Malware Infections

What is Malware?

Malware, short for “malicious software,” is any type of software designed to intentionally harm or exploit computer systems, networks, or devices. Malware can take many different forms, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, adware, and more. Malware can be used to steal sensitive data, hijack computing resources, or cause other types of damage. Malware is typically spread through email attachments, malicious websites, or software downloads, and can infect a computer or network without the user’s knowledge or consent. It is important to use antivirus software and practice safe computing habits to minimize the risk of malware infection.  In our case, malware is specifically targeted to websites, and if detected, can lead to a dramatic drop in rankings as Google systematically removes your site from all search results.  The kind of signature we would be looking for is a precipitous drop in your analytics traffic reports.

What are Specific Examples of WordPress Malware?

There are several types of malware that can affect a WordPress site, here are some specific examples:

1. Backdoors: Backdoors are malicious code that allow attackers to access a WordPress site remotely, bypassing normal authentication methods. They can be used to upload additional malware, steal sensitive information or perform other nefarious actions.
2. Malicious redirects: These are scripts that redirect users to malicious websites without their consent. They are often hidden in the website’s code or injected into legitimate files, and can be used to distribute malware or steal sensitive information.
3. Phishing: Phishing attacks involve tricking users into providing their login credentials, personal information or credit card details. Attackers can use phishing techniques on WordPress sites by creating fake login pages or forms that look like the real thing.
4. Drive-by downloads: These are malware downloads that happen automatically when a user visits a compromised website. This can occur when an attacker has injected malicious code into the website’s files or when the website is hosting malicious ads.
5. SEO spam: Attackers can inject spammy links or content into a WordPress site’s pages or posts in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings. This can harm the site’s reputation and lead to lower search engine rankings.

To protect your WordPress site from malware, it’s important to keep your software, themes and plugins up-to-date, use strong passwords, install security plugins, and regularly scan your site for vulnerabilities. When you signup for one of our SEO Restoration Plans, if we detect malware on your WordPress website, you will get the following services to restore your website:

1. Move your site to WP Engine for free. WP Engine will run a full malware scan and remove any infected files, or unauthorized files or backdoors using their Sucuri scan technology. Your site will continue to be hosted on WPEngine at no additional cost beyond the cost of the plan you choose.
2. Install and configure Wordfence, the #1 plugin for WordPress security. If your site scan reveals that malware was detected, your one-time restoration fee includes the Wordfence license for the first year, and you will just be responsible for future renewals at just $119/year. (price subject to change from Wordfence).
3. Additional hardening. Any additional hardening requirements are also included, such as removing old/outdated users, limiting functionality to certain user types, requiring two-factor authentication (2FA), brute force lockouts, IP and country specific blocking, and much more. Our team will work with you on the specific hardening requirements.

Get the Wordfence 2022 State of WordPress Security Report here for free.

How Does RestoreMySEO Detect Malware?

Restore uses the Google Web Risk API, Lookup API (v4) and Safe Browsing API to see if your website is listed in these databases. These databases are constantly updated by Google, and typically include sites that are displaying evidence of phishing and other deceptive practices, or that has known malware signatures. While these databases list millions of unsafe URLs, most commercial sites plagued with malware will not likely be found here.

Image source: cloud.google.com

The most common malware issue we saw in 2022 was SEO spam, such as pages or blog posts that are not yours. The best way to ensure you do not have malware, and to gauge your susceptibility is to get your full audit when you sign up for one of our SEO Restoration Plans.

What To Do If You Think Your Site is Infected With Malware

If you suspect your WordPress site has been infected with malware, or has been detected by our Quick Scan technology, consider taking the following steps:

1. Reach out to the RestoreMySEO team. We have the tools to clean your site, get you back online, and start restoring your SEO rankings that may have been adversely affected by the malware.
2. Take the site offline: The first step is to take the site offline to prevent further damage and to protect visitors to the site. This can be done by disabling the site, temporarily redirecting traffic to a maintenance page, or even taking the site offline completely.
3. Scan the site: The next step is to scan the site using a malware scanner or security plugin. There are several free and paid tools available that can help detect malware on a WordPress site. Popular options include Sucuri SiteCheck, Wordfence Security, and MalCare.
4. Remove the malware: If malware is detected, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Depending on the severity of the infection, this may involve manually removing infected files or using a malware removal plugin.
5. Harden site security: Once the malware has been removed, it’s important to take steps to harden site security to prevent future infections. This may involve updating WordPress, themes, and plugins, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and implementing other security measures.
6. Request a review: Finally, it’s a good idea to request a review from Google or other search engines to ensure that the site is no longer flagged as malicious. This can help restore the site’s reputation and prevent future visitors from being warned about potential malware infections.