How To Deal With Common WordPress Security Threats On The Website

Introduction

Security is the most vital aspect every single website needs. And the discussion goes on without stopping when it comes to securing a website.

Especially when you are working with WordPress, security must be the top priority. It is the most talked-about CMS in the digital world, and eventually, the chances are high to get threats. You can read our blog on 10 Simple Steps To Improve Your WordPress Security for more information.

Website threats are not just threats or a stage that is passed; they impact the overall image of the website. From functionality to search engine rankings, trust is also highly impacted. To stop this, we have made a list of common WordPress security threats along with solutions to help you.

Some of the most common WordPress security threats

1. Outdated core software

The most common threat occurs when you haven’t updated WordPress’s core software. The core is the heart of your WordPress website, and it should be updated well to ensure your website’s performance.

While WordPress developers keep releasing new core updates, ensuring better functionality. The prime motive for releasing frequent updates is security, bug fixes, and website improvement. It is highly suggested that users keep their website’s core software well-updated.

It is observed that websites with outdated core software are prone to hackers and security breaches. The only way to get this solved is to keep your WordPress software updated with the latest releases.

2. Outdated themes and plugins

Outdated software is a major concern for the security and functionality of your website. Along with this, outdated themes and plugins are also counted as security risks. Themes and plugins are the two most vital elements for minimalist web design.

When these are not updated with the latest versions, the website faces WordPress security threats.

Similar to the core updates, developers release themes and plugin updates as well. Website owners must ensure that the themes and plugins are well-updated with the latest releases. Otherwise, your website does not match the user's expectations and needs. Also, the themes and plugins are highly responsible for effective appearance and functionality. If it is not well updated, hackers will find their way to your website.

3. Malware

Malware is the most common but frightening threat your website might face if not looked at properly. This comes in a software module that usually hackers use to enter your website to steal your website data or damage it. This can be a great threat to your website, as it can harm your sensitive data as well. In short, malware threats are themselves home to many issues for your website.

The best way to keep you away from this is to take preventive measures. You must keep scanning your website for malware threats. It can be present on any part of your website, including the files, folders, or database. The better way is to use the Wordfence plugin, which helps in finding WordPress Security Threats easily.

4. Weak Passwords

It is a fact that every user keeps a simple password to remember easily at times. But let me tell you that simple or weak passwords can harm your website severely. Weak passwords are almost easy to guess, or hackers can use this trick to brute force your website. This technique is used by hackers, who keep trying the password until the right one is found.

This is why the latest websites allow limited user logins or suggest creating complex passwords. This helps keep your website safe from security breaches.

5. DDoS Attacks

A DDoS attack is something that harms access to the admin and the users of the website. What hackers mostly do is send huge traffic to a server that eventually crashes. This blocks all the websites hosted on it and also shifts the access of the real admin. This can be fixed in some time, but the earned trust is not the same as before.

This threat comes from various devices that collect traffic on a single server. This is why the name is given to distributed denial-of-service attacks.

The only way to get this done right is to choose a professional and trusted hosting service for web design.

6. Cross-Site Scripting

Another threat that can harm your website is cross-site scripting. This one is quite similar to the database injection threat. What hackers mostly do is insert malicious codes into the backend side of the website. Their motive is to attack the web page functionality and the codes that run the website files. By reaching the web pages, they can easily access the visitor’s data.

Now, what to do in such horrible situations must be your question. The only way to keep this away from your website is to regularly update the core, themes, and plugins. A firewall is another safe method to avoid such WordPress Security Threats on your website.

7. Undefined User-Roles

Then comes another WordPress security threat that often harms the admin role of the website. What happens is a website holds six various user roles. That includes the admin, subscriber, and more. And the maximum control comes under the admin role.

Sometimes, the admin fails to set the default role on the website, and everyone acts like the admin. Eventually, hackers even get the opportunity to enter the website and access the sensitive data. Also, this results in brute force attacks and many other WordPress Security Threats on the website.

The only way to make your admin role safe on the website is to check the website permissions. Also, to protect the admin part, you can set two-factor authentication and other security measures.

8. SQL Injections

SQL is a programming language to interact with the database of your website. Websites mostly function well using the SQL language.

This highly organized language is also used to access website data and database management. Meanwhile, some hackers might gain access to your website. They can eventually modify your website’s database along with your entire site. This way, all your website data can be modified by them, including links, content, and more.

To get this right, make sure that you have put restrictions or permissions on the form submissions. Also, you can use Google ReCAPTCHA for WordPress to ensure additional security.

9. SEO Spam

The most valued aspect of a website is also not secured well. We are talking about the SEO WordPress security threat caused by your website. This threat is quite similar to the SQL injection that targets the top-ranking pages of your website.

What hackers mostly do in this case is target your top-ranking pages and make them malicious. Eventually, they add spam keywords, unauthorized ads, or popups to lower the ranks.

Don’t ever think that this is a normal threat. It can harm your entire website and your digital reputation. Sometimes, it becomes harder to recognize, and that is more dangerous.

The only way to protect your website from this is to use tools that protect your website in all its forms.

10. Phishing

Phishing is a modern type of WordPress security threat that more often comes across your website. What happens in this is that hackers send a bundle of spammy links to your website to get clicked once by any user. Once it is clicked by any one of the users, it can harm their data. This is the most common type of threat that is done by sending fake or spammy emails or links. It mostly happens when you are using outdated content, core software, or themes on your website. If it occurs on your website, the trust that you have gained from users drops off.

To avoid this, you must keep scanning your website for spammy content. Running security scans or keeping complex passwords is another solution for this.

11. Supply chain attacks

Now there is another WordPress security threat that can easily harm your website’s backend interface. Supply chain attacks mostly attack the themes and plugins, which are vital features.

Hackers eventually get a popular plugin to inject codes, causing threats on your website. Or it may happen that the plugin owner has installed malware on the client site. This threat has a direct impact on the backend functionality of your website.

But you don’t have to worry, as such threats have less life and users can easily recognize them. The only way to keep this away is to use trusted plugins or, when found, immediately uninstall them.

Conclusion

So, now you know what types of WordPress security threats may happen on your website. This will help you make the website stronger and ready for the upcoming challenges.

We have made a full list of common WordPress security threats that could help you. Also, there are the most useful solutions to such threats to help your way. Keeping your website threat-free is the ultimate motive, but unfortunately, it is impossible. What users can do is take preventive measures to keep their websites safe.

Additionally, consider adding premium WordPress themes to your site to enhance both its security and visual appeal. High-quality premium themes often come with built-in security features and regular updates, making them a valuable investment for safeguarding your website.