Companies specializing in WordPress face similar concerns regarding just how effective WordPress security can be. Fortunately, WordPress is in fact one of the most secure content management systems. This is attributed to an active community and security team who offer constant access to recent updates, themes and plugins. The first step towards ensuring security is making sure your plugins are from reputable sources and constantly updated. About half the total number of security breaches to WordPress sites are due to server side vulnerably, which WordPress has virtually no control over. It is important to keep these factors in mind when evaluating WordPress security and the different aspects effecting your sites security.
Stay Updated
Since the initial release of WordPress, over 2,500 vulnerabilities have been patched. This is in large due to the diligent security team that works to constantly provide the WordPress user with core security updates on a regular basis. Keeping your WordPress site up-to-date is the most effective way to maintain a secure site. Lacking the latest patch or recent plugin update is what results in WordPress security vulnerabilities, leaving yourself open to potential attacks from hackers.
Third Party Players
The most common misconception about WordPress security is not regarding WordPress, but rather third-party developers. Plugins and themes that have been introduced by non-reputable programmers often reflect poor programming standards that leave sites vulnerable. Installing plugins from an unrecognized source is risky and should be utilized only once the source is proven to be reliable. Here are three tips to make sure the plugin your receiving from a third party is secure:
- Is the plugin causing any PHP errors?
- Is the plugin commonly available in the WordPress Plugin repository?
- Does the plugin cause any conflicts with other installed plugins or themes? (Often a result of poor programming)
A Good Host
A common misconception about WordPress security often overlooked is hidden server-side. Hackers attempting to penetrate a WordPress site will often target the selected web host, hoping to compromise multiple sites. Just about 40% of all successful hacking attempts are due to a security flaw in the sites selected hosting platform. Essentially, WordPress has little to no control over about half the total of successful security breaches. Since the issue is server side, it is often due to the host not keeping up with WordPress’s up-to-date security patches. Selecting secure hosting ensures that your site takes the first required step towards being as secure as possible.
Secure?
In terms of WordPress security, the bottom line is that it is one of the most secure content management systems on the market today. The first step in overcoming the common misconception that WordPress is not secure is to make sure you consistently check your updates, themes and plugins. Forgetting to keep your site up-to-date will result in a frenzy of hackers targeting your plugin vulnerabilities, rather than WordPress itself. Making sure your plugins are properly coded and from a reputable source is also key in maintaining a secure site. Review your hosting platform and confirm that it stays updated with the latest security patches that are offered by WordPress.
Evidently, WordPress is substantially secure as compared to other platforms, when optimized and utilized correctly. Half of the security breaches faced by WordPress are server side while the other half are due to update negligence. An active community and security team are in constant support of WordPress, resulting in a very secure platform.
