Scan WordPress for Malware with 10 Best Malware Plugins
Discover the top 10 WordPress malware scanner plugins for 2024. Protect your site with comprehensive scanning, real-time alerts, and effective malware removal. Find the best solutions to keep your WordPress site secure and malware-free.
Safeguarding your WordPress site from relentless malware threats is challenging, especially when your current scanner fails to detect malware on evidently hacked sites. In this article, I’ve reviewed the “Scan WordPress for Malware with 10 Best MalWare Plugins” for you.
If you’re using shared hosting, the risk amplifies as these servers are frequent targets. To make matters worse, most web hosts don’t provide their own malware scanners, leaving you vulnerable.
To assist you, our expert team has rigorously tested various plugins and compiled this helpful list. It features clear, unbiased reviews of the top WordPress malware scanners, all designed to enhance your site’s security.
TLDR: MalCare is the best free malware scanner for WordPress sites, providing a definitive, trustworthy report on whether your site is hacked. To remove malware, you’ll need to upgrade to a subscription.
A reliable WordPress malware scanner is crucial for your site’s security. However, choosing the right one can be challenging. With numerous options available, it’s important to note that not all scanners are created equal.
So, what is a malware scanner?
A malware scanner identifies and locates malware on a WordPress website. This point cannot be emphasized enough, as it’s often misunderstood.
Here’s what a malware scanner isn’t:
- It is not a vulnerability scanner, though that’s still crucial for site security.
- It is not a file change monitor.
- It is definitely not a blacklist scanner.
A good malware scanner must detect malware anywhere on a WordPress site, including files and the database. Malware doesn’t just reside in files; it can also infect database tables. Hacked redirect malware is a prime example of a database-based infection.
We rigorously tested several malware and virus scanners to determine which ones effectively detect malware. We evaluated 13 WordPress malware scanner plugins against:
- File-based malware in free and open-source plugins and themes: The easiest to find.
- File-based malware in premium plugins: Harder to detect due to the lack of openly available code for comparison.
- Database malware: Often overlooked by scanners.
- Custom malware: Variations of existing malware, altered to evade detection by signature-matching scanners that compare code to a database of malware signatures.
Equipped with a test site teeming with malware, we put these scanners through their paces. The results are below.
1. MalCare (The Best Plugin – Scan wordpress for malware)
MalCare is the only WordPress malware scanner that detected every instance of malware on our test site. We could end the review here since that’s the most crucial aspect of a malware scanner, but there’s more to discuss.
Let’s start from the beginning. Installing MalCare was simple: create an account, set up the site to sync, and within minutes, we had a scan report. Our test site was confirmed to be hacked, and upgrading the plan allowed us to clean it. The free plugin doesn’t show the location of the malware; it simply answers the question: is my site hacked?
While this might be off-putting for some, it provides a definitive answer. Additionally, the free plugin automatically scans your site once a day, offering considerable peace of mind at no cost. On-demand scans are a premium feature.
Crucially, MalCare flagged every single instance of malware on the site. We tested various types of malware with each scanner, and MalCare was the only one to catch them all. This success is due to its unique signal-based scanning algorithm, which examines the behavior of code to determine if it’s malicious, rather than comparing it word-for-word with a database of malware signatures. We’ll discuss the distinction between these methods later, but suffice it to say, signal-based scanning is superior to signature-matching.
One feature that really stood out among the (competent) competition is the lack of performance impact. The scanner operates remotely, using MalCare’s servers for the heavy lifting. Our test site’s server didn’t even register a blip on CPU and disk monitoring tools during scans.
Finally, MalCare correctly flagged all vulnerabilities in both themes and plugins. While this isn’t the primary purpose of a scanner, it’s a nice bonus, as vulnerabilities are a leading cause of hacks.
