Navigating WordPress's Security Battlefield

Navigating WordPress's Security Battlefield

WordPress is a popular CMS platform that attracts both webmasters and cybercriminals. It is a constantly evolving environment where both parties strive to gain an advantage.

Currently, it is the CMS that is most frequently targeted by hackers.

Ensure the safety of both yourself and your website.

If you are concerned about this, don’t worry. There are ways to protect your WordPress website from cybercriminals and their attempts to exploit security vulnerabilities.

Here is a list of WordPress website security attack vectors.

• Security misconfiguration occurs when incorrect settings are implemented, which can compromise the security of your website.
• Insecure deserialization involves modifying serialized objects, which can potentially lead to attacks.
• Clickjacking involves the deceptive practice of tricking users into clicking on hidden links.
• Local File Inclusion (LFI) is a technique that involves causing the target site to process files on its web server, which can be potentially malicious.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) involves the injection of malicious scripts into web pages that are then seen by other users.
• Password Exploits refer to the act of using easily guessable or insecure passwords in order to gain unauthorized access to a website.
• A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack involves flooding services with unwanted connections.
• Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a type of attack that involves manipulating users into unknowingly performing actions they did not intend to do.
• Remote File Inclusion (RFI) involves the importation and execution of external files on a server.
• Unvalidated Redirects and Forwards can potentially mislead users and direct them to harmful websites.
• Malware Infections refer to the presence of different types of malicious software.
• Brute Force Attacks involve repetitive login attempts made in order to gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems and user data.
• SQL Injection (SQLi) refers to the act of injecting SQL code into a database with the intent to manipulate or access data without proper authorization.
• XML External Entity (XXE) Attacks involve exploiting an XML parser in order to gain unauthorized access to internal files.
• Authentication Bypass is the act of bypassing security measures to gain access to protected resources without providing valid login credentials.
• Lack of or Outdated Security Patches is another potential issue, which can result in known security vulnerabilities being left unpatched.
• Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) refers to the unauthorized access of data through manipulation of input parameters or URLs.
• Information Leakage refers to the unintentional exposure of sensitive information.

4 Common WordPress Security Faults

• Out-of-date website
• Allowing third-party access to your WordPress website.
• Possible vulnerabilities have been identified in the forms of your WordPress website.
• Admin email exploits

How to Safeguard Your Website from WordPress's Security Vulnerabilities.

This article examines the prevalent threats that WordPress websites encounter and provides recommendations for safeguarding your site.

1. Out-of-Date Website

An outdated website can pose a risk to your site's security as it may contain outdated elements that cybercriminals can exploit to gain unauthorized access.

Regrettably, many WordPress website owners neglect to keep their sites up to date due to inadequate management and oversight.

Approach website security with the same level of importance as you would a high-end vehicle.

The first step to addressing this issue is to change your mindset. By treating your website with the same care and attention as you would an expensive car and providing regular maintenance, you can prevent unnecessary problems.

Outdated Website Database

When it comes to updates, website owners often overlook the importance of maintaining their website's database, which contains all of their essential site data. For example, if you're utilizing MariaDB, one of the largest databases for cPanel or WordPress hosting, and it's been announced that your current version is approaching its end-of-life.

If you don't update your specific version of MariaDB, it won't receive security patches, which could potentially make your website vulnerable to hackers seeking easy exploits.

Small vulnerabilities like this can make your website susceptible to attacks.

Outdated and Untrustworthy Plugins

Keeping your plugins updated is an effective way to strengthen your defenses and deter opportunistic hackers. It is also recommended to carefully select and retain only plugins from reliable sources.

When it comes to plugins, there is a significant distinction between a well-constructed plugin and one developed by an inexperienced developer. We often advise clients to purchase plugins from reputable sources such as WooCommerce, rather than from unknown developers.

If plugins are not regularly updated, they can cause problems for your website. One common issue we have observed is websites failing to deliver contact form submissions because their form contact plugins are outdated.

Outdated WordPress Themes

Regularly updating your themes is important to stay current with WordPress changes. While it may take time and divert attention from your business, it is not difficult to do.

To schedule a discovery call and maintain your WordPress website, please reach out to us.

For additional information regarding our website support services, please refer to our Ongoing Website Support page.

2. Third-party Access to Your WordPress Website

Protecting your website from security issues, including those specific to WordPress, involves using common sense. It is important to exercise caution when granting access to individuals who are unfamiliar or untrusted.

