Today, malware is such a nuisance, and our files are vulnerable to different threats. Actually, it is not only a nuisance. Malware is not child’s play – if you do not react on time, malware infection will create a series of problems, such as loss of data or confidential customer information, and traffic loss. Despite protection and safety measures, your WordPress site might be hacked. What can we do about it?
A professional can help, especially because cleaning the site is not plain sailing. It takes a lot of time and expertise. You are strongly encouraged to contact the WordPress malware removal service in order to get support and assistance.
However, if users decide to clean their site themselves, the best way is to install a WordPress malware removal plugin. The purpose of the plugin is to scan a website and recognize and delete any malware infection. You have a selection of available plugins, but you should be smart about which one to choose.
Best Malware Removal Plugin WordPress
1) MalCare WordPress Security
It is not difficult to install and use MalCare. What you need is to create an account on malcare.com. On the control panel, there will be an option MalCare Security Pro plugin, and you need to download and install it on your WordPress site. After that, you will activate the plugin.
MalCare is widely used and has excellent cleaning properties.
The efficiency of MalCare is not an overnight success. It was launched after the analysis of over 250,000 WordPress websites. In other words, this tool uses collective intelligence in order to provide websites with the necessary protection.
In case your website is infected with malware, this plugin gives you the following:
1. Running a Scan detecting the newest malware in addition to the existing one
2. Cleaning your websites and removing the existing malware
3. Providing Firewall protection, which will block suspicious IP addresses
4. Hardening the website and blocking unauthorized persons from changing any parts of it
5. Providing backups that you are entitled to use within a one-year period
MalCare is characterized by a deep scanning solution, so it can find the newest and most complicated malware. The 1-Click Auto Cleaner will clean and protect your website easily.
MalCare also supports all users – you can use their contact section or email them. If you have urgent issues, you may use their instant chat section, which can be found in their dashboard.
2) WordFence Security Plugin
WordFence is easily the most trusted security plugin. More than 2 million users have installed it so far.
WordFence is an endpoint firewall, but also a malware scanner. Its scanning capacities are constantly updated. WordFence will scan the WordPress content, plugins, themes, and files.
WordFence provides you with the following options if your site has been affected by malware:
1. Scanning the files in order to find infections, threats, and other vulnerabilities
2. Recognizing non-WordPress files so you can delete them if you do not need them
3. Giving you future protection thanks to real-time scanning
4. If your files are malware-infected, you can replace them with the original WordPress versions.
Unlike most of the other plugins, WordFence gives you support regardless of whether you use a premium or free-of-charge option. They will give you the best possible assistance, although premium users can expect better and faster support.
3) Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall
Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall is another plugin, and its best advantage is that it automatically cleans the website and deletes malware. The only thing you should do is to accept the deletion of the malware you have not confirmed before.
This plugin allows you to do the following if your site has malware:
1. Scanning and identification of malware or malicious code
2. Auto-delete option for all malware you have confirmed
3. Firewall protection from different attackers
4. Quick and regular update of anti-malware protection
A lot of users have used this plugin, and many of them stated that it completely cleaned their website. Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall are quite similar to antivirus programs – it identifies and delete malware but also function as a firewall vs. attackers. It is available for premium and free users, and you can request support on their forum. Also, you can comment on their gotmis.net homepage.
4) Sucuri Security
Thousands of users have requested support from Sucuri Security, and it proved to be really efficient and trustworthy.
Like other plugins, Sucuri Security provides users with the following options:
1. Scanning of malware and other vulnerabilities. However, a distant scan is intended for free users
2. You may check whether your website is blacklisted on different engines like Norton, AVG, Sucuri Labs, Google Safe Browsing, Yandex, etc.
3. Better protection for future attacks and infections
4. You will get a dashboard notification in case a malicious code is spotted
Sucuri plugin applies a synergy of file integrity scanning and malware definition, and thus, the detection is done accurately. In other words, Sucuri boasts a high rate of detection success.
However, be aware of a certain difference between free and premium users since the latter get better and more powerful support. Moreover, premium users always have the support team to help them anytime, unlike free users, who do not have assistance.
5) Security and Malware Scan by CleanTalk
This is one of the newest plugins on the market, but it is also successful and efficient.
CleanTalk is characterized by heuristic scanning, which means that it can detect new malware by examining the behavior of the given script and its code, and then it compares it to the predicted features of malware.
If you have malware, the plugin will provide you with the following:
1. Scanning, identification, and deletion of malware
2. Using heuristics approach in identification and cleaning
3. Use of an SQL injection scanner that will control your database
4. Better protection for potential infections and attacks in the future
We can see that CleanTalk Plugin has good and innovative features, such as heuristics and the SQL injection scanner, which is used to find and delete various scripts intended to insert malware into the user’s database.
This plugin is free, and you can find it on the WordPress support forum. Also, many users revealed that their problems were sorted out!
6) All In One WP Security
You will use and understand this plugin easily. It boasts good support and stability.
This is a new plugin, and it examines vulnerabilities and thus decreases the level of security risk.
The firewall and security rules are divided into three categories: advanced, intermediate, and basic. This is really smart because you will not have problems with the functionality of your website. In other words, your website will not be slower because of the presence of this plugin. Also, it is completely free!
