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Tips to prevent Malware from WordPress

Date : 25th May, 2012

WordPress is one of the most popular open source software available and currently powering more than 70 million website worldwide. Software by its very nature is something that needs to be maintained, as new updates and versions become available. Since 2004 WordPress is available for free. From the very first version of WordPress to its latest, there have been hundreds of updates available, some of which have big loopholes. From the past few years “Malware” have been frequently used in conjunction with WordPress websites that have been hacked through one of these loopholes. Malware basically is a virus with a payload in PC; the term now is more often used to describe a WordPress website that’s been infected with SEO spam, or malicious scripts or codes.

The best way to prevent malware ion WordPress is simply keeping it up to date and upgrade it as soon as an upgrade is available. Along with the updates, it’s important to make sure that the installed theme and plugins are updated as well.

Here are few quick tips for Malware prevention:

  • Theme: Review your old theme. If you have been using the same theme for some time now, it’s always better to review your theme and update it as soon as possible. If you have a custom made theme, be sure to have it reviewed by a competent web design developer in Swansea. It’s wise to review and update the theme atleast once in a year.
  • Plugins: If you’re not using any old plugins, it’s wiser to remove it. Even unused plugins can be a security risk. Make sure to leave only the used and installed plugins that have had an update within last 12-18 months. Don’t use old plugins with updated version of WordPress, because they might just have security loopholes.
  • Security: It’s always sensible to install and configure one or more popular WordPress plugins to secure and harden your website. You can easily add multiple additional layers of basic security in WordPress by changing your admin username, the default WordPress table name etc.

If in any situation you think that your WordPress has been hacked with malware, the first thing to do in such situation is to get a backup copy of your website, along with a copy of webhosting account downloaded to your computer, as well as a copy of your database. Also install a free malware scanner plugins, activate it and see if you can find a source of infection. If you’re a software person you’ll be able to remove it on your own, otherwise take help from your web development company, Swansea, they might give you a solution.

 

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