Web & Hosting · Malware Cleanup

Malware scanning and cleanup for Adelaide websites

If your website has been flagged by Google, is redirecting visitors to dodgy sites or is behaving strangely, there's a good chance it's been compromised. We clean up infected Adelaide business websites, remove every trace of malware and then harden the site so it doesn't happen again. The sooner you act, the less damage is done.

What is malware scanning and cleanup?

Malware scanning checks your website files, database and server for malicious code — things like hidden backdoors, redirect scripts, spam injections and cryptocurrency miners that attackers plant on compromised sites. Cleanup is the process of removing all of it, restoring clean files and patching the vulnerability that let the attacker in. It's not just about deleting the obvious infection — it's about finding every hidden piece and closing the door behind them.

What we do

Full site scan

Every file, database table and server configuration checked for malicious code, backdoors, injected scripts and anything that shouldn't be there.

Malware removal

All malicious code cleaned out — file by file — including obfuscated scripts that automated scanners often miss.

Backdoor removal

Hidden access points that attackers leave behind found and removed so they can't just walk back in after you clean the obvious stuff.

Google blacklist removal

If your site has been flagged with a 'This site may be hacked' warning, we submit a review request to Google once the cleanup is complete.

Vulnerability patching

The security hole that let the attacker in identified and patched — whether it was an outdated plugin, weak password or misconfigured server.

Ongoing scanning

Regular automated scans set up to catch any future infections early, before they cause damage or trigger Google warnings.

Who it's for

Businesses whose website has been hacked, defaced or is showing suspicious behaviour.
Sites flagged by Google with a security warning that's scaring away visitors and killing search rankings.
Companies that have cleaned up an infection before but it keeps coming back.
Any Adelaide business that wants regular scanning to catch problems before they become disasters.

How it works

Emergency assessment. We examine your site to confirm the infection, identify the type of malware and assess how much damage has been done.
Quarantine and backup. The infected site backed up for reference, and if necessary, taken offline temporarily to stop the malware from spreading or harming visitors.
Deep clean. Every malicious file, injected script and database entry removed manually — not just what the scanner finds, but a thorough manual review.
Patch and harden. The vulnerability that allowed the infection patched, software updated, passwords changed and file permissions tightened to prevent reinfection.
Verify and monitor. Clean site tested, Google review request submitted if needed, and ongoing scanning set up to catch any future issues early.

Why WaTo for malware cleanup

We do manual cleanup — not just run an automated scanner and hope for the best. Backdoors and obfuscated code need human eyes.
We find how the attacker got in and fix it, not just clean up the mess and leave the door open.
Local Adelaide support since 2001 — when your site is hacked, you need someone who responds fast, not a ticket queue.
We set up ongoing scanning so future infections are caught early, not months later when Google flags your site.
We manage your hosting and security together — one team that can access everything needed to clean up and lock down your site.

Malware cleanup questions

How did my website get hacked?

Most website infections come from outdated software — an old WordPress version, a plugin with a known vulnerability, or a weak admin password. Attackers use automated tools to scan thousands of sites for these weaknesses, so it's usually not personal. We'll identify the specific entry point during cleanup.

How long does cleanup take?

Most cleanups are completed within 24 hours. Complex infections with multiple backdoors or database-level compromises may take longer. If your site is actively harming visitors, we'll take it offline temporarily while we work.

Will I lose any data?

We aim to preserve all your legitimate content and data. In rare cases where malicious code is deeply embedded in the database, some manual reconstruction may be needed, but we always work from backups to minimise any loss.

How do I stop it happening again?

Keep everything updated, use strong passwords and enable regular scanning. We set all of this up as part of the cleanup process and can provide ongoing maintenance to keep your site protected long-term.