Features
- Automatic, daily scanner
- Scans the full site: files and database
- Signal-based malware detection
- Remote scanning
- Vulnerability scanning
Pros
- Highly effective scanner
- Finds malware in premium plugins and themes
- Effective against zero-day malware
- No false positives
- No missed malware
- No performance impact on the site
Cons
- Location of malware is only visible to paid users
Pricing
- Free malware scanning; location of malware and removal are premium features.
Verdict
MalCare is one of the best WordPress malware scanner plugins available, outshining all competition. We particularly appreciate that malware removal is also a feature, though it’s a premium one. If malware is detected on the site, the ability to swiftly remove it is invaluable.
2. Wordfence
As soon as we installed Wordfence on our test site, it flagged issues, which is exactly what we expected. Since our focus is solely on the malware scanning capabilities of the plugins, we bypassed the firewall and other security features, just as we did with MalCare, and went straight to the scan section.
Strangely, the initial scan showed results from a different site altogether. Despite our extensive testing of Wordfence over the years, we encountered old scan results from another site, likely due to using the same admin email address. This was not a good look for the scanner.
We started a new scan and noticed a significant dip in site performance. The site was noticeably slower to load, and our server monitoring tools showed a corresponding resource spike. It’s well-known that Wordfence can be a resource hog, but this is somewhat acceptable if the scanner performs well.
The Wordfence malware scanner flagged several issues, categorized into three main types: malicious or unsafe files, outdated core files, plugins, and themes, and modified files. However, one category was notably absent: there was no listing for database malware.
The malicious files were indeed infected with malware, and the modified core files were genuinely altered. In some cases, the modification was due to malware, while in others, it was not. We were surprised to see that license.txt was flagged as modified, even though we hadn’t changed the file. It turned out that a single character had been altered. Go figure.
Wordfence did a reasonable job of identifying file-based malware in free and open-source plugins and themes. However, it missed the database malware and flagged infected core files as ‘modified’ rather than ‘malicious,’ which downplays the severity of the issue.
According to their documentation, Wordfence offers a more current signature database for premium users, with free users gaining access to those signatures 30 days later. While it’s understandable that some features are reserved for premium users, a 30-day delay can be significant, as malware can worsen over time.
To our surprise, Wordfence did not alert us to vulnerabilities in several plugins and themes. It only flagged them as outdated and in need of updates. While we advocate for keeping sites updated, noting vulnerabilities typically prompts quicker action. It’s odd that this aspect wasn’t highlighted.
Overall, Wordfence still holds the second spot on this list, primarily because the other options are significantly worse. It’s a decent WordPress malware scanner plugin, but we wouldn’t rely on it entirely.
Features
- Comprehensive dashboard
- Automatic scans
- Plugin-based scanner
- Customizable scanning options
Pros
- Good file-based malware detection for free and open-source plugins and themes
- Customizable scan options
- Detects outdated core files, plugins, and themes
- Excellent documentation
Cons
- Missed malware in the site database
- Missed malware in premium plugins and themes
- Signature-based malware detection
- Free users receive access to the latest signatures 30 days late
- Performance impact on site and server
- Does not flag vulnerabilities
Pricing
- Free malware scanning; latest scan signatures available only to premium users.
Verdict
If MalCare didn’t exist, we would recommend Wordfence. Wordfence invests significant time and effort into security research, and much of that is reflected in their plugin. However, missed malware is a serious concern. Wordfence relies on a signature-matching database for malware detection, which often fails to catch new variants. Although Wordfence combats this with security research, the results are only immediately accessible to premium users, with free users waiting 30 days. Pricing strategies are challenging, so we understand the constraints.
3. Defender Security
Defender Security by WPMU DEV offers a free file integrity monitoring scanner that flags changes to files. After running a scan, you can immediately view a list of changed files. However, we observed that many intentional changes, such as custom code and files from other security plugins, were flagged as issues. This is concerning because most users, including us, may not fully understand how plugins are set up or which files they generate on a site.
The remainder of the scan report, including details on vulnerabilities, is behind a paywall. We cannot evaluate the full results of the scan without a paid subscription.
