socialmediami.it — Deep Malware Scan & Backdoor Removal

The problem

The client wanted a security health check on their WordPress site. What looked like a routine scan turned up something more serious: six fake plugin folders hidden inside wp-content/plugins/, planted by an attacker to keep backdoor access. Two were disguised as copies of a legitimate "preferred-languages" plugin; four more were bare, single-file fakes — including one that closely imitated the popular "LiteSpeed Cache" plugin's name to slip past a quick review.

What we did

• Audited the full WordPress database export — options, posts, users and cron — for injected code, spam links, unauthorized accounts and tampered settings.
• Cross-referenced a suspicious pattern in the plugin inventory, then pulled the full site files to investigate directly.
• Located and forensically confirmed six fake plugin directories, diffing their contents against the genuine plugin source to prove which files were foreign.
• Identified the neutralized malware payloads and pinpointed the exact minute a prior cleanup pass had already stripped them (4 July 2026, 15:04).
• Swept the rest of the site — uploads, must-use plugins, .htaccess and wp-config.php — for any additional signs of compromise.
• Delivered a full findings report with a prioritized remediation plan: delete the leftover folders, rotate credentials, and investigate the entry point.

The result

The malware was confirmed and fully accounted for — with clear evidence of exactly what was planted, when, and how it had already been neutralized. Instead of a vague "something looks off," the client walked away with a precise cleanup checklist. The rest of the site was verified clean, giving them confidence in what still needed attention versus what was already secure.