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WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for hackers. If your WordPress site has been hacked or infected with a virus, it’s crucial to act quickly to restore its security and functionality. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to clean a virus from your WordPress site and ensure it’s protected from future attacks.

Why Do WordPress Sites Get Hacked?

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to understand how WordPress sites get hacked in the first place. Common reasons include:

1. Using Nulled Plugins and Themes: Nulled (pirated) plugins and themes often contain malicious code that can compromise your site.

2. Weak Passwords: Easy-to-guess passwords make it simple for hackers to gain access to your site.

3. Security Vulnerabilities: Even free and original plugins or themes can have security flaws that hackers exploit.

4. Outdated Software: Failing to update WordPress core, plugins, or themes can leave your site vulnerable to attacks.

If your site has been hacked, it’s important to note that most hosting companies do not take responsibility for cleaning it. While some companies may offer this service, they often charge hundreds of dollars per site. However, if you have a basic understanding of how WordPress works, you can clean your site yourself by following the steps below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clean a Virus from Your WordPress Site

Step 1: Access Your Site’s Folder/Document Root

• Log in to your hosting account and navigate to the file manager or use an FTP client like FileZilla.

• Locate the document root of your site. For the main domain, this is usually the public_html folder. For addon domains, there will be separate folders.

Step 2: Backup Your Site

Before making any changes, create a backup of your site. This includes:

• Downloading all files from your site’s directory.

• Exporting your database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool.

Step 3: Delete Unnecessary Files

• In your site’s root folder, keep the following:

  • wp-content folder (contains themes, plugins, and uploads).

  • wp-config.php file (contains database credentials).

• Delete everything else in the root folder.

• Open the wp-config.php file and copy the database name, username, password, and table prefix. Once copied, delete this file as well.

Step 4: Reinstall WordPress

• Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org.

• Upload the downloaded ZIP file to your site’s root folder and extract it.

• Move the contents of the extracted wordpress folder to the root directory.

Step 5: Reconfigure WordPress

• Open your site in a browser. You’ll see the WordPress installation page.

• Enter the database name, username, password, and table prefix that you copied earlier.

• Complete the installation process.

Step 6: Update Permalinks

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard.

• Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and click the Save Changes button. This will regenerate your site’s permalink structure.

Step 7: Scan and Clean Your Site with Wordfence

• Install the Wordfence Security plugin from the WordPress repository.

• Run a full scan of your site using Wordfence.

• After the scan, click the following buttons:

  • Delete All Deletable Files

  • Repair All Repairable Files

• Repeat the scan until no file changes or malware are detected.

Additional Tips to Secure Your WordPress Site

1. Use Strong Passwords: Create complex passwords for your WordPress admin account, database, and hosting account.

2. Install a Security Plugin: Plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security can help protect your site from future attacks.

3. Update Regularly: Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date to patch security vulnerabilities.

4. Avoid Nulled Plugins and Themes: Always download plugins and themes from trusted sources.

5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your login process.

6. Monitor Your Site: Regularly check your site for unusual activity or unauthorized changes.

When to Hire a Professional

If you’re not comfortable performing these steps yourself or if the infection is severe, consider hiring a freelancer or a WordPress security expert. They can thoroughly clean your site and implement additional security measures to prevent future attacks.

Conclusion

Cleaning a virus from your WordPress site may seem daunting, but with the right steps, it’s entirely manageable. By following this guide, you can remove malware, restore your site’s functionality, and strengthen its security. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so take proactive measures to protect your site from future threats.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with others who might benefit from it. For more tips on WordPress security and maintenance, stay tuned to our blog!