How We Removed Malware from a Hacked WordPress Site in 30 Minutes

One of our customers recently reached out regarding an issue with their website. The site would load normally when typing the URL directly into a browser, but when clicking a link from Google, visitors were redirected to an unrelated website. We were asked to identify and resolve the issue.

After a brief discovery call with the customer and further analysis, we determined that the website had been compromised. We plan to conduct a forensic audit to understand how the attacker gained access. Several outdated plugins with severe vulnerabilities were identified, providing multiple possible entry points.

Within approximately 30 minutes, we removed the malware and updated the affected plugins. While the site is currently healthy, we are implementing additional preventative measures to reduce the risk of future exploitation.

Why WordPress?

WordPress is a double-edged sword. It provides businesses with an accessible way to maintain a web presence, but it can also be easily exploited if not properly maintained. WordPress powers over 43% of websites on the internet, and its popularity makes it a frequent target for attackers.

Maintenance

There are a few simple steps you can take to help keep your WordPress website secure:

• Avoid installing untrusted or unnecessary plugins
• Regularly update WordPress core
• Regularly update plugins
• Use a Web Application Firewall such as Cloudflare or Sucuri
• Use a trusted hosting provider
• Install Wordfence

If managing all of this feels overwhelming, feel free to reach out to us at support@nerdsec.io. We would be happy to help you maintain a secure online presence.