Top WordPress security vulnerabilities that one must know and address.

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering millions of websites globally. While it is a powerful and user-friendly platform, it is not immune to security vulnerabilities. In this blog, we will discuss some of the top WordPress security vulnerabilities that every website owner should be aware of and take steps to address.

One of the most common WordPress security vulnerabilities is outdated software. Like any other software, WordPress, which is open source, and its plugins and themes need to be regularly updated to fix security holes, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. However, many WordPress users neglect to update their software, leaving their websites open to attack. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to the website, steal sensitive data, or even take control of the site.

Another major WordPress security vulnerability is weak passwords. Many WordPress users use simple, easily guessable passwords, such as “123456” or “password,” which can be easily hacked by brute-force attacks. It is essential to use strong, unique passwords for every user account on your WordPress website, and to regularly update them. Through well crafted cyber security awareness programs, password hygiene can be taught to employees, including website administrators.

Third-party plugins and themes are another potential source of security vulnerabilities in WordPress. While plugins and themes can add valuable functionality to your website, they can also introduce vulnerabilities if they are not properly maintained. It is important to only use trusted plugins and themes from reputable sources, and to regularly update them to ensure they are secure.

Another WordPress security vulnerability is inadequate hosting. WordPress websites need to be hosted on a secure server in order to protect against attacks. Many WordPress users, however, opt for cheap, shared hosting plans that offer limited security. This can leave their websites vulnerable to attacks from other websites on the same server. It is important to choose a reputable, secure hosting provider for your WordPress website. Hosting options need to be carefully analysed by the CISO and the technology team to ensure a robust and secure environment is opted for.

Finally, WordPress security vulnerabilities can also result from user error. Many WordPress users do not have adequate knowledge of web security, and may inadvertently expose their website to attack by failing to follow best practices, such as using strong passwords and regularly updating their software. It is important for WordPress users to educate themselves about web security and to take steps to protect their website.

In conclusion, there are several top WordPress security vulnerabilities that every website owner should be aware of and take steps to address. These include outdated software, weak passwords, third-party plugins and themes (which are not updated!), inadequate hosting, and user error.

By taking the following steps, you can help protect your WordPress website from potential attacks.

• Update WordPress Core
• Update Theme, Plugins
• Opt for a secure cloud based hosting service
• Secure login procedures
• Update the latest version of PHP
• Install security plugins such as SUCURI
• Utilise SSL/HTTPS.

5 Most Common WordPress vulnerabilities

Following are the top ten most common WordPress vulnerabilities:

• Outdated Plugins
• No SSL Certificates (HTTP instead of HTTPS)
• Low Quality web hosting
• Outdated Themes
• Old PHP versions

The below are the most common attack types:

• SQL injection
• Brute Force Attack
• Malware
• Cross-Site Scripting
• DDoS attack (distributed denial-of-service)

Engage us to pen test your website/s today!