Title: [Plugin: Exploit Scanner] FYI &#8211; Pharma attack removes plugin
Last modified: August 19, 2016

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# [Plugin: Exploit Scanner] FYI – Pharma attack removes plugin

 *  [cadfile](https://wordpress.org/support/users/cadfile/)
 * (@cadfile)
 * [15 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-exploit-scanner-fyi-pharma-attack-removes-plugin/)
 * Here is a nifty thing. I am getting attacked on a regular basis with the Pharma
   hack and one thing it does is add their malware file AND removes the main exploit-
   scanner php file – deletes it.
 * I have WP-File Monitor active and caught it so I just delete the bad file and
   delete and reinstall the plugin manually.
 * Auto update refuses to reinstall it since the folder still exists.
 * The Pharma attacks are really ticking me off as I’ve followed all the various
   security tips and the hackers just injected a new file and removed another. *
   sigh*
 * [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exploit-scanner/](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exploit-scanner/)

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Jon Cave](https://wordpress.org/support/users/duck_/)
 * (@duck_)
 * [15 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-exploit-scanner-fyi-pharma-attack-removes-plugin/#post-2003288)
 * Ha! I’m not surprised and there’s not much that can be done by the plugin, but
   thanks for the information.
 * To do a full clean up I would advise you to wipe all the files from the system
   and do a full reinstall (backup all database and files first in case something
   goes wrong). Also, ensure that you change **all** of the passwords associated
   with WordPress and the hosting account (e.g. MySQL, FTP, cPanel, etc.) — to be
   extra paranoid I would change passwords before deleting everything and reinstalling
   and then again afterwards. If it’s still able to come back then you should talk
   to your host as it’s probably lax security configuration on their part rather
   than a hidden backdoor script or compromised password.

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

The topic ‘[Plugin: Exploit Scanner] FYI – Pharma attack removes plugin’ is closed
to new replies.

 * ![](https://s.w.org/plugins/geopattern-icon/exploit-scanner.svg)
 * [Exploit Scanner](https://wordpress.org/plugins/exploit-scanner/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/exploit-scanner/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/exploit-scanner/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/exploit-scanner/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/exploit-scanner/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/exploit-scanner/reviews/)

 * 1 reply
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Jon Cave](https://wordpress.org/support/users/duck_/)
 * Last activity: [15 years, 2 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-exploit-scanner-fyi-pharma-attack-removes-plugin/#post-2003288)
 * Status: not resolved