We purchased a plan and ran a new scan to see the results.
Immediately, we noticed that scanning for suspicious code and vulnerabilities was disabled by default. Scheduled scanning was also turned off. We enabled these features in the settings and initiated another scan.
The scan flagged some of the file-based malware, but not all of it. It missed the database malware and the malware in premium themes and plugins. On the plus side, there were no false positives, and all identified vulnerabilities were accurately flagged.
A noteworthy feature that sets Defender apart from other scanners is the addition of a notice to vulnerable plugins on the Plugins page. This prominent, contextual reminder helps ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed quickly.
One final point to note is that Defender’s support is among the best we have encountered.
Features
- Malware scanner
- Vulnerability detection
- File integrity monitoring
Pros
- External dashboard for site management
- Detected most file-based malware
- Identified all vulnerabilities on the site
- No false positives
- Excellent support
Cons
- Did not detect database malware
- Missed some malware
- Scan results are a premium feature
- File integrity monitoring flags legitimate plugin files
Pricing
- File integrity monitoring is free; malware scanning is a premium feature with plans starting at $36 per year per site.
Verdict
In our view, any missed malware indicates a failed scanner. Defender missed about 30% of the malware on our test site, including a particularly nasty redirect infection. Normally, this would be a dealbreaker. However, Defender does offer a strong user experience for vulnerability management, albeit as a paid feature.
4. Sucuri 
In a word, Sucuri was a disappointment. We had high expectations for the most popular WordPress security plugin, but the experience fell short.
Upon installing Sucuri, we received a clean report from the free version of the plugin. After further investigation, we realized that despite having installed the plugin, we were essentially only getting access to the online scan—similar to what SiteCheck offers. It’s a letdown.
We then upgraded to try the server-side scanner, which we were led to believe would be significantly more effective.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Both scanners indicated that our malware-infected site was free of issues, which was far from the truth (see MalCare and Wordfence results above).
Outdated plugins and themes are incongruously hidden in the Post-Hack tab. Additionally, there’s no indication of which updates are crucial due to the vulnerabilities they address. Strangely, our outdated WordPress version wasn’t flagged either. It seems Sucuri isn’t aware that over 95% of hacks are due to vulnerabilities.
The file integrity monitor did flag some differences in the core WordPress files and suggested we determine whether these were due to malware. This is far from ideal, as it requires a level of coding expertise that most users simply don’t have.
The final blow was that Sucuri flagged legitimate premium plugin and theme files as suspect, asking users to confirm whether these assessments were accurate.
If Sucuri expects users to have such discernment regarding malware, why would they need Sucuri at all?
Features
- Server-side scanner
- File integrity monitoring
Pros
- Unlimited on-demand scanning
Cons
- Free scanner is ineffective
- Premium scanner is also ineffective
- Missed malware
Pricing
- Free client-side scanner; premium server-side scanner.
Verdict
We struggled to find any positives with Sucuri’s malware scanner. Although we tested their malware removal service in another article and found it to be top-notch, relying on Sucuri’s scanners to identify malware would leave us in the dark. The only reason Sucuri isn’t further down this list is because their malware removal service and customer support are excellent. Otherwise, it would be at the bottom of the list with some other subpar options.
5. NinjaScanner
NinjaScanner may look unassuming, but it performed surprisingly well at detecting malware. (We’ve also tested their WordPress firewall plugin and found it to be one of the better options, though still not as good as MalCare.)
Initially, the scan options didn’t inspire much confidence. For reference, malware can hide in image files—think hacked favicon files—and doesn’t confine itself to small-sized files. The general rule is that malware can be anywhere on the site.
The scan report was thorough, to say the least
In the anti-malware section of the report, we were pleased to see that many infected files had been flagged. NinjaScanner even highlighted the problematic parts of the malware within these files. However, the highlighted portions were only fragments of the full script. While removing these fragments would significantly impair the script, it’s worth questioning why not eliminate the entire malicious script altogether.
