In Brief
WordPress software is actively maintained and secure when properly configured
96% of security vulnerabilities come from plugins and themes, not WordPress
Weak passwords cause 81% of data breaches on WordPress sites
Regular updates and strong passwords prevent most attacks
UK businesses must consider GDPR when setting up WordPress security
You’ve heard the horror stories. A business website hacked, customer data stolen, and thousands of pounds spent on fixing it.
If you’re running a small business, these stories might make you wonder whether WordPress is safe enough for your website.
The concerns are understandable. WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, which makes it an attractive target for hackers.
But does this popularity mean your business site is at risk?
The reality is more reassuring than the headlines suggest. This article explains the actual security risks with WordPress, where problems really come from, and what you can do to protect your business.
By the end, you’ll know how to run a secure WordPress site without needing technical expertise.
Table of Contents
The Short Answer: Yes, WordPress Can Be Very Secure
WordPress itself is well-built software with a dedicated security team that releases regular patches and updates.
The core code is audited by thousands of developers worldwide, and major security issues are fixed quickly.
The proof is in who uses it.
WordPress powers websites for major newspapers, government departments, universities, and international businesses.
Time Magazine, Sony Music, TechCrunch, and The Walt Disney Company all run on WordPress. These organisations wouldn’t trust WordPress if it posed significant security risks.
So why do we hear about WordPress sites being hacked? Because security problems rarely come from the WordPress software itself.
Where WordPress Security Problems Actually Come From
Research from security firm Patchstack shows that 96% of WordPress vulnerabilities in 2024 came from plugins and themes, not the core WordPress software.
Only 7 vulnerabilities were found in WordPress core that year, and none were serious enough to pose a real threat.
96% of the vulnerabilities were uncovered in plugins, and 4% were found in themes. Only seven vulnerabilities were uncovered in WordPress core itself, but none of those were significant enough to pose a widespread threat.
The real security risks come from:
Outdated plugins: Many site owners install plugins and forget about them. When developers release security patches, unupdated plugins become easy targets. Nearly 8,000 new plugin vulnerabilities were reported during 2024 alone.
Weak passwords: Security data shows that 81% of WordPress data breaches stem from weak or stolen passwords. Using “password123” or your business name makes it simple for automated attacks to break in.
Poor hosting choices: Cheap hosting without proper security features leaves your site exposed. Some budget providers don’t include SSL certificates or regular backups.
Abandoned software: Plugins that no longer receive updates from their developers create security holes that never get fixed.
Common WordPress Security Risks
Understanding the specific threats helps you protect against them. Here’s what small business owners should watch for.
Plugin Vulnerabilities
Plugins add functionality to WordPress, but they also add risk.
Each plugin you install is additional code that could contain security flaws. The more plugins you use, the larger your potential attack surface becomes.
Security researchers at Patchstack found that 43% of WordPress vulnerabilities could be exploited without the attacker needing any login credentials. Automated bots scan thousands of sites looking for specific vulnerable plugins and attack them without human involvement.
Examples from 2024 show the scale of the problem.
A vulnerability in the Really Simple Security plugin affected over 4 million WordPress sites. The LiteSpeed Cache plugin, installed on 5 million sites, contained a flaw that allowed hackers to gain administrator access.
The solution isn’t to avoid plugins entirely. Instead, choose WordPress plugins carefully, keep them updated, and remove any you’re not actively using.
How to Update WordPress Plugins Safely
Weak Passwords and Login Security
Brute force attacks are common against WordPress sites. Attackers use automated tools to try thousands of password combinations until they find one that works.
The security company Wordfence blocks over 330 million malicious login attempts every single day.
If your password is short, uses dictionary words, or is something obvious like your company name, these attacks will eventually succeed.
Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) makes access much harder for attackers, even if they manage to steal your password.
Small businesses often make things worse by sharing login credentials between team members or using the same password across multiple sites. Each of these habits increases your risk.
How to Keep Your WordPress Site Secure
Good news: protecting your WordPress site doesn’t require technical expertise. Most security measures are straightforward and take minutes to implement.
Keep Everything Updated
This is the single most effective security measure you can take.
When WordPress or plugin developers discover security flaws, they release updates to fix them. Running outdated software is like leaving your shop door unlocked overnight.
WordPress now offers automatic updates for minor releases, which include security patches. You can enable automatic updates for plugins too, though some site owners prefer to update manually after checking that nothing breaks.
