Malware (malicious software)

Malware is the general name for any malicious software. On websites it most often takes the form of hidden code injected into files or the database, which works quietly, redirecting visitors to foreign sites, showing spam, stealing data or sending messages from your server.

An infection usually gets in through an outdated plugin, a weak password or a pirated add-on. What makes it dangerous is that it runs in the background: the site looks normal on the surface, while Google and browsers start flagging it as unsafe, which cuts off traffic and customer trust.