My WordPress Site Got a Virus! What Should I Do Now?

To clean viruses from your WordPress site, follow these steps:

1. Take a Backup: First, back up your current website. This ensures you can restore your site if data is lost during the cleanup process.
2. Check for Updates: Update WordPress, your theme, and plugins. Older versions can cause security vulnerabilities, so updates are crucial.
3. Run a Malware Scan: Use a reliable security plugin like Sucuri or Wordfence to scan your site. These plugins detect and help you clean malicious software and harmful files.
4. Change Passwords: Change your WordPress admin password, FTP, and cPanel passwords. This helps prevent unauthorized access.
5. Check File Permissions: Verify that your WordPress file and folder permissions are correct and secure.
6. Clean the Database: Check your database for malicious code and clean it.
7. Inspect the .htaccess File: Review your .htaccess file for malicious code or redirects and clean it.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean your WordPress site from viruses and secure it against future threats.