How to Check and Scan Your Website for Malware

Running a website means dealing with various risks. One of the biggest risks of them all is malware. 

Malware is often designed to work silently, making it easy for infections to go unnoticed until serious damage is done. The effects of cyberattacks are so severe that 60% of small businesses are forced to shut down within six months of being hit by the attack. 

That’s why routine checks for malware are crucial for your website. By regularly scanning your webpage, you can catch potential threats early and prevent more grave issues down the line. 

This article will discuss what malware is and what outcomes it entails for your site. We’ll also guide you through how to check for signs of malware and suggest effective scanning tools you can use. 

What is website malware? 

Website malware is malicious software designed to infiltrate and damage a site without the owner’s knowledge. Its primary purpose is to give attackers unauthorized access, steal sensitive data, or take control of a website’s functionality. Once malware finds its way onto a website, it can disrupt operations, compromise user information, or spread harmful content to visitors. 

Here are some of the common types of malware:

• • • SQL injection. This is where hackers insert malicious code into an application’s database, which allows them to view and alter sensitive information. 

• • • Cross-site scripting (XSS). This happens when attackers inject harmful scripts into web pages that are executed in the user’s browser. This malware potentially exposes session data or user information. 

• • • Trojans. Trojans are disguised as legitimate files or software that can also enter a website’s system. This virus provides hackers backdoor access to monitor and control site functions. 

• • • Defacement attacks. These are forms of attacks where malicious actors replace a website’s content with their own messages, often to spread misinformation or disrupt a brand’s reputation.

Why routine malware checks are crucial 

Routine malware scanning keeps your website secure and your business running smoothly. If malware goes undetected, the consequences can be critical. 

Firstly, malware leads to data breaches that expose customer information. This issue damages your repeat customers’ trust and can drive away new ones from your site. 

In addition, malware harms your website’s SEO rankings. Search engines like Google actively blacklist infected sites to protect users. If your site is flagged, it can disappear entirely from search results. Getting blacklisted leads to a major drop in organic traffic and affects your business’ visibility. 

Lastly, malware disrupts website functionality by slowing it down, redirecting visitors, or causing it to crash. Poor user experience frustrates customers and pushes them to look elsewhere. 

The best way to avoid these problems is through regular malware scans. These routine checks help you with early malware detection and fix issues before they escalate.

How to check for malware on your website 

You can take a few simple steps to determine if you have a hacked site. First, observe your website and look for some common signs of malware infections. Then, if you suspect your site is compromised, do a manual inspection. If you don’t spot any issues, it’s best to use an automated website malware scanner to be sure. 

Let’s elaborate on these tips: 

Recognize website malware signs 

Malware infections on a website can often go unnoticed if you’re not actively looking for them. Here are some common indicators that could mean your site is affected: 

Unauthorized changes in settings or content 

Malware can alter your site’s appearance, change settings, add links, or display ads you didn’t authorize. You might also see unusual pop-ups, redirects, or other content that wasn’t part of your original design. 

Slow performance and frequent crashes 

Some malware strains your server’s resources, causing your site to load slowly or experience frequent crashes. This happens because the malware is using your server’s CPU or memory to perform tasks, such as sending spam emails or mining cryptocurrency. 

Unexpected changes in SEO rankings or traffic 

Malware can lead to sudden drops in SEO rankings or irregular traffic patterns. Some infections redirect visitors to different sites or inject keywords and spam links. These actions can affect the structure of your site’s content and disrupt its usual traffic flow. 

Warnings from Google Safe Browsing 

Google’s Safe Browsing feature might flag your site if it detects malware or phishing threats. This can result in visible warnings to users in search results, indicating potential security risks. To check, simply enter your URL into Google’s Transparency Report page, and it will show any active warnings or security issues Google has detected. 

New or unknown user accounts 

Malware can create unauthorized user accounts with admin privileges that allow hackers to continually access your site. If you notice accounts you didn’t create with elevated permissions, it’s a strong indicator of a security breach. 

Manually check website for malware 

You might think security threats like malware are difficult for a non-expert to find. However, doing a simple manual inspection can help you spot any unusual activity without needing advanced skills. You only need to look in the right places. 

Inspect source code 

View the source code of your site to find unfamiliar scripts or embedded links. Specifically, look for <script> and <iframe> tags, which hackers commonly use to inject malicious code. 

If you see code pointing to unknown URLs or strange file names, it’s worth investigating further. Browsers like Chrome allow you to view source code easily, or you can use web developer tools for a more detailed examination. 

File review 

Regularly review your site’s files and focus on any that have been recently modified. Files with odd names or those that have been changed without recent site updates might contain malware. 

It’s particularly important to examine core Content Management System (CMS) files, as hackers often target these. Use a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client or your web hosting file manager to check for unusual file activity. 

Database scan 

Malware often targets your website’s database by injecting harmful code. Use a tool like phpMyAdmin to access your database and search for suspicious code. These might include functions such as ‘eval,’ ‘base64_decode,’ ‘gzinflate,’ and ‘shell_exec.’ 

These are commonly used by attackers to hide malicious scripts. Additionally, check for strange data entries or unauthorized modifications in critical tables, as malware can exploit these to create backdoors. 

