If you’re like many small-business owners, you rely heavily on technology. Between using computers for bookkeeping and invoicing, and staying connected with customers through social media, losing access to your technology can be a major setback.
That’s why it’s critical to know how to protect your business website from malware disruptions and how to remove any infection quickly should one occur. This article will provide an overview of malware removal basics and some helpful resources.
How Can I Tell if My Website is Infected with Malware?
It’s easy to mistake malware for common technical glitches. So, how do you know if your website has been infected with malware? Here are a few tell-tale signs you may have malware on your website:
- Your website is loading slowly when you try to access it.
- You’re receiving more error messages than usual.
- Your website is displaying strange or unwanted advertisements.
- You’re being redirected to other websites when visiting your own.
- People are reporting they’re getting viruses from your website.
It’s important to note that any of these signs on their own do not constitute a malware threat. However, if you get two or more together, you should scan your systems for malware. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to act right away. The longer you wait, the more damage the malware can do. Damages include the reputation of your business, loss of valuable data, identity theft, as well as ransomware.
How Can I Remove Malware from My Website?
The first step is to identify which type of malware you’re dealing with, which will help determine the removal process. Different types of malware include viruses, trojans, bots, and spyware. Once you know what you’re dealing with, there are a few different removal options:
1. Use a Malware Removal Tool
A malware removal tool is a program designed to scan for malware removal from your computer or website. Malware removal tools check your computer or website for malicious code and then remove it. This can be done automatically, depending on the tool.
When selecting a website malware removal solution, find one that’s reputable and up to date with the latest data on malware attacks. This will help ensure it doesn’t miss if the attacker is using newer malware. If the tool is not up to date, it might not be able to recognize the attacking element as malware, even if it notes that it’s an unusual element in your systems.
2. Remove Malware Manually
If you’re comfortable with code, you may be able to remove the malware yourself. Taking this route can be difficult and time-consuming, but it can be done. Even better, your familiarity with your systems may allow you to catch other issues that an outside IT expert wouldn’t notice.
3. Restore Your Website from a Backup
If you have a recent website backup, you can restore it and overwrite any infected files. This is similar to taking your website to a time when it wasn’t infected. You can then continue to use it from there.
Safeguarding Your Business with Malware Removal Tools
Dealing with malware can be a stressful and time-consuming process, albeit almost unavoidable when you operate some parts of your business digitally. But by taking some preventive measures and with proper knowledge of what to do if your website becomes infected, you can minimize any impact and get back to business as usual. Malware removal tools provide an easy and effective way to scour your systems for signs of malware and remove them efficiently. So, invest in one today!