Why WordPress Is Not Secure and How to Fix It

How to secure WordPress

WordPress powers over 40% of websites worldwide, making it one of the most popular content management systems (CMS). While its popularity is well-deserved due to its flexibility, user-friendliness, and extensive plugin ecosystem, it also makes WordPress a prime target for hackers. However, WordPress isn’t inherently insecure—its vulnerabilities often stem from user mismanagement, outdated components, or poorly configured environments. The biggest probelm we constantly run into is WordPress website owners do not even know that their website is vulnerable. This post explores why WordPress can become insecure and the steps you can take to fix these issues.

Note: Always take a backup before making the changes outlined here.

Why WordPress Is Perceived as Insecure

1. Outdated Plugins and Themes

WordPress relies heavily on plugins and themes to expand its functionality and design. However, outdated or poorly coded plugins and themes can expose your site to vulnerabilities. Developers may stop maintaining their products, leaving them open to exploitation. Some plugins are inherently insecure (Wordfence publishes a regular list of newly discovered vulnerabilities in plugins and themes). Most websites have 5-10 plugins installed that extend the usefulness of WordPress. We have worked on websites with 60-70 plugins installed! Keeping these plugins updated is a regular chore.

2. Weak Passwords

Weak passwords for admin accounts or users with elevated privileges are a common entry point for attackers. A lack of strong password policies increases the likelihood of brute force attacks. Most customers on WordPress/WooCommerce websites will reuse passwords on multiple websites. Once a password is discovered, it is easy to use the same credentials on other websites. Google maintains a list of cracked/published login credentials and will check your passwords when using Chrome. Wordfence will also examine password security when it runs it’s scan.

3. Default Settings

WordPress comes with default settings that, if left unchanged, can leave a website exposed. For example:

  • Using the default admin username.
  • Not changing the WordPress database prefix (wp_), making it easier for attackers to target database tables.
  • Not hiding the default login pages.
  • Not requiring 2 Factor Authentication for administrator accounts.
  • Not blocking repeated login failures.
  • Not blocking known hacker attempts.
  • Not disabling xmlprc.

4. No HTTPS

Websites without an SSL certificate transmit data in plain text, making it easy for attackers to intercept sensitive information like login credentials or payment data.

5. Malware in Free Themes or Plugins

Downloading free themes or plugins from untrusted sources is risky. These may contain hidden malware or malicious code that compromises your site’s security. Some plugins and themes are known to be insecure. Also, the use of nulled plugins and themes is a sure way to allow hackers into your website.

6. Shared Hosting Vulnerabilities

Many WordPress sites are hosted on shared servers, where vulnerabilities in one site can potentially spread to others hosted on the same server.

7. Exploitable Core Vulnerabilities

Although WordPress core is regularly updated, outdated installations can be susceptible to exploits. Sites that don’t update their WordPress core are especially vulnerable to attacks.

Steps to Fix WordPress Security Issues

1. Keep WordPress Updated

  • Action: Always update to the latest version of WordPress core.
  • Why: Updates often patch security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates if possible.
  • How: Run a weekly update on your website. Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Also, check your web hosting server for updated versions of PHP. Make sure you take a backup before running available updates.

2. Use Secure Plugins and Themes

  • Action: Only download plugins and themes from the official WordPress repository or trusted developers.
  • Why: Trusted sources are less likely to distribute malicious code.
  • How: Research themes and plugins before installing and using them. Wordfence maintains a vulnerability database. Check the database before installing any theme or plugin.

3. Implement Strong Password Policies

  • Action: Use strong passwords that include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
  • Why: Strong passwords reduce the likelihood of brute force attacks.
  • How: Install the Wordfence plugin and enforce the use of strong passwords.

4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • Action: Use plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security to add 2FA to login pages.
  • Why: Adds an extra layer of security to your site’s login process.
  • How: Install the Wordfence plugin and enable 2 Factor Authentication for administrator accounts.

5. Secure Your Login Page

  • Action: Change the login URL from the default /wp-admin or /wp-login.php
  • Why: Makes it harder for attackers to locate your login page.
  • How: Use a plugin like WPS Hide Login to hide the login page. Don’t forget to record the new login page location.

6. Use HTTPS

  • Action: Install an SSL certificate, which is often free through hosting providers or services like Let’s Encrypt.
  • Why: Encrypts data transmission, protecting sensitive information.
  • How: Ask your web server hosting company to install a SSL certificate on your website. Most web hosting companies will use the free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate.

7. Harden WordPress Settings

  • Disable file editing: Add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to your wp-config.php file.
  • Change database table prefixes: Update the table prefix in the database and in the config file for WordPress. You may need help from your web hosting complany to do this.
  • Limit login attempts: Use Wordfence to block multiple failed login attempts.
  • Disable XML-RPC if not needed: Add the following line to your .htaccess file:apacheCopy code<Files xmlrpc.php> Order Deny,Allow Deny from all </Files>

8. Regularly Back Up Your Site

  • Action: Use backup plugins like All In One Migration to schedule automatic backups.
  • Why: Allows you to restore your site quickly in case of an attack.
  • How: Install the All In One Migration plugin and set it up to make regular backups of the website. As an added precaution, store your backups to a third-party backup location. We have had great success uploading backups to Dropbox and Google Drive. Make sure to try restoring a backup to the live website. it is too late when you try to restore a hacked website only to find that your backups do not work.

9. Install a Security Plugin

  • Action: Use a plugin like Wordfence to monitor and secure your site.
  • Why: These plugins can detect malware, block suspicious activity, and log events.
  • How: Install the Wordfence plugin on your website. Read through the plugin documentation for recommended settings.

10. Choose Secure Hosting

  • Action: Invest in a hosting provider that specializes in WordPress security.
  • Why: Secure hosting environments include features like daily backups, firewalls, and malware scanning.
  • How: We have worked on numerous web hosting companies in the past. We have found that some are harder to work with than others. Our company has tried six web hosting companies before finding a web hosting company that has great technical support. At Majaid Web Solutions, we use Dreamhost for our WordPress websites. Dreamhost is one of the four best web hosting companies for WordPress.

WordPress is not inherently insecure, but its popularity and flexibility make it a frequent target for hackers. By addressing common vulnerabilities and implementing proactive security measures, you can protect your WordPress site from potential threats. A combination of regular updates, strong user authentication, secure hosting, and proper configuration can ensure your WordPress site remains a robust and secure platform for your online presence.

Need help securing your WordPress site?

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