Outdated PHP versions are WordPress’s #1 security hole—yet 30% of sites still run PHP 7.x (unsupported since 2022). Hackers exploit known vulnerabilities in old PHP to inject malware. We migrated a client’s site from PHP 7.4 to 8.2, patching 12 critical security gaps. Another risk? Default database prefixes (wp_). Automated bots target these for SQL injections. Changing to unique prefixes during installation is simple but often overlooked. Our deployment checklist includes 25+ security measures, from disabling XML-RPC (used in DDoS attacks) to hiding WordPress version numbers. Basic precautions prevent 80% of attacks.
Plugin vulnerabilities account for 60% of hacked WordPress sites. Even reputable plugins can become risks if abandoned by developers. We audit clients’ sites quarterly, replacing outdated plugins with secure alternatives or custom code. A client’s WooCommerce site was compromised via a vulnerable “countdown timer” plugin—we rebuilt the feature natively in 2 days. File permissions are another weak spot: world-writable (777) folders let hackers upload backdoors. Our hardening process sets strict permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files) and implements real-time file integrity monitoring. For high-risk industries (healthcare, finance), we add Web Application Firewalls (WAF) that block suspicious traffic before it reaches your site.
Human error remains the biggest threat. Weak passwords, shared admin accounts, and unmonitored user activity invite breaches. We enforce two-factor authentication (2FA) for all logins and create custom admin roles with least-privilege access. For a school district managing 200+ editor accounts, we implemented SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) with Azure AD, eliminating password reuse risks. Regular automated backups (stored offsite) ensure quick recovery if breaches occur. WordPress powers 43% of websites—making it a prime target. Proactive security costs 10X less than post-hack cleanup. Our managed hosting includes all these protections by default.