Why Does WordPress Get Hacked? 10 WordPress Security Tips to Stay Safe

If you’re running a WordPress site for your business in 2025, you might wonder why you keep hearing about WordPress security a lot lately.

WordPress powers about 43.2% of all websites on the Internet, which is impressive, but it also makes it a prime target for hackers. 

It’s like having the most popular house on the block—more visitors, but also more potential break-ins.

Let’s talk about why WordPress sites get hacked so often and, more importantly, what practical steps you can take to protect your website.

But before diving further let’s try to understand the core problems:

• It’s a numbers game. With millions of WordPress sites online, hackers know their automated attacks will find vulnerable targets somewhere.
• Outdated WordPress versions. Many business owners set up WordPress and then forget about maintenance. An outdated WordPress core, theme, or plugin is like leaving your windows open when you go on vacation (A good reminder to check if you are on vacation right now) 
• Third-party code creates risk. Every plugin you install is code someone else wrote. If they weren’t security-conscious (or if they’ve abandoned the plugin), you’ve just installed a potential back door.
• Many site owners aren’t security experts. Let’s be honest—you’re focused on running your business, not learning cybersecurity. Hackers get this easily. 
• Shared hosting environments. If you’re on budget hosting, your site might be affected by problems with other sites on the same server.

10 Practical Ways to Secure Your WordPress Site

Good news: you don’t need to be a security expert to significantly improve your WordPress security. 

Here are straightforward steps any business owner can take to secure their WordPress site:

1. Keep Everything Updated

This is your first line of defence. WordPress, themes, and plugins all need regular updates. Set aside 15 minutes each month to log in and click those update buttons. 

Many security issues are fixed in updates, so this alone eliminates many vulnerabilities.

2. Use Strong Authentication

Your login page is the front door to your website:

• Use strong, unique passwords (a password manager helps with this)
• Enable WordPress 2fa (two-factor authentication)
• Limit login attempts to block brute force attacks
• Consider changing your admin username from the default “admin”

3. Change Default Settings

WordPress comes with some settings that hackers know about:

• Change your admin URL from the obvious /wp-admin/
• Use a different database prefix than “wp_”
• Hide which WordPress version you’re running.
• These small changes help hide the “You Are Here” sign hackers look for.

4. Implement Access Controls

Be selective about who can access your site:

• Block suspicious IP addresses, especially those making repeated login attempts
• Use .htaccess restrictions to limit access to important areas
• Consider country-based blocking if you only serve specific regions

5. Manage User Permissions

Not everyone needs full access:

• Only give admin roles to people who need them
• Set WordPress to log out idle users automatically
• Turn off file editing in the dashboard for regular users
• Review user accounts periodically and remove old ones

6. Install a Security Plugin

You don’t have to do everything manually. Good WordPress security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security can handle many security tasks automatically. 

Think of them as your security system—they monitor, alert, and often fix problems before you even know about them.

7. Regular Backups

Even with perfect security, things can go wrong. Make sure you:

• Set up automated backups that run at least weekly
• Store backups in a location separate from your main hosting
• Test restoring from backup occasionally to make sure it works

8. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF sits between your site and visitors, filtering out suspicious traffic:

• Blocks common attack patterns
• Prevents brute force attempts
• Reduces server load from malicious bots
• Many security plugins include WAF features, or you can use services like Cloudflare

9. Monitor Your Site

You need to know if something goes wrong:

• Set up regular security scans
• Enable activity logging to see who’s doing what
• Check periodically for unfamiliar files or changes
• Consider uptime monitoring to alert you if your site goes down

10. Choose a Secure Hosting Provider

Not all hosts are created equal when it comes to security:

• Look for WordPress-specific hosting with built-in security features
• Consider managed WordPress hosting if the budget allows
• Ask potential hosts about their security measures and backup policies before purchasing them.

Taking Action Today

WordPress Security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with the basics:

1. Update everything right now
2. Install a security plugin
3. Set up proper backups
4. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

These four steps alone will put you ahead of many WordPress sites and significantly reduce your risk. 

Think of website security like locking your business doors at night—it’s just part of protecting what you’ve built.

Remember, perfect security doesn’t exist, but good security habits make you a much harder target. 

When hackers encounter resistance, they typically move on to easier targets—make sure that’s not your business website.

P.S. If you’re not a tech expert and need someone to handle your maintenance work, feel free to contact our WordPress experts today or get a 100% free website audit now.

FAQ

1. How can I make my WordPress site secure?
Keep WordPress updated, use strong passwords, install a security plugin, enable two-factor authentication, and use a reliable hosting provider. Regular backups and limiting login attempts also help prevent hacks.

2. What is the best WordPress security plugin?
Popular security plugins include Wordfence, Sucuri, and iThemes Security. Each offers firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security. Choose one based on your site’s needs and ease of use.

3. Does WordPress have bad security?
No, WordPress itself is secure, but weak passwords, outdated plugins, and poor hosting can make it vulnerable. Regular updates and security measures keep it safe from hackers.

4. Is a security plugin necessary for WordPress?
Yes, a security plugin adds extra protection against malware, brute-force attacks, and hacking attempts. While not mandatory, it greatly reduces risks, especially for business websites.

5. Is WordPress safe and secure?
Yes, WordPress is secure when properly maintained. Regular updates, strong passwords, security plugins, and reliable hosting keep it safe from cyber threats.

6. How do I know if someone hacked my website?
Signs of a hack include unexpected redirects, slow performance, unfamiliar users, modified content, or Google warnings. If you notice these, scan your site for malware and restore a clean backup.