How to Detect & Remove Malware from Your Website

Cyber threats are growing at an alarming rate, with over 30,000 websites being hacked every day. Malware can compromise sensitive data, damage your website’s reputation, and even lead to blacklisting by search engines. Whether your website is hosted on a shared server, a dedicated hosting environment, or a cloud infrastructure, malware can infiltrate if security measures aren’t in place.

Detecting and removing malware promptly is crucial to ensuring your website remains secure and functional. Let’s go through a structured approach to identifying and eliminating malware threats.

How to Detect Malware on Your Website

Monitor Website Performance & Unusual Behavior

Look out for slow-loading pages, unexpected redirects, or frequent crashes.

Check for unauthorized admin access or unexpected new users.

Analyze bandwidth usage spikes that could indicate malicious activity.

Use Security Scanners & Online Tools

Scan your website using tools like Sucuri SiteCheck, VirusTotal, or Google Safe Browsing.

Use server-side antivirus software to detect hidden threats in server directories.

Leverage cloud-based web security solutions for real-time scanning.

Check for Malicious Code in Website Files

Review recently modified files in your hosting environment.

Look for suspicious PHP, JavaScript, or iframe injections in your source code.

Scan .htaccess and wp-config.php files for unauthorized modifications.

Analyze Database for Malware Injections

Search for unexpected changes in database tables.

Run SQL queries to detect hidden scripts or spammy content.

Remove injected malicious code and reset admin credentials if compromised.

How to Remove Malware from Your Website

Take Your Website Offline & Backup Files

Prevent further damage by temporarily disabling your site.

Create a backup of your website files and database before making any changes.

Replace Infected Files with Clean Versions

Compare current website files with a clean backup.

Restore non-infected versions and remove unauthorized scripts.

Update Software, Plugins & Themes

Ensure your CMS, plugins, and themes are up to date.

Remove outdated or unsupported plugins that pose security risks.

Strengthen Security & Implement Preventative Measures

Set up a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block future attacks.

Enforce strong password policies and enable two-factor authentication.

Use automated malware scanners for real-time protection.

Request a Security Review & Reinstate Blacklisted Sites

If your site was flagged by Google, request a security review via Google Search Console.

Work with your hosting provider to ensure malware is completely eradicated.

Conclusion

Malware can compromise a website’s integrity, but proactive monitoring and swift action can mitigate the risks. Regular scanning, keeping software updated, and implementing strong security measures are key to protecting your server, hosting environment, and cloud infrastructure. By following these steps, you can safeguard your website from future attacks and ensure a secure browsing experience for your visitors.