WordPress is a popular website content creator and platform. Still, it takes work to make it secure, partly by keeping it updated and applying security tools like Wordfence. If properly maintained, it can avoid becoming vulnerable to various threats. Here’s a list of dangers associated with outdated WordPress sites and WordPress security best practices to remediate them.
Dangers of Outdated WordPress Sites:
- Vulnerabilities in Core Software:
- Outdated WordPress core files may contain known vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
- Plugin & Theme Vulnerabilities:
- Older plugins and themes can have unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Malware Infections:
- Outdated sites can be more easily compromised, leading to malware infections that can deface your site, steal data, or distribute malware to visitors.
- DDoS Attacks:
- Vulnerabilities can be exploited to turn your site into a bot in a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack.
- SEO Spam:
- Hackers can inject spammy content or links, harming your SEO ranking.
- Data Theft:
- Personal data, user information, and other sensitive data can be accessed and stolen.
- Phishing:
- Your site can be used to host phishing pages without your knowledge.
- Loss of Reputation:
- If users or customers discover your site is compromised, it can severely damage your brand’s reputation.
- Financial Costs:
- Cleaning a hacked website can be expensive, especially if you have to hire experts.
- Data Loss:
- Critical data can be deleted or held for ransom.
Strategies to Keep WordPress Sites Safe:
- Regular Updates:
- Always update the WordPress core, plugins, and themes to the latest versions. This is a key WordPress security best practice.
- Use Trusted Plugins and Themes:
- Only install plugins and themes from reputable sources. Check reviews, update frequency, and remove the ones that are end-of-life or no longer supported by the developer or publisher.
- Implement Strong Authentication:
- Use strong, unique passwords and always enable MFA (multi-factor authentication or 2FA (two-factor authentication) for additional security.
- Daily Backups:
- Use plugins or services that provide daily backups of your site. Ensure backups are stored off-site and are easily restorable.
- Security Plugins:
- For additional protection, utilize security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri Security, or iThemes Security, preferably the pro version that applies malware signatures and updates immediately versus once a month (i.e., Wordfence). This is a critical WordPress security best practice.
- Limit User Access:
- Assign appropriate roles and permissions. Not everyone needs administrative access.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF):
- Use a cloud-based WAF like Cloudflare or Sucuri to filter malicious traffic.
- Secure Hosting:
- Choose a reputable web host that emphasizes security and provides isolated site environments.
- SSL Encryption:
- Implement an SSL certificate to encrypt data between the server and browser.
- Regular Security Audits:
- Conduct periodic security scans and assessments.
- Disable Directory Listing:
- Prevent hackers from viewing the contents of directories.
- Implement Logging:
- Keep an audit log of site activity to monitor suspicious behavior.
- Disable XML-RPC:
- If not needed, disable XML-RPC to prevent DDoS attacks and unauthorized access.
- Implement CAPTCHAs:
- Use CAPTCHAs to prevent bots from submitting forms or accessing login pages.
- Stay Informed:
- Join WordPress forums, communities, or news portals to stay updated on the latest threats and security practices.
By adhering to these WordPress security best practices and maintaining a proactive approach to web and application security, you can significantly reduce the risk of your WordPress site being compromised.
You may also be interested in how to tell if you’re computer has been compromised and how to recover from a social media scam. Learn more about Wordfence for WordPress Security.
