WordPress is available for free, and the current generation considers it as being the best tool for blogging.
From past few years, WordPress has gained huge popularity among bloggers community by beating Drupal and Blogger like platforms. But the sad truth is that this popularity has introduced so many WordPress vulnerabilities . Actually, the template system and plugin architecture for WordPress are designed using MySQL and PHP, so hackers find it easier to ruin the valuable content.
Today, unlimited websites are running on WordPress, so it is important to take essential steps to fix the vulnerabilities.
Experts reveal that latest updates help WordPress users to fix most of the troubles and they can stay safe from unbearable attacks of hackers. If you are also running a website or blog on WordPress, it is high time to know some common fixes to handle Top WordPress Vulnerabilities 2018. The information below can help you to protect your data online.
Top WordPress Vulnerabilities 2018
Security Bypass Vulnerabilities
You might be aware of the fact that WordPress keep on updating the list of plugins to make websites more interactive and user-friendly. Sadly, some of these plugins are loaded with security vulnerabilities through which hackers find a way to access hidden data of website owners. In some worst cases, hackers can even modify the security details of websites. Experts reveal that one of the most common reasons behind security bypass vulnerabilities is the installation of new plugins such as Mobile Pack Plugin etc.
Solution:
Reports reveal that Mobile Pack Plugin generally provide access to the posts that are password protected, but this issue can be easily fixed by just updating the plugin to its version 2.0.2.
People who are using WPTouch Plugin often face issue with the administrative functions, and it allows unauthorized people to upload server-side codes but in order to get rid of this issue, try installing version 3.4.3 instead of 3.4.2.
To hide the plugins URL and keep your website protected, download the Hide My WordPress Ghost plugin and change the themes and plugins name.
Wordpress SQL Injection and URL Hacking
WordPress is well known as a database-backed platform where all the server-side scripts are executed in PHP. This feature makes WordPress more vulnerable to the URL insertion attacks. Hackers can easily disturb the normal functionality of WordPress by creating some malicious parameters without authorization. Many users, till now, have experienced serious issues due to those triggered behaviors of the database; this situation can also cause risk to the sensitive information on websites.
Solution:
The best solution for this issue is to host WordPress installations on Apache Web Server. Note that Apache makes use of the .htaccess file to define various access rules for WordPress websites. These rules are capable enough to protect you from URL hacks and unwanted SQL injections.
For Apache servers add the Vulnerability protection in .htaccess with Hide My WordPress Ghost plugin.
Access to the Sensitive Files
WordPress platform possesses several sensitive files that are generated at the time of its installation. If somehow hackers gain access to these essential files, they can pose serious issues on security system of your website. Sometimes, hosts also provide others ability to view the hidden directories of the website, and it can easily allow malicious parties to modify the site security arrangements.
Solution:
First of all, you need to understand which files on your WordPress platform contain sensitive information; they must have special protection on the network. These files must be secured in such a manner that only administrators can view and modify them. The website owners are able to restrict access to certain directories on their network so that hackers cannot jump deep into the sensitive content.
An easy solution would be to hide the old common paths from WordPress with Hide My WordPress Ghost plugin and change them with custom paths (No Programming Experience Required).
Default Admin User Account
Some skilled hackers are capable enough to gain privileged access to the secure system of WordPress websites. The default admin accounts are more vulnerable to such attacks as hackers are capable enough to generate unique passwords for default admin accounts to enjoy uninterrupted access to the website. The automated scripts help them to make relentless logins that can provide success within very less time.
Solution:
Most of the hackers know that it is easier to gain authorized access to the administrative account of the WordPress websites and they consider it safest way to hack important websites. But if you delete the admin account and use some generic name to access a user account with administrative privilege, it may help you to secure your website. In such situation, hackers need to try hacking every account on the website to gain access to the admin account, but this technique is obviously quite difficult and time-consuming. So, you can easily prevent attacks on your content.
Default Prefix for Database Tables
The WordPress database is loaded with a large number of tables, and they are often named with a prefix “wp_”. Hence, hackers find it easy to predict the rest details and can gain access to the secure database on the server.
