What a real cleanup involves
Malware removal is more than deleting one suspicious file. We take a full snapshot first so nothing is lost, then scan the whole install — core files, themes, plugins, the database, and the uploads folder — against known-good versions to find every injected line, not just the one your scanner flagged.
We also read file timestamps and access logs to understand how the attacker got in, because a cleaned site that still has the same open door gets reinfected within days.
- Full pre-cleanup backup so no content or orders are lost during the work
- File-by-file comparison against clean core, plugin, and theme releases to catch hidden injections
- Database cleanup for injected spam links, rogue admin users, and malicious redirects
- Removal of backdoors and web shells that let attackers back in later
- Log review to find the entry point — a vulnerable plugin, stolen password, or weak host
- Rotation of passwords, database credentials, and security keys once the site is clean
Getting off Google's blocklist
A hacked site often gets tagged with a "deceptive site ahead" warning or dropped from search. Cleaning the files is only half the job — you then have to prove to Google and your host that the threat is gone.
We submit review requests through Google Search Console and your host's abuse team, then watch for the warning to clear.
- Submit for review in Google Search Console once the site is verified clean
- Address host suspensions and abuse notices directly with the provider
- Re-check the site against public blocklists like Google Safe Browsing
- Confirm the domain's reputation isn't quietly hurting your email deliverability
Hardening so it doesn't happen again
We finish by closing the gaps that allowed it — updating everything, removing abandoned plugins, and adding basic protections. If reinfection risk is genuinely high, we'll say so plainly and recommend ongoing monitoring rather than pretending one cleanup makes a fragile site safe.
- Update or replace the specific component that was exploited
- Remove unused plugins, themes, and dormant admin accounts
- Add a web application firewall and login protection where it fits
- Lock down file permissions and disable code execution in upload folders
- Optional ongoing monitoring so a reinfection is caught early
More on website care & maintenance
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my content or have to rebuild the site?
Almost never. We start with a full backup and clean in place, so your pages, images, and posts stay intact. A rebuild only comes up if the site was so heavily compromised or so far out of date that cleaning costs more than starting fresh — and we'd tell you that plainly before doing anything.
How long does malware removal take?
Many infections are cleaned within a day or two once we have access. Heavily infected sites, multisite installs, and stores with a lot of custom code take longer. We give you a realistic timeline after an initial look, not a canned promise.
My host said they cleaned it — why is it back?
Automated host cleanups often remove the visible malware but miss the backdoor and the original entry point, so the site gets reinfected. Lasting removal means finding how they got in, closing it, and rotating every credential. Book a free consultation and we'll assess whether the root cause was actually fixed.