My client recently found out that their website has been infected with the WPCode Lite malware. It appears that some plugins were installed on their website without their knowledge, and now the malware keeps coming back even after removing or deactivating the “WPCode Lite” plugin. WPCode is a popular WordPress code snippet plugin that allows you to add custom WordPress features using code snippets without editing your theme’s functions.php file. It includes a code snippet library and supports adding your own snippets. In this article, I will provide some steps you can take to resolve the hidden WordPress plugin malware caused by WPCode Lite.
Removing the “WPCode Lite” Malware and Securing Your WordPress Site
- Locate the Malware
- Search for the hidden “WPCode Lite” plugin on your WordPress site.
- Check the Plugins section in your WordPress dashboard.
- If not found there, navigate to cPanel > Softaculous > WordPress Management > Manage Plugins > Installed Tab > WPCode Lite.
- Eliminate the Threat
- Deactivate the “WPCode Lite” plugin.
- Completely remove it from your WordPress installation.
- Post-Removal Security Measures
- Conduct a comprehensive malware scan of your website.
- Utilize a trusted security plugin or seek professional assistance for thorough scanning.
- Address any detected malware by following expert recommendations or plugin guidelines.
- Ongoing Protection
- Regularly update all WordPress themes and plugins to their latest versions.
- Keep your WordPress core installation current to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
To effectively eliminate the “WPCode Lite” malware and bolster your WordPress site’s defenses against future security threats, follow these guidelines:
- Implement a temporary safety measure by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:
define('WPCODE_SAFE_MODE', true);
This prevents the plugin from executing any snippets, allowing you to safely disable the problematic code. To prevent new plugin installation and file edits, you can add the following lines to your wp-config.php file. This is not a permanent solution, but it will stop attackers from uploading content.
define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true); define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
To protect your website from future malware attacks, learn about WordPress security best practices. If you host with us, contact us today to discuss your website and ensure it is malware-free. Our WordPress CMS hosting expert will help secure your website on our server in Singapore. Choose reliable hosting with Angkor Design by hosting with us.
Learn more: https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wpcode-hidden/
Understanding WordPress Security: Why Hackers Target Your Site?