Maybe your WordPress site has been infected with some malicious code or you just want to scan your WordPress installation for potential malicious code, it is always good to know that our site is free of malicious codes. In this article I will show you how to scan WordPress for vulnerabilities.
There are two ways you can scan WordPress for malicious codes either within your site using some plugins or externally using online scanners. You can even use the two methods if you want to track any suspected malicious activities on your WordPress site to the roots.
Sucuri
Sucuri is an online WordPress security scanner which you can use to scan your WordPress installation for vulnerabilities. Sucuri has both free and premium WordPress scanning services, while the free version can check how well your site is doing, the premium version can even offer more.
Simply visit Sucuri and enter your WordPress site address in the “Scan your website for free” text field and click the “Scan this Site” button to scan your WordPress site for malicious codes.
From the result shown above you can see that my WordPress blog Netmediablog is clean from any sort of malicious codes. If your result is not as clean as mine then you may have to hire the malware clean up service of Sucuri to clean up your site for you.
Hacker Target
Hacker Target is another online WordPress scanner to scan WordPress for vulnerabilities. Just as Sucuri above, Hacker Target will scan your WordPress for malicious codes and grade its performance. Simple visit Hacker Target and enter your WordPress site URL and click the “Start WordPress Security Scan” button to initiate the scan.
Hacker Target will test for vulnerabilities from your WordPress Plugins because plugins are a source of many security vulnerabilities with WordPress installations, Hosting environment and web server. It is also recommended you keep your WordPress themes and plugins always updated at all times.
Exploit Scanner
Exploit scanner is a free WordPress plugin that can search your WordPress files and database for malicious codes. Exploit scanner checks for signs of malicious activities on your entire WordPress setup including plugins and WordPress Core, post pages and even comments. It is a good plugin to scan WordPress for vulnerabilities.
Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC)
Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC) is a free WordPress plugin to scan all your WordPress theme files for potentially malicious or unwanted codes. It is common for hackers to inject links into a theme and attack the site from it, so this Theme Authenticity Checker (TAC) can help you fish out such codes.
Acunetix WP Security
Another free WordPress plugin to scan WordPress for vulnerabilities is the Acunetix WP Security plugin. Acunetix WP Security scans your entire WordPress installation for vulnerabilities and suggests corrective measures for securing file permissions, security of the database, version hiding, admin protection etc.
WebsiteDefender WordPress Security
WebsiteDefender WordPress Security is yet another free WordPress plugin that helps you secure your WordPress installation and provides detailed reporting on discovered vulnerabilities and how to fix them. You can scan your WordPress site with WebsiteDefender WordPress Security and generate a security overview of your site.
Must Read: Necessary WordPress Security Plugins every blog should have
I hope you can secure your WordPress site by scanning for vulnerabilities now using the online WordPress scanners or plugins listed in this article. If you have any contribution and any plugin or online scanner you may want to suggest, please use the comment form below to share with me, remember to state reasons why it is great.
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Huge list. I’d go with Acunetix as it proceeds with detailed approach and gives a glimpse of every aspect/tunnel/loophole/ports. Obviously rest all are sophisticated too. Thanks for sharing! :)
Hi Nwosu,
I have to say that’s something I’ve never thought about “malicious codes” on my site? I’ve never checked for anything like that, but your post really gives me some great information to check out my sites. I’m just a bit scared of what I would find.
Thank you for sharing these great tips.
Glad you found it interesting. Thanks for laving a worthy comment.
If you have used good plugins, a good theme and have avoided bad linking then you have nothing to worry about.
thanks for sharing these tools nwosu because security is not only the main concern for bloggers but also for our readers since no one wants to visit website with malicious software, worms or similar threats
Hi Nwosu,
I never knew something like this existed but it doesn’t surprise me. Security these days are very important to have as the awareness for hackers is getting bigger. Thanks for sharing this!
nice artice..i think this review has some genetic impact regarding how users view about this article.How to Create Menus in android Phones
It’s nice article. I found malicious code in my sites. Thanks for these tools.
Interesting, huh? Scanning WordPress to see if there are spams, blacklisted, malicious Javascript and iframes and etc.. Well, that is pretty impressive! Bloggers will give it a shot in no hesitation. To wrap it up, well-written! :)
Your post has been shared on Kingged.com, IM social bookmarking site, enabling me to find this good piece.
I hope you have been able to get rid of it.
Thanks Metz for your awesome contribution.
Hi Nwosu,
Nice list of scan tools you mentioned!
I use wordfence which has scans for vulnerability… I also used Sucuri for quite often times
thanks for sharing!