WordPress is extremely popular as a CMS, currently it powers over 40% of the internet and growing. But with great popularity comes great responsibility. Security vulnerabilities are a major concern for WordPress site owners, and if you’re not careful, your website could be an easy target for hackers, malware, and other cyber threats.
At Total WP Support Inc., we specialize in securing WordPress websites and ensuring they stay safe from attacks. In this article, we’ll explore 15 key WordPress security issues and how you can address them. And of course, if you need a WordPress support company, we’re always available.
1. Weak Passwords
One of the easiest ways hackers get access to your site is through weak and re-used passwords. Use strong, unique passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. WordPress can be set up to force strong passwords for administrators or for all users. Plugins like Wordfence provide further control and customization around password security.
2. Outdated WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
Running an outdated version of WordPress or outdated themes and plugins is one of the most common mistakes people make that leads to security loopholes. Regular software updates patch security vulnerabilities, so always keep everything up to date. Our website maintenance packages provide software updates on a set monthly schedule. At the same time, we continually monitor each site for plugins and themes that have known vulnerabilities and we update to new secure versions as soon as they are available. In this way, we are able to find a good balance between frequency of updates and staying on top of security threats for our customers.
3. Lack of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Adding an extra layer of security with 2FA ensures that even if someone gets your password, they still need a second verification step to access your site. It’s a simple and effective way to keep hackers out. There are various ways to set up 2fa on wordpress websites, we often use WordFence or another security plugin.
4. Unverified or Malicious Plugins and Themes
Not all plugins and themes are created equal. Some are poorly coded, while others contain hidden malware. Always download from reputable sources like the WordPress repository or trusted developers.
We regularly scan all our client sites for security loopholes in plugins and themes installed on their websites. If a security issue is found, we are notified and can take action. Generally, there is a new secure version available, but in cases where it was a dodgy plugin downloaded from the internet the best approach is removing that plugin and finding an official version, or a different plugin from the official wordpress repository that achieves the same functionality.
5. Poor Hosting Security
Your web host plays a significant role in your site’s security. Cheap, shared hosting can expose your site to vulnerabilities. In many cases we see a client site having repeating security issues and malware infections even though we have done the standard hardening of wordpress that usually does the trick. Sometimes it takes a lot of extra effort to get a website fully secure to withstand attacks on cheap hosting solutions.
At Total WP Support Inc., we recommend and help you set up secure hosting solutions that prioritize security. When it comes to security, it’s usually worth paying a little bit more for a quality hosting package.
6. No SSL Certificate
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your website and visitors, making it harder for hackers to intercept. Without SSL, your site is much more vulnerable. On top of that, not having an SSL certificate does affect your rankings in the search engines like Google. And, when a user opens a website not running SSL, a huge warning sign from google that site is not safe to visit is presented. This is a sure way to scare away your customers.
SSL is a standard feature these days on all websites we build and manage. Many hosting companies now provide free SSL certificates, along with providing simple one click installation and automatic renewals. There’s really no reason not to be running your site over the https protocol at this point.
7. Not Changing the Default Admin Username
Using “admin” as your login username makes it easier for hackers to guess. Change your default admin username to something unique to improve security is a quick and easy fix to this loophole. Plugins like WordFence help with this as well as giving options to automatically lock out users who try to log in using the Admin username.
8. No Regular Backups
If your website gets hacked or corrupted, having a backup can save you from disaster. We recommend regular automated backups stored securely offsite. At Total WP Support Inc., we provide hassle-free backup solutions on an hourly, daily or weekly schedule. The ability to revert to any back up easily and quickly is also a key feature in any solid security set up for a wordpress website.
9. SQL Injection Attacks
Hackers use SQL injections to manipulate your database and access sensitive data. Using security plugins such as Wordfence, following best practices for general wordpress hardening and regularly updating WordPress can help prevent these attacks.
10. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attacks
XSS attacks inject malicious scripts into your website, affecting users and stealing sensitive information. Our security plugins continuously scans your website for modified core files or malicious scripts and provides a simple interface for fixing issues as they arise.
11. File Permissions Issues
If your file permissions are too loose, hackers can modify critical files. Setting the correct file permissions (like 644 for files and 755 for folders) can help protect your site. This is part of our standard wordpress hardening checklist for all websites signed up to our maintenance plans at Total WP Support.
12. Hidden Malware and Backdoors
Malicious code can be hidden in plugins, themes, or even in your database. Regular malware scans and security monitoring (which we offer at Total WP Support Inc.) can help detect and remove threats.
13. Brute Force Attacks
Hackers use automated tools to guess passwords and break into your site. Limiting login attempts and using CAPTCHA can make brute force attacks much harder.
14. Unprotected wp-config.php File
Your wp-config.php file contains sensitive information, including database details. Restrict access by moving it to a non-web-accessible directory or setting proper permissions.
15. Lack of a WordPress Security Plugin
Security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, and iThemes Security provide extra layers of protection. We help our clients set up and configure the best security tools for their sites. Our favourite is wordfence and we are experts in configuring wordfence for any wordpress website.
Why Choose Total WP Support Inc. for WordPress Security?
Now that you know the major security threats, the question is—how do you fix them? This is where Total WP Support Inc. comes in.
Here’s why we’re the best choice for securing your WordPress website:
✅ Expert Security Audits: We analyze your site for vulnerabilities and provide a detailed report with fixes.
✅ Real-Time Monitoring & Protection: We keep an eye on your site 24/7 to detect and stop threats before they cause damage.
✅ Quick Fixes & Malware Removal: If your site is hacked, we clean it up and restore it ASAP.
✅ Customized Security Solutions: Every website is different. We tailor our security strategies to meet your specific needs.
✅ Affordable & Reliable Support: Whether you need one-time fixes or ongoing protection, our pricing is transparent and reasonable.
✅ Regular Updates & Maintenance: We ensure your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are always up to date and secure.
WordPress Security Issues Can Be A thing of the past
WordPress security isn’t something you can afford to ignore. Hackers and cyber threats are always evolving, but with the right precautions and expert help, you can keep your website safe.
Total WP Support Inc. is here to handle all your WordPress security concerns so you can focus on running your business without worry. Whether it’s malware removal, security hardening, a hacked website cleanup, or regular maintenance, we’ve got you covered.
Need help with WordPress security issues? Contact us today and let’s secure your site!