Why should I keep my WordPress website Secure?

Let’s take look at your WordPress website from the point of view of someone trying to access it without your permission, eg: a hacker. This can help us to explain the importance of keeping your WordPress website secure and up to date. 

There are five common ways hackers might attempt to gain unauthorised access to a WordPress website:

Brute Force Attacks

Hackers use automated tools to systematically guess usernames and passwords until they find the correct combination. This is why it's crucial to have strong, complex passwords and limit login attempts.

Vulnerability Exploitation

Hackers may exploit known vulnerabilities in WordPress core, themes, or plugins. Keeping your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date is vital to protect against these types of attacks.

Phishing Attacks

Hackers can trick website administrators into revealing login credentials by sending convincing but fake emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources. Always be cautious of unsolicited requests for login information.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

This involves injecting malicious scripts into web pages that are then viewed by other users. These scripts can steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information. Ensuring proper input validation and output escaping in your website's code helps mitigate this risk.

Credential Theft

Hackers can target website administrators or users through methods such as keyloggers, malware, or by intercepting unencrypted data transmissions. Using secure connections (HTTPS) and regularly scanning your devices for malware can help prevent this.

To safeguard your WordPress website:

• Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all user accounts.
• Implement a firewall and security plugins.
• Limit user access and permissions to only what is necessary.
• Regularly back up your website's data and files.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional security.
• Be cautious with third-party themes and plugins; only use reputable sources.
• Monitor your website's traffic and activity for any signs of suspicious behaviour.

If you suspect your WordPress website has been compromised, it's important to take immediate action by restoring from a clean backup, conducting a thorough security audit, and patching any vulnerabilities that were exploited.