This plugin has the following features:
1. It checks if the login and display names of your account are the same, because this is not a good idea in terms of security
2. The Login Lockdown, which will prevent Brute Force Login Attacks.
3. You can view all unsuccessful login attempts with the information containing IP address, Username/ID, and Date/Time of the attempt
4. Better spam protection through Google reCAPTCHA
5. Improved Database security
6. Identification of insecure folders or files
7. The option to back up the original htaccess and wp-config.php files
8. Firewall is much more functional with better access control
9. Monitoring of IP addresses that make a lot of spam comments
10. Update on new security features
Currently All In One WP Security plugin is available in over ten translations.
7) BulletProof Security
This is another trustworthy plugin with plenty of features, such as:
1. MScan Malware Scanner
2. Good firewall functions
3. Improved Login Security
4. The option to make a DB Backup
5. Idle Session Logout
This plugin has been available for over seven years. BulletProof Security Pro is fully automated. It contains a one-click Setup Wizard, so this plugin can be set up in less than one minute.
How to Protect your WordPress Website against Malware
1. Files and database backup
First, you should back up the full site, and this procedure can be time-consuming since the server can be really large. Unless it is hacked, you may use a WordPress backup plugin. Otherwise, contact the expert we have been talking about.
All your uploads are stored in the wp-content folder. If you experience problems with a backup plugin, you can use the File Manager of your web host to make a zip archive of the wp-content folder. After that, you will be able to download the zip file.
2. The backup files – download and examine
Having backed up your website, you should download the backup to your computer. You need to enter the zip file, and there you will see the following:
All the WordPress Core files – you can compare the files in the download with your own, or you can use them later
The wp-config.php file – this file contains the most important information (name, username, and password), which will be used later in the restore stage.
.htaccess file – this file is invisible, and if you want to have a backup of it, you will need an FTP program or code editing application.
The wp-content folder – this folder contains themes, uploads, and plugins. You should check if they correspond to your real folders.
The database – there should be an SQL file that functions as an export of your database.
3. Deletion of files in the public_html folder
You should use the File Manager of your web host in order to delete all the files in the public_html folder.
It is of the highest importance to clean each site and do a backup of all of them because cross-infection is not rare.
4. Reinstallation of WordPress
You should use the one-click installer to reinstall WordPress in the public_html directory if this was the original location of the WordPress install. If WordPress is installed in an add-on domain, you should install it in the subdirectory.
5. Reset passwords and permalinks
After doing the previous steps, you should log in to your website and reset all user names and passwords. In case there are any unknown users, you will need professional help.
You should go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes. In this way, your .htaccess file will be restored, and URLs will work. This file is invisible, and it is very important, so you should make sure it is not hacked.
6. Reinstall plugins
You should reinstall all your plugins. Never install old plugins or those that are not maintained any longer.
7. Reinstall themes
The next step is to reinstall the theme. You should not upload the old theme because some files may be hacked.
8. Upload the images from the backup
This step is time-consuming because you need to check each folder in the backup. You will upload only image files, but there can be hacked files you did not include in your Media Library. Once you make sure everything is clean, you may upload the images to the server.
9. Scan your computer
Once again, scan your computer!
10. Install and run security plugins
Use iControlWP to run Shield WordPress Security. It will inform you if any core files are affected in the future.
WordPress Plugin to Remove Malware and Monitoring
After you have managed to clean your website, you should keep it updated with notices. Unfortunately, WordPress websites are susceptible to different attacks. Don’t take it personally because it does not mean that hackers intentionally chose you as a target. You are simply an easy target! What you can do is to harden your password, update your sites, and perform regular scans.
You can use the Shield WordPress Security plugin’s Audit Trail feature to monitor possible changes to your files.
Conclusion
WordPress malware infections can escalate quickly if ignored, affecting your traffic, credibility, and customer trust.
While professional cleanup is often the safest option, reliable WordPress malware removal plugins give website owners a practical way to detect, remove, and prevent threats. The key is not only reacting after an attack but maintaining ongoing protection through regular scans, updates, and strong security practices.
A proactive security strategy will always be more effective than emergency recovery. By choosing the right WordPress malware removal plugins and monitoring your site consistently, you significantly reduce the risk of future compromises and ensure long-term website stability.
FAQ
How do WordPress Malware Removal Plugins detect hidden malware?
WordPress Malware Removal Plugins use signature-based scanning, heuristic analysis, and file integrity monitoring to detect malicious code. Advanced plugins compare your core files with original WordPress versions and identify suspicious scripts, injected code, and unauthorized file changes that may not be visible manually.
Are free WordPress Malware Removal Plugins reliable enough?
Free WordPress Malware Removal Plugins can detect common malware infections, but premium versions usually provide deeper scans, firewall protection, and real-time monitoring. For serious infections or business websites, paid tools often offer stronger cleanup capabilities and faster expert support.
Can WordPress Malware Removal Plugins prevent future attacks?
Yes, most WordPress Malware Removal Plugins include firewalls, brute-force protection, IP blocking, and login security features. While no plugin guarantees 100% protection, combining malware scanning with firewall hardening significantly reduces the risk of reinfection.
How often should you run WordPress Malware Removal Plugins?
It is recommended to run WordPress Malware Removal Plugins weekly for active websites and immediately after installing new themes or plugins. Many security plugins also offer automated daily scans to detect threats before they impact traffic or data security.
Do WordPress Malware Removal Plugins slow down website performance?
Well-optimized WordPress Malware Removal Plugins run scans on external servers or during low-traffic periods to reduce load impact. However, poorly configured security plugins may affect performance, so it’s important to choose trusted tools and enable only necessary security features.
