Using nulled themes or plugins might seem like a good way to save money, but they often come with hidden dangers — most notably, malicious code. If your website is behaving strangely, redirecting users, or has been flagged by Google, there’s a high chance your site is infected. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix your site and protect it going forward.
Step 1: Identify the Infection
The first step is to confirm whether your website is actually infected. Common signs include:
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Unexpected redirects to suspicious sites
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Strange pop-ups or ads
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Admin panel access issues
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Slow site speed or increased server usage
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Blacklisting by Google or antivirus tools
Use security scanners like:
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Wordfence (for WordPress)
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Sucuri SiteCheck
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VirusTotal for uploaded files
Step 2: Back Up Your Website
Before doing anything major, back up your entire website — both files and database. Even if the site is infected, having a copy allows you to analyze and recover critical data if needed.
Step 3: Remove the Nulled Theme/Plugin
Delete any nulled or pirated themes/plugins immediately. They are the most likely source of infection.
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Go to your website’s file manager or use an FTP client (like FileZilla)
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Navigate to
/wp-content/themes/or/wp-content/plugins/ -
Delete suspicious or nulled folders
If you’re unsure, compare them with the official versions from the developer or WordPress.org.
Step 4: Clean the Infected Files
Malicious code is often hidden in:
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functions.php -
wp-config.php -
.htaccess -
Random files in
/wp-includes/or/wp-content/uploads/
Look for:
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Base64 encoded strings
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Obfuscated code (e.g. a long string of random letters/numbers)
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Unauthorized
eval(),exec(), orsystem()functions
Tips to clean:
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Use a security plugin like Wordfence or MalCare to scan and remove infected files
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Use SFTP to manually inspect and replace corrupted files with clean versions from a fresh WordPress install
Step 5: Change All Passwords
After cleaning the site, change all credentials:
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Admin passwords
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Database passwords
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FTP/SFTP credentials
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Hosting account password
This ensures the hacker can’t get back in.
Step 6: Reinstall WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
To be sure everything is clean:
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Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org
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Reinstall themes and plugins ONLY from official sources
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Avoid using any pirated or nulled software again
Step 7: Check and Clean the Database
Sometimes, malware injects malicious scripts into the database, especially in posts, options, or user tables.
Use tools like:
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phpMyAdmin to inspect suspicious content
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Plugins like WP-DBManager or WP-Sweep to clean the database
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Look for weird iframes, scripts, or strange content in post meta or options table
Step 8: Submit to Google for Review (if Blacklisted)
If your site was flagged by Google:
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Go to Google Search Console
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Under Security Issues, request a review after cleaning
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It may take 1–3 days to remove the warning
Step 9: Install a Firewall and Monitor Security
To prevent future infections:
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Install a security plugin like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security
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Enable real-time firewall and malware scanning
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Regularly monitor login attempts and file changes
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Set up automated backups (e.g. with UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy)
Final Advice: Never Use Nulled Software Again
Nulled themes and plugins are not just illegal — they’re a ticking time bomb for your website. Always:
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Buy from trusted developers
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Use free alternatives from official sources
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Consider investing in quality tools — it’s cheaper than recovering a hacked site
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