Help! My WordPress site got hit with malware and I’m in a tough spot. I’m new to this whole website thing and didn’t set up any security measures. Big mistake!
My hosting company’s support team connected me with their security folks. They said the malware is really bad, infecting core WordPress files. They’re pushing me to buy Sitelock for $350, but that’s way out of my budget right now.
Are there any cheaper or free options to clean up my site? I’m desperate for a solution that won’t break the bank. Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Any tips or recommendations would be super helpful. I’m worried about losing my site if I can’t fix this soon.
hey there, been thru that myself. have u tried wordfence? its got a free version that can scan and clean up some malware. might not catch everything, but it’s a good start. also, backup ur site before messin with anything. godspeed!
I’ve faced similar issues before. While Wordfence is a good starting point, it may not catch everything. Consider using Sucuri’s free scanner (https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/) to get a more comprehensive malware report. If you’re comfortable with some technical work, manually cleaning infected files can be effective. Just be sure to back up everything first. As a long-term solution, invest in a security plugin and keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated. It’s much cheaper to prevent malware than to clean it up later. Good luck with the cleanup - it’s a frustrating process, but definitely manageable with some patience and research.
I feel your pain, Sky24. Malware’s a real nightmare. When my site got hit last year, I was in panic mode too. Here’s what worked for me without breaking the bank:
First, I used the free Sucuri scanner to pinpoint the infected files. Then, I rolled up my sleeves and manually cleaned them out. It was tedious, but way cheaper than paid services.
After that, I installed Wordfence (free version) for ongoing protection. It’s not perfect, but it catches a lot.
One crucial tip: always keep backups. I learned that the hard way. Now I use UpdraftPlus to automate backups to Google Drive.
Remember, prevention is key. Keep everything updated, use strong passwords, and limit plugin use. It’s a bit of work, but beats dealing with malware again.
Hang in there. It’s frustrating now, but you’ll get through this.