As the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), WordPress is well-known for its flexibility, adaptability and functionality that goes above and beyond even its closest competitors. 

Used on websites both big and small, it’s the preferred CMS for both regular blog and information-based websites, as well as eCommerce websites and other more substantial, complex digital platforms.

However, the last thing any website administrator needs is an open backdoor on their site, leaving the content inside vulnerable to cybercriminals and hackers. With many reasons to attack a website, these digital barbarians are not interested in saving your data or giving your business back. They often use automated systems and scour the internet for websites that show their vulnerability and strike instantaneously, destroying all you have worked hard to create.

This is why all users must take WordPress security seriously – or face the consequences.  

Digital consultants like Myk Baxter Marketing spend a lot of time and effort recovering and saving what they can for new clients who have less than adequate security systems online. Not only is this costly and time-consuming, it is also entirely avoidable when the correct systems are in place from the start.

WordPress, with its popularity, has become an easy target for hackers, always working to find the latest work around the most recent patch or security update. Website hosts and companies that offer ongoing maintenance and support, like Myk Baxter Marketing, need to conduct regular reviews, updates and maintenance to their clients’ sites to ensure ongoing security. Like any good maintenance job, it’s a never-ending process to keep things running smooth. 

An up-to-date, properly hosted and operated WordPress website with firewalling, malware scanning, and intrusion detection is considered sufficiently secure. Luckily, WordPress offers automatic updates features and also rewards expert hackers for identifying security flaws in their systems that they can then find a fix for. 

Online, the most common security risks include skimmers (information theft, such as on eCommerce stores’ user login information), spammers (using the site to send spam emails, with viruses embedded), and phishing (tactics involve attempting to convince users to share sensitive information directly by exploiting their trust in your website).

Other risks include content injection, denial of service (DoS and DDoS attacks), malicious redirects, malware downloads and ransomware.

Thankfully, WordPress is a mature and well-developed system, with a community dedicated to preventing the worst from happening. However, to prevent and mitigate WordPress security incidents, website owners should invest in the following:

Managed Hosting

It’s essential to have a paid-for web hosting environment that is consistently maintained and managed. Myk Baxter Marketing offers a range of hosting services that holistically address important issues like firewalling and patching of server software. 

Web Application Firewall

A common term these days, a firewall protects your computer or website from unwanted attacks – it’s like a bouncer at a club. It also proactively blocks automated DoS and DDoS attacks.

Malware Scanners

One of the more difficult hacks to identify is malicious code that has been embedded into your site. Sometimes it may take months to activate, with precise parameters that could go unnoticed for a long time. A malware scanner actively alerts users to any security risk or out-of-place code that looks suspicious. 

For more WordPress security solutions, or to receive a full website review, contact Myk Baxter Marketing who can advise you on the positive and negatives surrounding your WordPress security situation.