Additionally, NinjaScanner doesn’t appear to scan the database for malware. This was notably absent from the report, and our test malware was missing from the list of detected malicious code.
Features
- Malware scanner
- Scheduled scans
- File integrity checker
- Blacklist scanner
- Email reports
- WP-CLI scanner
Pros
- Detected file-based malware in premium plugins and themes
Cons
- Missed some malware
- Did not scan the database for malware
- Flagged legitimate, harmless plugin files as suspicious
- No vulnerability checks
- Basic dashboard
Pricing
- Free on-demand malware scanner; to schedule regular automatic scans, upgrade to a plan starting at $19.50 per year.
Verdict
NinjaScanner is a no-frills WordPress malware scanner plugin. While it doesn’t catch all types of malware, particularly those in the database, it does effectively detect most file-based malware, outperforming many other scanners on this list. However, it surprisingly does not flag vulnerable plugins and themes, which was a notable oversight.
6. Malcure
Malcure scans both the files and the database of a WordPress site for malware. Upon installing the plugin, we were informed via an upgrade notice that the malware signatures were not up-to-date. To access the latest signatures, an upgrade was required. This approach is similar to Wordfence, which also restricts the latest security research to premium users.
The same concerns apply here: malware can worsen the longer it remains on a site. While we understand the need for a premium product, in our view, malware signatures should be available to all users.
After completing the Malcure scan, we could see issues listed in the report. Although the redirect hack—a particularly insidious form of malware—has its own section in the report, Malcure failed to detect it on our site.
Further down in the report, we were initially pleased to see a section dedicated to database malware. However, once again, the scanner failed to detect the malware we had inserted into the database.
The files marked as severe were genuinely problematic. Unfortunately, many of those labeled as unknown were also severely infected.
Finally, the list of file-based malware seemed a bit short. We’re assuming that the full report is available to paid users. Otherwise, the takeaway is that the scanner did not detect all the malware.
Features
- Malware scanner
- File change monitor
Pros
- Free malware scanner
Cons
- Latest malware signatures are a premium feature
- Uses signature-matching rather than signal-matching for detection
- Missed malware
- False positives
Pricing
- Free malware scanning; full scan report available starting at $149 per site per year.
Verdict
Malcure fell short as a WordPress malware scanner. Missing malware is a significant issue, as detecting malware is the core purpose of a scanner. Unfortunately, Malcure didn’t meet that essential requirement.
7. BulletProof Security
BulletProof Security, like many other WordPress malware scanner plugins, conflates file matching with malware scanning. This is a common but serious mistake.
File matching is just one method for detecting malware. It’s insufficient on its own, as it can result in false positives by flagging custom code and premium plugins or themes as malicious. Relying solely on file matching fails to account for the complexity and variety of malware.
The reason we emphasize this issue is that when we first ran a scan with BulletProof Security, it downloaded fresh installs of core files, plugins, and themes from the WordPress repository for comparison. It creates hashes of these files and stores these references on the server, consuming resources and using them for future scans.
BulletProof Security presents a mixed bag: on the one hand, it detected database malware that other plugins missed; on the other hand, it flagged numerous false positives due to its pattern matching approach. The security report even acknowledges that false positives are a common issue with their database scanner.
The file scanner report was plagued with false positives, making it difficult to use effectively. An admin shouldn’t have to sift through the report to distinguish between malicious and legitimate code, as this approach risks potential site crashes.
Features
- Malware scanner
- Scheduled scanner
Pros
- Detects file-based and database malware
Cons
- False positives
- Missed some malware
- No vulnerability scanner
- Potentially crashes the site
- Uses site resources for scanning
- Significant performance impact
Pricing
- Free scanner; all features available for unlimited sites with a one-time fee of $69.
Verdict
Despite detecting more malware than other plugins, BulletProof Security’s significant issue with false positives undermines its effectiveness.