Solution:
The best solution is to change the prefix for WordPress tables so that no one can predict the details. WordPress gives you the opportunity to choose something unique and unpredictable right after the installation so that malicious activities can be kept under control.
Conclusion:
If you are running an online business and want to protect your WordPress website from hackers you need to take all the security solutions seriously. Also, you need tools like WordPress Vulnerabilities Check to monitor your WordPress website and receive notifications when you have vulnerability issues on your website.
I have over 15 years of experience in building plugins and themes for WordPress and other platforms.
Contact me if you have plugins that you want me to check before you insert them into your website. I will be happy to check them for security and speed.
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Good tips to know. I didn’t understand the part why anyone would want to hack a blog with a bunch of articles then forgot there’s the business end of it so that makes sense. Thanks for sharing
Hi, most of the hackers are doing this for learning and practicing. It’s sad that they try to hack any website but the good news is that we can protect our websites against them.
I had no idea there were even tools like this out there…it’s also safe to say I didn’t realize my site was potentially vulnerable. I’ll definitely look more into this, thanks for the tips!
You’re welcome Megan. You can register to our Security Monitor service for free: https://wpplugins.tips/wordpress-vulnerability-detector/
Thank you for your feedback. You can also register to our Security Monitor service for free: https://wpplugins.tips/wordpress-vulnerability-detector/
Great tips, I sure would use this since I am not really tech savvy but still try to be lol and learning along the way.
I prefer Squarespace but really good to know in case I do use WordPress in the future. Thanks for the useful tips!
Great article. I have to remember this. I do have a WordPress blog but it’s a free one so I don’t have to deal with all those problems yet. I do intend to switch to a paid account by the end of the year and then all those information will come in handy.
I need to keep this in mind! I always want to keep my blog safe, that’s for sure.
You’re most welcome
Thank you for your feedback Amber. You can also register to our Security Monitor service for free: https://wpplugins.tips/wordpress-vulnerability-detector/
Thanks for these tips. I am still new to blogging and am pretty sure that I will encounter these in the future. I will use these solutions when I come across these problems.
These are great things to know, I’m a bit naive when it comes to my website security. Thx for having solutions accompanying each concern!
Excellent post! Thanks for the tips. I’ll be sharing these with my team.
Great Terri! You can register to our Security Monitor service for free: https://wpplugins.tips/wordpress-vulnerability-detector/
It’s so scary to imagined getting my blog hacked. These are good tips for those with WP. I think I’ll stick to my Squarespace account tho.
xoxo
Annie
Squarespace is a good choice to business websites. WordPress is for all kind of companies.
Appreciate these tips! Will really keep this list and used it soon.
You’re welcome Jasmine
I use WordPress and had no idea about these vulnerabilities. So glad you are shining a light on these and sharing the solutions!
You’re welcome Sarah. You can register to our Security Monitor service for free: https://wpplugins.tips/wordpress-vulnerability-detector/
These are some great tips to keep in mind! How cool that there are different solutions to different problems.
xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
this is a really informative post. thank you. i considered using wordpress but ended up settling for blogger which i find simple and easy enough for me.
Blogger is a good choice too. Thanks for your feedback
Thanks for this informative post! I am still learning so much about how this all works and every time I read a post such as this, I learn one more thing!
A very informative post especially to those who have or are deciding to have a WordPress website. It just shows that everything can be figured out.
Thank you for your feedback
Great article! Online security is always changing so keeping up to date on the latest vulnerabilities is important. Thanks for sharing
Yes, WordPress Security is changing because of the new vulnerabilities. It’s important to keep your website safe.
I always enjoy learning the most I can. Will share this information with my husband, he’s more techie than me and has been helping me with the back end of my blog.
Thank you for your feedback.
This was really helpful information, and I’ve already adapted many of the changes you’ve listed. I had an issue last winter where my blog had an issue with bad bots. It can be devastating to have all of your work disappear, so it’s so important to take the preventative measures that you’ve shared!
This post, and your website as a whole, will definitely be useful for me as I try to navigate the best ways to optimize my plugins for better UX. Thank you so much for these resources…I will definitely be returning!