From a site management perspective, sharing your cPanel is equivalent to disclosing your social security information. Typically, only you, your webmaster, and your most trusted employees should have access.

If someone else needs access to your website, you can give them limited access. For example, if you hire someone to update your blog, you can assign them as an "Author" or "Contributor," which will restrict their access to creating and managing specific posts.

WordPress Login Monitoring Tools

For improved website security, consider using plugins such as Wordfence and Defender Pro, which effectively monitor login attempts on your site.

Both plugins provide tracking and alert features for suspicious activities, as well as additional security features like firewall protection and malware scans.

Wordfence has a database of blacklisted IPs that are automatically blocked for your protection.

Regular audits are conducted to determine which individuals have access to your website.

Regular access audits can enhance website security. It is recommended to conduct audits every quarter. There are various audit tools available, such as "activity log plugins" or "audit trail plugins," that are designed for monitoring and managing user access.

A Google search will provide information on the various tools currently available on the market, including WP Activity Log.

How to customize the URL of your WordPress admin panel.

Third-party access to your website can also be obtained through the default WP admin. Hackers can use developer tools to assess your website's security, and if they discover any vulnerabilities, particularly with the default WP admin, they may target your site.

To prevent this possibility, you can modify the URL of your WordPress dashboard from the default website.com/wp-admin to something distinct.

In addition, a feature can be set up on your website to block access to the default WP admin, as this may suggest unfamiliarity with your system. Another option is to implement a setting that blocks IP addresses after multiple unsuccessful login attempts.

To receive help, you can schedule a quick chat with Kyle and the Dog and Rooster team.

Enhancing Password Security with LastPass

To enhance the security of your website, it is recommended to implement strict password policies. Avoid using weak passwords such as "password123" or common usernames like "admin" to minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Instead, opt for more intricate and distinct passwords, as well as unique usernames.

We recommend using LastPass (not affiliated), a password generator that also provides the convenience of granting website access to team members.

3. Vulnerabilities in the Forms of your WordPress Website

Not all hackers require third-party access to your website in order to steal information. Some hackers specifically target weaknesses in the forms on your website, which does not require direct access to your website's backend.

Forms that collect personal or financial information are frequently targeted, and hackers often use SQL injections to gain access to a website's database.

There are two methods to safeguard the forms on your WordPress website.

There are two actions that can be taken to protect your forms.

One, use a Honeypot

One of the tools you can use is a Honeypot, which is effective in detecting automated attacks. It operates by incorporating hidden fields into the forms on your website, and if a bot completes one of these hidden fields, you will be notified.

Real users are unable to see the Honeypot, while bots unknowingly reveal their presence by engaging with it.

This technique can be useful in distinguishing between automated responses and fake form submissions.

Please ensure that the permissions are set correctly.

After addressing the threat of automated bots with the Honeypot, it is important to also protect your website against malicious file uploads, which is the next point to consider.

It is important to set appropriate permissions for file uploads. In most cases, only specific file types such as PDFs, JPEGs, DOCs, or XLSs should be allowed. These formats are typically safe and do not have the ability to contain malicious codes like PHP.

Blocking unauthorized file types helps to prevent potential threats from being uploaded and residing on your server.

4. Admin Email Exploits

When using a WordPress website, it is important to exercise caution when clicking on emails. Despite the common knowledge of not clicking on spam emails, it is surprising to see the number of individuals who still fall for more advanced phishing emails, even among WordPress administrators.

A recommended approach to prevent falling for phishing emails is to only click on emails from familiar sources.

WordPress phishing emails have the potential to be highly deceptive.

Hackers are knowledgeable about the types of emails that website administrators typically receive. This is why phishing emails that specifically target WordPress website owners can be extremely dangerous. Additionally, WordPress website owners often receive a significant amount of emails relating to updates, plugins, and other important information.

To prevent phishing attacks, it is recommended to minimize the use of email login links and instead log into your admin panel directly for a safer experience.

The importance of your WordPress website's security.

In a single month in 2016, Google blacklisted 20,000 websites for malware and 50,000 websites for phishing. As time has passed, hackers have developed more advanced and deceitful methods.

The cost of global cybercrime is projected to increase to $10.5 trillion USD per year by 2025, as reported by Cybersecurity Ventures, compared to $3 trillion USD in 2015.

It is important to prevent your business from becoming the next target.

To protect your WordPress website from cyber threats, consider our managed web hosting services that can strengthen your site's security.

Here are the top 10 WordPress errors that can impact your website's performance and security.

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