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Cleaning a WordPress website that has been infected with malware, malicious software, or viruses is a critical task to protect your site’s visitors and reputation. Here are the steps to clean a compromised WordPress website:

1. Identify the Malware:
   • Regularly scan your website with security plugins to detect malware or viruses.
   • Pay attention to unusual website behavior, unexpected redirects, or strange pop-ups.
2. Backup Your Website:
   • Before attempting any cleanup, create a full backup of your website, including the database and all files.
3. Isolate Your Website:
   • Temporarily take your website offline to prevent visitors from accessing the infected content.
   • Create a “Maintenance Mode” page to display a message informing visitors that the website is under maintenance.
4. Update WordPress and Plugins:
   • Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are all up to date. Outdated software can be vulnerable to attacks.
5. Remove Unnecessary Plugins and Themes:
   • Delete any unused or unnecessary plugins and themes from your website. These can be potential entry points for attackers.
6. Change All Passwords:
   • Change all passwords associated with your WordPress site, including admin accounts, FTP, and database passwords.
7. Use a Malware Scanner:
   • Employ a reliable malware scanner or security plugin to identify and clean infected files.
8. Manual Review of Files:
   • Review critical files such as index.php, wp-config.php, and .htaccess for any suspicious code.
   • Pay close attention to files in the uploads directory and other writable folders.
9. Replace Core WordPress Files:
   • Reinstall a fresh copy of WordPress core files, ensuring they are from the official WordPress repository.
10. Clean Database:
    • Manually review your WordPress database for any malicious code or unauthorized entries.
    • Remove any suspicious or unwanted entries.
11. Review User Accounts:
    • Check all user accounts and delete any suspicious or unknown users.
    • Update passwords for all remaining users.
12. Harden Your Website Security:
    • Install and configure a reliable security plugin to enhance your website’s security.
    • Implement two-factor authentication for added protection.
13. Check .htaccess and wp-config.php Files:
    • Verify the integrity of your .hatches and wp-config.php files to ensure there are no unauthorized changes.
14. Scan for Backdoors:
    • Look for hidden backdoors in your website files. Attackers may create these to regain access even after cleaning.
15. Monitor Regularly:
    • Set up monitoring to detect and respond to any future security threats promptly.
16. Remove Website from Blacklists:
    • If your website was blacklisted due to the malware, request removal from the blacklist authorities.
17. Restore Website:
    • After cleaning the website, restore it from the backup you created earlier.
18. Take Preventive Measures:
    • Regularly update your website, themes, and plugins to prevent future vulnerabilities.
    • Perform regular malware scans and invest in a robust security solution.

Cleaning a compromised WordPress website can be complex, and it is advisable to seek assistance from professional security experts if you are unsure about any of the steps. Additionally, consider investing in a reputable WordPress security service to prevent future attacks and protect your website and visitors from potential threats.

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