WordPress is a free, dynamic, highly customizable and arguably the best platform for content creation and website development. However, despite all its advantages, WordPress is still susceptible to attacks. The Content Management System (CMS) architecture is built on MySQL and PHP which exposes it to vulnerabilities from hackers. Fortunately, with the latest WP update and an efficient WordPress hosting solution, you can stay clear of probable attacks by hackers. Being the most common website creation tool, it is important for business owners to learn about the possible risks that your WP account can face and how to protect your site data.
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Contents
Top 5 WordPress Vulnerabilities
Security Bypass
WordPress is highly dynamic and performance-driven, which means that to fulfill its increasing users’ needs and expected site performance, it keeps updating its plugins. These plugins help enhance the site features, making it more attractive and user-friendly. It is essential to know that most of these plugins (like Mobile Pack Plugin) pave the way for hackers to bypass the security checks of your site and access hidden data. To counter this, try using the latest version of the plugins. Additionally, to keep the plugin URLs hidden, you can use the ’Hide My WP’ Pro plugin, which allows you to change your site theme and plugin names.
SQL injection
WP is a database-driven platform, mostly using SQL for their databases. The website also collects information from the site users like signup page, login, contact forms, search, feedbacks, or shopping carts (for e-commerce sites). This makes the CMS open to loopholes making way for code insertions using malicious parameters, which can create irrelevant data, retrieve or even delete any vital data from the site. To fix this problem, you first need to run a WP scan using its scanning tools and discover the SQL vulnerabilities and then follow it with updating your WP core, PHP versions, themes, and plugins.
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Sensitive files access
Your WP site is bound to store vital business information and user data. Any unwarranted access to these sensitive files can become a security risk for your entire site and thus, your business. Also, your hosting platform can contribute to this threat by allowing shared users to access the hidden directories on your site. That is why it is essential to partner with a reliable hosting provider who provides you with a WP hosting plan which restricts access to sensitive information and tightens your site security. Also, as a website owner, it is recommended that you hide your WP version from the public in order to prevent easy access of attackers.
Default user account
More often than not, site owners use default admin accounts which exposes it to external threats from hackers. To avoid this, it is better to delete the admin account and replace it with a generic username and a secure password and continue with your admin privileges.
Predictable databases
When you install WordPress, your database comes with a default prefix of ‘wp_’, which is highly predictable for regular hackers and access the other details to get access to your site. You can easily remove the default settings and change the database prefix with something uncommon yet relevant in order to keep any malicious activities at bay.
Summing up…
There is no fail safe method of building and managing a WordPress site. But you can always make it difficult for unwanted visitors on your site by tightening the security measures of your site and adopting smart tools, so your business continues to grow and succeed.
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