8. Security Ninja
Security Ninja’s security tests initially appear to focus on hardening the site. However, there are dedicated tabs for vulnerabilities and malware, which is a reassuring feature.
First, we checked the malware tab. While free users couldn’t access detailed information, the list of suspicious files was visible. The results were mixed: Security Ninja flagged both file and database malware, but there were instances of missed malware and false positives.
To our surprise, the security report was presented as an image. It resembled a scan report but lacked the interactive and detailed elements one would expect from a comprehensive security tool.
We proceeded to purchase the pro version of the plugin, installed it, and activated it. Unfortunately, this caused the site to crash.
After some troubleshooting, we managed to get wp-admin back up. We finally ran a scan, but the results were mixed once again.
Security Ninja flagged only a fraction of the malware found in the files and missed all the database malware. Additionally, it incorrectly flagged legitimate plugin files as malicious.
The vulnerabilities tab reinforced our concerns. Although Security Ninja did identify some vulnerabilities in themes and plugins, it failed to catch them all.
Features
- Malware scanner
- Vulnerability scanner
- Security check
- Scheduled scans
- Email reports
Pros
- Thorough security checklist
- Flagged some file-based malware
Cons
- Installation caused a critical error
- Malware scanner is a premium feature
- Missed some malware
- False positives
- Repeatedly crashes the site
- Vulnerability scanner failed to flag all vulnerabilities
- Confusing UI
Pricing
- Scanner available for $39.99 per site per year
Verdict
Security Ninja did not meet expectations and is a definite miss for us.
9. Jetpack
Let’s be honest: we expect solid performance from Jetpack. So, when the scanner failed to identify any malicious code—whether in the files or the database—it was disappointing.
That wraps up our review of the Jetpack malware scanner. What else is there to add?
Features
- Automatic malware scanning
- Threat notifications
Pros
- External dashboard
Cons
- Malware scanning is a premium feature
- Missed all malware
Pricing
- Plans with malware scanning start at $40 per year per site
Verdict
The Jetpack malware scan failed to detect any malware on our test site.
10. Security & Malware Scan by CleanTalk
We’re fans of CleanTalk’s anti-spam plugin, so adding their malware scanner to our review list was a must.
Before starting the scan, we took a look at the settings. It’s worth noting there’s a small, easy-to-miss option labeled “Cure malware.” We decided to leave this feature unchecked for now.
The scanner begins by hashing all core files, plugins, and themes from the repository. Generally, we’re not fans of file matching for malware detection, as it often results in a lot of false positives.
The results were disappointing. File-based malware was marked as merely suspicious rather than critical. Only one file was correctly flagged as infected, while a harmless MalCare file was incorrectly identified as infected. We’re glad we left the ‘Cure malware’ option unchecked, as it might have led to the deletion of legitimate plugin files. Additionally, no database malware was detected.
Features
- Automatic scanning
- Heuristic and signature-based analysis
- File change detection
Pros
- Free malware detection
Cons
- Missed malware
- False positives
- Relies on file matching for scanning
Pricing
- Free malware scanner
Verdict Security & Malware Scan by CleanTalk fell short of expectations. While their anti-spam plugin is aggressive and effective, the malware scanner was a major disappointment.
Key Considerations When Choosing the Best WordPress Malware Scanner Plugin
1. Functionality: Ensure the plugin is specifically designed to scan for malware. Many plugins may focus on other tasks like vulnerability scanning or file change detection, which, while useful, are not substitutes for dedicated malware detection.
2. Comprehensive Scanning: Evaluate whether the plugin performs full scans that cover the entire site, including files, themes, plugins, and the database. Online scanners can be limited, as they often can’t access server-side files.
3. Detection Accuracy: A good scanner should be thorough and leave no malware undetected, including backdoors and hidden threats. It should have zero tolerance for missed malware.
