WordPress, a best framework among “Content Management System’s” (CMS) which is used to create most beautiful websites and blogging sites.
To protect any kind of Business, Security is must hence ,”Be aware & connect with care” so that it is not vulnerable , for example we say that there exists lot of vulnerabilities(Weakness) in this website hence it easily paves the way to the attacker to perform unauthorized actions & finally destroying the system.
Now let us look into the elements through which vulnerabilities arise at WordPress: –
WordPress Themes
- Themes are the ready-made layouts which are also responsive, created for WordPress which are suitable for most of the general sites and eCommerce websites.
- Among which you can select the design as per your project requirement and utilize it. Example: Astra, Ultra, Ocean WP etc.
- Certainly, some issues have proved that WordPress websites have been compromised (hacked) due to the theme vulnerabilities which occur due to the improper selection of themes by the user, this happens when we download the theme which is not relevant from unknown sites, nulled themes (Duplicate of the original premium theme), the themes may be poorly coded thus becomes vulnerable.
- Nulled themes: – are actually the pirated copies of an original premium theme, that are hacked and sold illegally on the internet at a lower price or for free. Without your knowledge that particular free theme affects your websites & thus your website gets compromised by hackers.
Methods to overcome WordPress Theme issue: –
- Identify & Select good themes which are reputed or your trust-able sources before using them.
- Either go for premium theme or a free theme which is comes with a copyright.
- Choose the one which have proper documentation support.
- Check for updated versions.
WordPress Plugins
- Plugins are the essential building blocks of WordPress Websites, which adds on new functionality which adds on new functionalities to the websites.
- On downloading WordPress there exists few plugins by default. As per the requirement one can install new plugins in which some are free & some of them has to be paid.
- Many issues have proved that WordPress websites have been compromised (hacked) due to the plugin vulnerabilities, hence the choice of plugin must be done carefully.
- There exist many plugins which performs the same functionality with different design or structure among them there also exists, poorly coded plugins, Rogue plugins, out-of-date plugins which provides the way for hackers to gain access to your website.
Methods to overcome WordPress Plugin issue: –
- Choose the right plugin: – Select quality plugin from good reputed marketplaces like WordPress Plugin Repository, or your trust-able sources before installing them
- Look into the plugin’s ratings, user reviews, support & documentation etc.
- Look for updated plugins on a regular basis & it’s a good practice to install plugins on a need only basis.
- Delete unwanted plugins.
WordPress Security Issues
Here, are the most common security issues which have been seen till today which makes the way for the hackers to gain access to the site & destroy the system.
Let us look into them one-by-one and see how those issues can be addressed: –
Brute force attack
- Every WordPress websites requires you to perform sign up beforehand to create websites, blogs, eCommerce projects etc.
- As sign up procedure consists of two parameters, Username and Password.
- The hacker here tries to enter random usernames & passwords in order to gain access to the site and thus perform attack.
- Solution to fix the issue: – Thus, to avoid such attack, the user must create strong password which is a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers & special characters etc.
File Inclusion exploits
- File inclusion exploits occur when vulnerable code (poor coding) is used to load remote files that allow attackers to gain access to your website. Here the attacker can gain access to your WordPress website’s wp-config.php file, one of the most important files in your WordPress installation.
- wp-config.php file: – Is located in the root of your WordPress file directory and contains your website’s base configuration details, such as database connection information.
- When you first download WordPress, the wp-config.php file is not included. The WordPress setup process will create a wp-config.php file for you based on the information you provide.
- Hence using the above information, the hacker can easily execute the attack.
SQL Injections
- WordPress website uses a MySQL database to operate. SQL injections occur when an attacker gains access to your WordPress database and to all of your website data.
- Upon successful intrusion, a hacker can manipulate MySQL database and quite possibly gain access to your WordPress admin or simply change its credentials for further damage.
- SQL injections can also be used to insert new data into your database, including links to malicious or spam websites.
- Solution to fix the issue: – You may use a plugin to know whether your file has been SQL injected & also look for updated plugins, themes, support of documentation etc on a regular basis.
Cross Site Scripting (XSS Vulnerability)
By the name cross site, we can come to know that the user is been redirected to other site which is not secure & in other way there might be a form in which is to be filled by the user , it seems to the user that he is filling the credentials required in the form is been maintained securely and that information is been held over by that particular site itself , But there may be a chance where an hacker plans somehow through some actions , the credentials of the user may be some how redirected to other site without his knowledge itself.
- Solution to fix the issue: – Use Proper data validation across WordPress sites, Plugin to prevent XSS Vulnerability.
Malware
A form of virus with respect to code is injected into WordPress through any infected theme, outdated plugin or script in the form of code which can extract data from your site as well as insert malicious content which might go unnoticed and finally cause the destruction of the entire website.
- Solution to fix the issue: – Each of these types of malware can be easily identified and cleaned up either by manually removing the malicious file, installing a fresh version of WordPress or by restoring your WordPress site from a previous, non-infected backup.
Conclusion
We hope our article will help you to know the elements that have to be taken care to secure your WordPress Websites. Follow these tips and keep update yourself with the latest security issues.
