Most of you would probably be aware that the most popular CMS or content management system in the world is WordPress. Approximately 40 percent of all websites are running on WordPress. If you own a WordPress website, it is important to have a clear understanding of WordPress security.
An interesting thing to note is that WordPress is an open-source content management system. This means that almost anyone will be able to build a website without any hassles. However, you will need to focus on website security to stay away from cyberattacks and data breaches.
WordPress is not just used by individual bloggers and small businesses. The New Yorker, TechCrunch, The Walt Disney Company, Rolling Stones, and more use the popular content management system. That said, one of the major issues WordPress website owners face is that they cannot keep cybercriminals and hackers away from their websites.
Is WordPress Insecure
Now, most WordPress website owners would be wondering whether WordPress is insecure or not. The answer is no; the WordPress content management system is not insecure. However, with the modularity of WordPress and since it is open source, there are chances for security vulnerabilities to happen.
That said, whenever there is a security issue with WordPress core, the team immediately gets on top of it and fixes it by releasing updates in a timely fashion. This is something other content management systems have failed to do.
If a security vulnerability is found within a Multipurpose WordPress theme or plugin, then we will need to rely on the software developer to release a patch to fix the issue. However, if the security bugs get ugly, the WordPress team will automatically force updates to everyone to prevent mass infiltration.
There is no denying the fact that WordPress continues to be a common target of hackers and cybercriminals. As cybercrimes and data breaches increase alarmingly, WordPress website owners need to understand why WordPress sites are getting hacked.
No SSL Certificates
One of the major reasons several WordPress websites are getting hacked is that they do not have SSL certificates. SSL or Secure Socket Layer certificates serve the important purpose of encrypting the connection between the client-server and the website. This will make your website virtually immune to data sniffing and cyberattacks.
It is important to find and install the right type of SSL certificate to ensure website security, data integrity, and business authentication. So, if your WordPress website is not using an SSL certificate, then it is best to buy it from reliable SSL certificate providers. They stock premium yet cheap SSL certificates from trusted CAs such as RapidSSL, AlphaSSL, and Comodo SSL certificates.
Using Weak Passwords
One of the common mistakes that several WordPress website owners make is using the same password for all accounts. Using a simple and easy-to-remember password might seem like a good idea to several website owners. However, this is not a good idea, as hackers and cybercriminals may easily crack it.
Also, if you are using just one password for all accounts, hackers will gain access to the account by simply cracking just one account. It is always best to opt for a password mixed with numbers, symbols, and an alphabet.
Unique Username
WordPress software was equipped with a pre-configured and inbuilt username, but that’s not the case today. This is because some issues occurred since the password and username come as a combination. It was also easy to guess one when you know either one of these things. There were security breaches and complaints regarding the same.
As a result, it has become mandatory to change the username of your WordPress account from admin to anything else. Changing the admin name will ensure that hackers will not be able to make easy guesses, which will, in turn, keep your website away from cyberattacks and data breaches.
Admin Privilege for Many People
Several WordPress website owners fail to realize that giving admin privileges to so many people can be a bad idea. If there are too many admins in your WordPress account, you are at a higher risk of getting hacked.
Employees who have been assigned as admins will be able to make changes to your WordPress account as they please. This might include disabling the firewall for completing a certain task.
If the admin forgets to enable the firewall, then a hacker might end up accessing your account. Therefore, it is always best to limit the number of admins on a WordPress account to be as minimum as possible.
Insecure Web Hosting
Several people assume that their WordPress account will be safe, and it will never get hacked. As a result, they end up settling for a cheap web host without considering website security. This is a typical mistake made by several WordPress website owners from all over the world.
Data breaches cost over 8 million dollars in the United States in 2019, and the numbers have increased since then. Fortunately, you can avoid the chance of data breaches by opting for a reputed and secure web host.
Experts recommend that the cost of web hosting for a year on average should be around 300 dollars. If you opt for a good web host, they will have trained staff who will offer better protection for your WordPress website.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to remember that not just WordPress websites but all sites can get hacked. The good news is that there are several ways to prevent your website from getting hacked, and some of them are as follows.
- Avoid using weak passwords
- Get a WAF (Web Application Firewall)
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Regularly backup your website
- Minimize the number of admins