backdoors, malware, and other threats.

Additionally, it can identify various dangers such as JavaScript code obfuscation, exploits, iframes, malicious code injection, malicious code obfuscation, automatically generated malicious content, redirection, hidden eval code, and so forth.

5. Anti-Malware

The sole purpose of this WordPress malware prevention & removal plugin is to rescue you from a sticky malware issue. Anti-malware security and brute force firewall plugins automatically delete proven malware, in contrast to most plugins that identify dangers and prompt you for action. 

You can choose to remove or preserve the discovered codes, and it only needs your input for those that are suspected to be malware but haven’t been verified.

Eli Scheetz created a brute Force Firewall plugin and Anti-Malware Security. It offers a range of security capabilities, including firewall protection, malware cleanup, detection, and other security measures. This plugin is not accessible, even though it promises to be available to users. 

This plugin guards your website against modern dangers, including malware, database injections, and backdoor scripts. Additionally, the Firewall will stop malware from exploiting known flaws in Revolution Slider and other third-party plugins, preventing spyware like SoakSoak and other malware from doing so.

6. SecuPress Free

The slogan of SecuPress Free is “You made it. We keep it safe.” This free application also provides a complete WordPress security toolset as a paid plugin, along with malware scanning that aids in blocking harmful bots and suspect IP addresses. 

Additionally GDPR compliant, SecuPress is a fantastic option for any WordPress site hosted in the EU or handling data of EU provenance. SecuPress features include firewall tools, security alerts, geolocation-based nation blocking, and anti-brute-force login defense. The tool is simple to install and use, which makes it a perfect option for first-line malware identification and eradication.

7. MalCare

You can check out MalCare, which is also one of the best WordPress malware removal plugins. Even so, this security plugin is the only one that offers immediate WordPress virus eradication. Malcare just checks your website on its servers; that’s all it does. Your server’s resources are not under any load as a result. As a result, no visitors are lost, and your website operates without a hitch.

The plugin isn’t free, though. Instead, there are various prices associated with it. In terms of functionality, you will receive Manage Plugins, Themes, and Users, as well as Minimal False Alarms, with this. It can monitor minute file modifications, Real-Time Email Alerts, and other things.

8. Titan Anti-Spam & Security

This plugin, which was once known as Anti-Spam, was recently renamed Titan Anti-Spam and Security. For added protection against potential attacks, the free edition includes anti-spam, firewall, malware scanning, and site accessibility capabilities. 

Its anti-spam tool compares comments on your website to a global database to identify potential risks. Its scanning functionality looks for malware, backdoors, malicious redirects, and code injections in system files, themes, and plugins. The Pro version offers real-time firewall rule updates and enhanced scanning with over 6000 signatures.

9. WP Cerber Security

This free virus scanning plugin may help keep your website safe and secure without breaking the bank with more than 200,000 installations. Limitations on login attempts are provided by WP Cerber Security, which also keeps an eye on XML-RPC, REST API, and auth cookie requests. 

It uses Google reCAPTCHA to protect your contact, registration, and comment forms from spammers trying to infiltrate your website. Additionally, this tool enables you to build unique login URLs and authorize or limit access per IP using specific IPs, IP ranges, or subnets.

For Assistance in Malware Removal, You Can Hire Plugmatter

Malware attacks on WordPress websites may be, put it mildly, frustrating. These assaults frequently result from obsolete plugins or themes. In other situations, hackers can readily guess and steal your login information. The aim is typically an unmaintained WordPress site. 

Malware is a straightforward piece of code created deliberately to steal user data. Hackers use weaknesses in the infrastructure or existing vulnerabilities in the programming of your website to spread their harmful malware.

You require Plugmatter’s top-notch WordPress malware removal solution to take care of any malware issues with your website. As a WordPress website owner, you should be aware of the following types of malware. 

• Redirects

In this instance, the hacker adds dubious connections to your website, leading to dangerous websites. For instance, the attacker might drive users of your website to a different malicious website that offers phony goods.

• Spamming

Hackers use spamming to increase website traffic for their products to profit financially. It can damage your reputation and undermine your customers’ confidence when done through your website.

• Botnets

A vast network of multiple infected devices is known as a botnet. Specifically, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) assault is launched using it. Your website is compromised by this attack, rendering it unavailable to users.

• Phishing

Malware does not include phishing. However, when hackers infiltrate your website, they use it to gather visitor login information.

You can be confident that Plugmatter will take excellent care of your website when you deal with them. Because you’ll be working with a group of WordPress specialists who are very experienced and trained, you won’t have to worry about how things will turn out. As a team, we strive to provide hundreds of clients in various niches with the best possible 24/7 support. Different professions, from business coaches to consultants to authors, depend on us for their website needs.

Conclusion

There are many techniques to remove malware from your WordPress website. You can perform the cleanup procedure manually if you have the necessary technical expertise and time. WordPress security plugins can speed up the procedure and offer more security safeguards to stop malware attacks in the future. 

If all else fails, you can ask a WordPress security specialist to handle the job on your behalf. Whatever your favorite approach, it’s best to get started as soon as possible. A hacked website can be restored, but the cyber attack will hurt your brand’s reputation and search engine rankings if the problem isn’t rectified right away