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No—Bluehost Malware Protection should not be treated as the only website security solution you need. It can add malware monitoring and, depending on the plan, blocking and cleanup. But Bluehost documents other security layers separately, and its cleanup service has eligibility limits. Features and prices below reflect Bluehost’s pages reviewed on October 4, 2026; they are vendor descriptions, not independent efficacy test results.
Do I need to host my site with Bluehost to use Malware Protection?
Yes. Bluehost says your domain or website must be hosted with Bluehost to activate and use the service. Its official FAQ states this requirement directly.
What Bluehost Malware Protection includes
Bluehost describes three tiers: Malware Scan & Clean, AI Malware Defense, and Bluehost Complete Security. Its overview lists malware detection, continuous scanning, Google blacklist monitoring, automatic removal, a security seal, malicious-process killing, dashboard reporting, and round-the-clock support across the tiers. These are Bluehost’s stated features, not independently verified performance claims. See Bluehost’s plan overview.
Malware Scan & Clean
This is the basic monitoring and cleanup tier. Bluehost says it is included with Starter Hosting. It does not include all of the blocking and remediation features described for higher tiers.
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- Webroot PASSWORD MANAGER by Last Pass creates, encrypts, and saves all your passwords, so you only have to remember one.
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- Webroot SOFTWARE UPDATES ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY, so you always have the most current protection without lifting a finger—and updates happen in the background so they won’t slow you down.
- PREMIUM FEATURES: Encrypts & protects passwords and account information for all your devices so you can stay protected wherever you are.
AI Malware Defense
Bluehost attributes ThreatShield Smart WAF, AI-powered cloud file scanning, injection-attack remediation, brute-force login protection, and WordPress database protections to the higher tiers. Its overview marks comprehensive database scanning as “Coming Soon” for AI Malware Defense, so do not assume that feature is currently available there.
Bluehost Complete Security
This tier adds human expert cleanup for qualifying WordPress sites. Bluehost’s FAQ says it starts at $5.99 per month, while the plan overview shows $5.99 per month for a 12-month term and $19.99 per month as the renewal price. These are Bluehost’s published figures, not a guaranteed quote; check your account’s offer, term, and renewal amount before purchase.
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- POWERFUL, LIGHTNING-FAST ANTIVIRUS: Protects your computer from viruses and malware through the cloud; Webroot scans faster, uses fewer system resources and safeguards your devices in real-time by identifying and blocking new threats
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- ALWAYS UP TO DATE: Webroot scours 95% of the internet three times per day including billions of web pages, files and apps to determine what is safe online and enhances the software automatically without time-consuming updates
- SUPPORTS ALL DEVICES: Compatible with PC, MAC, Chromebook, Mobile Smartphones and Tablets including Windows, macOS, Apple iOS and Android
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How the plans differ
| Decision | What Bluehost says |
|---|---|
| Hosting eligibility | Bluehost hosting is required to activate and use Malware Protection. (Bluehost, FAQ) |
| Basic monitoring and cleanup | Malware Scan & Clean is described as a scanning and cleanup tier; the overview lists core monitoring and cleanup features across tiers. (Bluehost, overview) |
| Additional blocking and attack remediation | WAF, AI cloud scanning, injection remediation, brute-force controls, and WordPress database protections are attributed to AI Malware Defense and Complete Security, with database features varying by tier. (Bluehost, overview) |
| Human cleanup | Complete Security is the qualifying tier. Manual cleanup on other plans may incur an additional charge, and full restoration may cost extra; eligibility and scope are limited. (Bluehost, manual-intervention details) |
| Published price | Bluehost lists $5.99 per month as a 12-month amount and $19.99 per month as the Complete Security renewal price; terms can change. (Bluehost, overview) |
| Other security layers | Bluehost’s hosting materials list protections such as WAF, DDoS controls, and backups; SSL and backup tools are also presented separately. (Bluehost, WordPress hosting, hosting comparison, SSL help, backup help) |
What human malware cleanup covers—and excludes
Bluehost’s manual-intervention service is narrower than a promise to restore any compromised website. The site must be online and reachable, its DNS must resolve to Bluehost, it must run WordPress, and the account must have Complete Security. Bluehost lists human file cleanup, WordPress core integrity repair, database scanning and removal, malicious account identification and removal, and identification and removal of malicious plugins or themes within scope. Details are in its manual intervention article.
Bluehost excludes plugin and theme upgrades, non-WordPress or custom software, configuring two-factor authentication or CAPTCHA, Google or other blacklist delisting, and deleting spam posts created by compromised users. It also cautions that full restoration can cost extra. Malware removal therefore does not necessarily mean every cleanup, upgrade, delisting, or recovery task is included.
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- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Check the hosting product family before relying on a feature matrix
Bluehost’s WordPress hosting comparison lists free malware scanning across the plans shown, but says malware detection and removal are unavailable on its entry Pro plan and listed for Premium and Enhanced. That comparison also includes WAF, DDoS protection, and weekly backups. A separate table on Bluehost’s pricing page lists four higher named plans and malware detection and removal across all four. Those tables appear to cover different product groups; do not apply one matrix to every Bluehost hosting product. Confirm the features attached to the specific plan shown at checkout.
SiteLock is no longer available through Bluehost
In a notice updated September 29, 2026, Bluehost said SiteLock Security “is no longer available as a service” and that existing plans will not auto-renew at their next renewal date. If you already subscribe, check your billing date and arrange replacement coverage before then if you need it. Bluehost points customers toward newer hosting plans or another third-party security service. See the SiteLock transition notice.
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- KEEP YOUR COMPUTER RUNNING FAST with our system optimizer. By removing unnecessary files, it works like a PC tune-up, so you can keep working smoothly.
- Our PASSWORD MANAGER by Last Pass creates, encrypts, and saves all your passwords, so you only have to remember one.
- As the #1 TRUSTED PROVIDER OF THREAT INTELLIGENCE, Webroot protection is quick and easy to download, install, and run, so you don’t have to wait around to be fully protected.
- STAY PROTECTED EVERYWHERE you go, at home, in a café, at the airport—everywhere—on ALL YOUR DEVICES with cloud-based protection against viruses and other online threats.
What to do alongside Bluehost’s malware service
Malware monitoring is one part of site security, not a substitute for the owner’s other safeguards. Choose a plan based on the protections it actually includes, and make a recovery plan that does not depend on a cleanup service covering every task.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 3 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
- Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated; Bluehost’s manual cleanup scope excludes upgrading plugins and themes.
- Use strong, unique credentials and enable two-factor authentication where available. Bluehost’s listed human cleanup scope does not include configuring 2FA or CAPTCHA.
- Maintain backups and know how to restore them. Bluehost presents backups as a separate security tool, and cleanup may not include full restoration.
- Review the current plan terms, included features, eligibility, and renewal price in your Bluehost account before relying on them.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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