4. Detection Methods: Consider whether the plugin uses signature-based or signal-based detection. Signature-based methods may miss new or unknown malware, while signal-based detection is more dynamic and effective against emerging threats.
5. Beyond File Matching: Ensure the scanner doesn’t rely solely on file matching with repository code, as this can lead to false positives and miss malware in custom or premium themes and plugins.
6. Performance Impact: Remote scanners generally perform better as they don’t affect your site’s performance. Local scanning can slow down your site due to server resource usage.
7. Regular Scans: Opt for a scanner that offers automatic, scheduled scans to ensure continuous monitoring without manual intervention.
You may also like this 👉 8 Best WordPress Anti Spam Plugins
Do You Need a Malware Scanner Plugin for WordPress?
Absolutely. No security system or firewall is foolproof. Even with robust firewalls, there’s always a risk of a security breach. A reliable malware scanner provides an additional layer of protection by regularly checking your site and alerting you to any issues. It’s crucial for maintaining the trust of your visitors, web hosts, and Google, which could otherwise penalize your site’s reputation.
What to Do If Your Scanner Detects Malware
If your scanner identifies malware, act quickly to address it. Follow a thorough malware removal guide to clean and secure your site. Time is critical when dealing with malware to prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Keeping your WordPress site secure from malware is challenging, especially if your scanner isn’t fully effective. Based on extensive testing, MalCare stands out as the top choice for a WordPress malware scanner. It provides a reliable and comprehensive solution for detecting and addressing malware issues.
FAQs
How do I check for malware on WordPress?
To check for malware on WordPress, install a malware scanner plugin like MalCare. The plugin will scan your site and alert you to any potential threats. Alternatively, you can manually inspect your site files and database for unusual or suspicious code.
How do I run a malware scan on my website?
Install a malware scanner plugin such as MalCare, then follow the setup instructions to sync your site. The plugin will initiate a scan automatically, checking your site for potential threats.
How do I protect my WordPress site from malware?
Protect your WordPress site by keeping plugins, themes, and WordPress updated. Use strong, unique passwords and install a reliable security plugin like MalCare, which provides regular scanning and instant alerts for potential threats.
Which is the best free malware scanner plugin?
MalCare offers one of the best free malware scanner plugins for WordPress. It provides reliable reports on your site’s security status. To access malware removal features, an upgrade to a paid subscription is required.
Which is the best malware scanning service?
MalCare is highly recommended for its exceptional malware scanning services. It offers comprehensive scanning, timely detection, and prompt removal services.
There was malware on my site, but the scan is showing clean. What should I do now?
If your site is showing clean despite known malware, try running a scan with a different plugin or service like MalCare. Some plugins may not scan the entire site or may miss scripts and database malware. MalCare is known for its thorough scanning capabilities.
Thinking about installing multiple malware scanners—what’s your take?
Using multiple malware scanners can lead to confusion, performance issues, and increased false positives. It’s generally more effective to choose one robust scanner like MalCare and complement it with strong preventive measures such as regular updates, strong passwords, and secure hosting.
Malware is affecting our shared server with about 20 WordPress websites.
Notify your hosting provider immediately for assistance in isolating the issue. Install a trusted malware scanner like MalCare on each site, run full scans, and follow the instructions to clean up the malware. Enhance security measures to prevent future infections.
Error or problem scanning malware on my WordPress website.
Ensure your security plugin is correctly installed and updated. If problems persist, contact customer support for help or try a different plugin. MalCare is recommended for its effective malware detection and ease of use.
How to scan the WordPress database for malware?
Use a reliable plugin like MalCare to scan both your site’s files and database for malware. Install the plugin, run a scan, and it will handle the process of checking for malicious code or unusual activity in your database.
I need to know the right way to scan infected website files.
Use a reputable security plugin like MalCare to scan infected website files. After installation, initiate a scan to review your website’s files and identify any infected or suspicious files. MalCare also checks the database, as malware can often reside there too.
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