Knowledge BaseSecurity & SSLRunning a malware scan on your WordPress site
Security & SSL

4 min read

Running a malware scan on your WordPress site

Use Plesk Advisor and WordPress security plugins to detect and remove malware.

Malware scanning and removal

Plesk Advisor security scan

  1. Log in to Plesk
  2. Go to Websites & Domains → your domain → Security
  3. Click Scan for Malware
  4. Review results and follow recommendations

WordPress security plugins

Install one of these trusted security plugins in WordPress:

  • Wordfence Security — Real-time firewall and malware scanner
  • Sucuri Security — Malware scanning and activity auditing
  • iThemes Security — Brute-force protection and file scanning

Signs your site may be compromised

  • Google shows a "This site may be hacked" warning
  • Unexpected admin users in WordPress
  • Spam links in your site content
  • Your site redirects visitors to other websites
  • Server resource usage spikes unexpectedly

After malware removal

  • Change all passwords (WordPress admin, FTP, database)
  • Update all plugins, themes, and WordPress core
  • Request a Google Safe Browsing review if flagged