Review server logs 

Your server logs contain valuable information about visitor activity and potential threats. Reviewing these logs can help you identify repeated login attempts, access from unexpected locations, or visits to pages that don’t typically receive traffic. Suspicious behavior in your logs could indicate an infection or attempted breach. 

Use automated malware scanners 

While manual checks are helpful, automated tools can make detecting malicious code easier and more thorough. These scanners provide comprehensive security checks that often catch issues that manual methods might miss. 

SiteLock 

SiteLock offers a free basic scan that reviews your site’s public pages for malware and other website security issues. For deeper protection, SiteLock’s paid plans include daily deep scans, server-side scanning, and automated malware removal. 

Its premium features also include a Web Application Firewall (WAF), Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, and blacklist monitoring. These premium options come with immediate alerts and proactive responses to threats. 

Sucuri SiteCheck 

Sucuri SiteCheck offers a free external malware scanner that analyzes the public-facing content of your website. Simply enter your URL, and the tool will check for malware, blacklisting status, and signs of harmful code. 

It also identifies if your site has been flagged by authorities like Google Safe Browsing. Moreover, Sucuri’s paid plan includes server-side scanning, a WAF, and automated malware removal. 

VirusTotal 

VirusTotal provides a comprehensive, free scan that checks your URL against multiple security engines and antivirus databases. It collects data from various malware definitions and analyzes the site’s reputation, IP address, and possible vulnerabilities. 

Jetpack (for WordPress) 

Jetpack offers essential security features for free, including spam filtering and basic site monitoring. The paid version provides a WordPress site with automated daily malware scans, real-time backups, and a WAF for enhanced protection. 

Jetpack’s integration with WordPress allows for seamless use, with daily scans and instant alerts when issues are detected. 

Wordfence (for WordPress) 

Wordfence’s free version includes a server-side scanner that inspects core files, themes, and plugins in a WordPress website. It also includes a firewall, IP blocking, and basic login security. 

In addition, if you upgrade to the premium plan, you’ll have access to real-time updates and immediate malware database access. 

Quttera 

Quttera is one of many free online malware scanners that provide comprehensive security tools. It inspects your website’s front end for suspicious files and links and detects common malware. 

Other than that, it determines your blacklisting status and identifies abnormal behavior on public pages. This tool works on all website platforms and provides a detailed analysis report of any detected threats and potential blacklist flags. 

How to protect your site from malware attacks 

1. Do regular backups 

Doing frequent backups allows you to restore your site to a safe, previous state if an attack occurs. Many hosting providers and security tools offer automatic daily or weekly backups. You can also do it manually through your CMS or a third-party service. Having these backups on hand minimizes downtime and makes recovery smoother in case of a breach. 

2. Secure admin panel access 

Protecting access to your admin panel is crucial to prevent unauthorized logins. Follow these best practices to shield your website further:

• • • Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid common or easily guessed passwords. To make it harder to crack, use uppercase and lowercase letters and add symbols and numbers. 

• • • Limit access to admin accounts. Only provide admin-level access to trusted team members who need it. Fewer admin accounts mean fewer potential entry points for hackers. 

• • • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). A second authentication step adds a significant security layer to your login process. This makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access.

3. Update CMS and plugins constantly 

Developers often devise updates to include fixes for vulnerabilities that hackers are currently targeting. By regularly updating, you’ll always be one step ahead of them. While they’re still figuring out how to exploit old security flaws, your site is already running on more secure software. 

4. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) 

A WAF is a powerful security tool that screens traffic between your website and the internet. Its main goal is to block malicious code before it reaches your webpage. By inspecting incoming requests, a WAF can identify and prevent common attack patterns, such as SQL injections, XSS, and DDoS attacks. 

Tools like Jetpack and SiteLock offer WAF options that analyze incoming data against a constantly updated list of threats. This database is updated regularly to ensure protection against the newest threats. 

What to do if website malware is detected 

Step 1: Isolate the threat. Disconnect your website from the internet immediately to contain the damage and prevent visitors from interacting with your infected site. Consider placing your webpage in maintenance mode or taking it offline temporarily. 

Step 2: Use restoration tools or seek expert help. If you’re not confident handling malware cleanup manually, use restoration services instead. Tools and services like Sucuri and SiteLock offer professional malware removal and can clean your site thoroughly. 

Step 3: Remove backdoors and restore files. Malware often leaves backdoors that allow attackers to regain access after cleanup. Carefully inspect your site files and database for any unauthorized changes. Replace compromised files with clean versions and delete any suspicious scripts or code injections. If your site uses WordPress or another CMS, re-download core files from trusted sources and replace them on your site to ensure that all files are clean. 

Step 4: Monitor for reinfection. After you’ve cleaned your site, set up automated tools to monitor for malware regularly. Ongoing monitoring with tools like SiteLock, Sucuri, or Wordfence can alert you to any potential reinfections early. 

Go the extra mile in website security 

Don’t let a malware attack cause all your hard work to go down the drain. It pays to be proactive in securing your business website. 

In this article, you’ve learned that hackers design malware to penetrate your website stealthily. Malicious actors use this attack to access your site’s sensitive data or spread infected code to visitors. These actions can severely harm your website, if not lead to it being inoperable. 

Luckily, you can prevent website hacks by regularly checking your website for malware. You can either do a manual inspection or use automated malware scanners. With Domain.com, you can take your website security to the next level. Consider our SiteLock security plans and put your mind at ease once and for all.