How Quarantine Works What This Covers This guide explains how the Steel Security quarantine system works and how it helps safely isolate potentially risky files. Quarantine provides a controlled way to remove files from active use without permanently deleting them. What Quarantine Does Quarantine moves a file out of its original location into a secure, non-public storage area. This means: the file is no longer accessible via the web it cannot be executed or loaded by WordPress it is preserved for review or restoration This allows you to safely handle suspicious or unnecessary files. When Quarantine Is Used Quarantine is typically used when: a scan identifies a potentially sensitive or risky file you want to remove a file without deleting it permanently you are unsure whether a file is safe to remove It provides a safe alternative to immediate deletion. How the Process Works When a file is quarantined: The file is moved from its original location It is stored in a protected directory within your site Access to the file is restricted A record is kept to allow restoration The original file path is preserved for reference. What Happens After Quarantine After a file is quarantined: it will no longer appear in scans as an exposed file any functionality depending on that file may change the file remains available for restoration You should verify your site after quarantining any file. Safety Considerations Quarantine is designed to be safe, but you should still: understand what the file does before quarantining avoid quarantining core or required files test your site after making changes When in doubt, proceed cautiously. Where Quarantined Files Are Stored Quarantined files are stored in a protected location within your WordPress environment. This location: is not publicly accessible prevents direct execution of files is managed by Steel Security This ensures quarantined files cannot pose a risk while stored. Quarantine vs Deletion Quarantine is not the same as deletion. Quarantine Deletion Reversible Permanent Safe for testing No recovery Preserves file Removes file entirely Quarantine is recommended when you are unsure about a file. Limitations Quarantine does not analyze file contents for malware Some files may be required for site functionality Manual review may still be necessary Steel Security focuses on safe handling, not automatic classification. Common Questions Will quarantining a file break my site? It can, if the file is required. Always test your site after quarantining any file. Can I view quarantined files? Yes, files remain stored and can be restored if needed. Are quarantined files secure? Yes. They are stored in a protected location and are not accessible via the web. Tips Use quarantine when you are unsure about a file Avoid deleting files immediately Always test after quarantining Review findings before taking action What to Do Next After quarantining a file: Test your site functionality Confirm no issues are introduced Decide whether to keep the file quarantined or restore it Related Restoring Quarantined Files Working with Scan Findings Safe Rollback Practices