The cPanel Virus Scanner helps you find and remove malware, viruses, and other security threats from your hosting account. Using ClamAV antivirus technology, you can scan your email, website files, FTP folders, and entire home directory to keep your website secure and protected from malicious software.
What Is the cPanel Virus Scanner?
The Virus Scanner is a built-in security tool in cPanel that uses ClamAV antivirus engine to detect malware, viruses, trojans, and other threats in your hosting account. It scans different areas of your account including email folders, web files, FTP directories, and your entire home directory to identify infected files.
When the scanner finds a security threat, it alerts you and provides options to take action. This helps protect your website visitors, prevents your site from spreading malware, and keeps your hosting account secure.
Requirements for Using Virus Scanner
For the Virus Scanner to appear in your cPanel, your hosting provider must have certain services installed and enabled. At OBHost, these requirements are already configured for your convenience.
The following services must be active:
- ClamAV Scanner plugin enabled in cPanel
- Exim Mail Server running on the server
If you don't see the Virus Scanner option in your cPanel, contact OBHost support at support@obhost.org for assistance.
How to Scan Your Hosting Account for Viruses
Running a virus scan is straightforward and takes just a few clicks. Follow these steps to scan your account:
Step 1: Choose What to Scan
Select one of the following scan options based on what you want to check:
- Scan Mail - Scans all email folders and messages in your account. Use this if you suspect infected email attachments or spam.
- Scan Entire Home Directory - Scans everything in your hosting account including hidden files, configuration files, and all directories.
- Scan Public FTP Space - Scans only folders accessible through FTP. Good for checking uploaded files.
- Scan Public Web Space - Scans your website's public folders (usually public_html). Best for checking website files and scripts.
Step 2: Start the Scan
Click the Scan Now button to begin scanning. A progress screen will appear showing:
- File - Number of files scanned and total files to check
- Data - Amount of data scanned and total data size
- Scanner Progress - Visual progress bar showing completion percentage
- Infected Files - List of any threats detected during the scan
The scan may take several minutes depending on how many files you have. Larger accounts with thousands of files will take longer than smaller websites.
Step 3: Review Scan Results
After the scan completes, review any infected files found. The scanner will show you the file path and type of threat detected. You can then decide whether to delete the infected files, quarantine them, or investigate further.
What to Do If Viruses Are Found
If the scanner detects infected files, take immediate action to protect your website:
- Delete obviously malicious files you don't recognize
- Back up important files before removing them
- Change your cPanel password and FTP passwords
- Update all website software, plugins, and themes
- Check your website for suspicious code or unauthorized changes
If you're unsure about handling detected threats, contact your hosting provider for guidance before deleting important files.
Best Practices for Website Security
Regular virus scanning is just one part of keeping your website secure. Follow these practices to maintain strong security:
- Run virus scans weekly or after uploading new files
- Keep all website software updated to the latest versions
- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
- Only install themes and plugins from trusted sources
- Remove unused files, plugins, and old website versions
- Monitor your website for unusual activity or performance issues
- Keep regular backups of your website and databases
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a virus scan take in cPanel?
Scan time varies based on the number of files in your account. A small website with a few hundred files may complete in 2-3 minutes, while larger accounts with thousands of files can take 15-30 minutes or longer. The scan shows real-time progress so you can monitor how much time remains.
Will running a virus scan slow down my website?
The virus scanner uses server resources, so you may notice slightly slower performance during the scan. However, the impact is minimal for most websites. It's best to run scans during low-traffic periods if you're concerned about performance.
What should I do if the Virus Scanner isn't available in my cPanel?
If you don't see the Virus Scanner option, the required services may not be enabled on your hosting account. Contact OBHost support at support@obhost.org and request that ClamAV be enabled for your account.
Can the virus scanner remove infected files automatically?
The cPanel Virus Scanner identifies threats but requires you to manually take action on infected files. This prevents accidental deletion of important files. You maintain full control over which files to remove or keep after reviewing the scan results.
Need help with virus scanning or website security? OBHost's support team is available 24/7 to assist you. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for expert guidance on keeping your hosting account secure.