Make a habit of logging into your WordPress dashboard weekly to check for updates.
Many hosting providers and maintenance services handle this for you if you’d rather not think about it.
How to Update WordPress Safely: Step-by-Step Guide
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Your admin password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden can generate and store strong passwords for you.
Never use “admin” as your username. This is the first username attackers try, so changing it immediately removes a common attack angle.
Two-factor authentication adds a second verification step when logging in.
Even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your site without also having your phone. Plugins like WP 2FA make setup simple, and apps like Google Authenticator or Authy work well for the second factor.
How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication in WordPress
Choose Secure Hosting
Your hosting provider forms the foundation of your WordPress security.
Look for hosts that offer:
- SSL certificates included at no extra cost
- Automatic daily backups with easy restoration
- Server-level firewalls and malware scanning
- UK-based servers
- 24/7 support in case something goes wrong
Managed WordPress hosting costs more than basic shared hosting but includes security features and automatic updates. For many small businesses, the peace of mind is worth the extra cost.
What Is WordPress Hosting? A Plain English Guide
Install a Security Plugin
A good security plugin adds protection that WordPress doesn’t include by default. Wordfence is a popular free option that provides:
- A firewall to block malicious traffic before it reaches your site
- Malware scanning to detect infections
- Login security features including 2FA
- Real-time alerts when something suspicious happens
Configure your security plugin properly after installation. A plugin that’s installed but not set up correctly won’t fully protect you.
Most security plugins include setup wizards that guide you through the important settings.
WordPress Security and GDPR Compliance
If your WordPress site collects any personal data from visitors, you have legal obligations under UK GDPR. This includes contact forms, newsletter signups, customer accounts, and payment information.
GDPR requires you to implement appropriate technical measures to protect personal data. For WordPress sites, this means three things:
SSL encryption: Your site must use HTTPS (the padlock icon in browsers). This encrypts data travelling between your visitors and your server. Most hosting providers include SSL certificates, and WordPress makes enabling HTTPS straightforward.
Secure data storage: Customer information must be stored securely. Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated. Use strong passwords. Choose a hosting provider with good security practices.
Breach notification: If your site is hacked and customer data is exposed, you must notify the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours. This makes preventing breaches through proper security even more important.
Failing to protect customer data can result in significant fines. The ICO can issue penalties up to £17.5 million or 4% of annual turnover for serious GDPR breaches. For small businesses, even smaller fines can be devastating.
When to Get Professional Help
Managing WordPress security yourself is possible, but it takes time and attention. Consider outside help if:
- You don’t have time to check for updates weekly
- Your site handles sensitive customer data or payments
- You’ve been hacked before and want to prevent repeat incidents
- Security concerns are distracting you from running your business
Professional WordPress maintenance typically costs £50-150 per month and includes regular updates, security monitoring, backups, and support when problems occur.
Compare this to average hack recovery costs of £3,000-25,000 and the investment makes sense.
Many UK-based WordPress specialists offer security audits that identify vulnerabilities in your current setup. This one-off assessment can highlight problems before hackers find them.
The Bottom Line
WordPress is as secure as you make it.
The platform itself is well-maintained and trustworthy, but security depends on how you set up and maintain your site. Most successful attacks target outdated plugins, weak passwords, or poor hosting rather than flaws in WordPress itself.
Good housekeeping and basic security measures prevent the vast majority of attacks.
Keep everything updated, use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, choose decent hosting, and install a security plugin. These steps take minimal time and cost little or nothing.
If security maintenance feels like too much to handle alongside running your business, professional help is available and affordable.
Don’t let security fears stop you from using WordPress. With proper precautions, it’s a safe and reliable platform for UK small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
WordPress isn’t inherently less secure than alternatives like Wix or Squarespace. Its popularity makes it a bigger target, but the core software is actively maintained and quickly patched when issues arise. Most WordPress security problems come from plugins, themes, and user behaviour rather than the platform itself.
Check for updates at least weekly. WordPress core, plugins, and themes all release updates that may include security patches. Many site owners enable automatic updates for minor WordPress releases and security patches. If you can’t commit to weekly checks, consider a maintenance service or managed hosting that handles updates for you.
Related: 5 Warning Signs That Your WordPress Site Needs Maintenance
Security plugins and hosting security work together rather than replacing each other. Your hosting provider protects the server, while security plugins protect your WordPress installation specifically. A plugin like Wordfence adds firewall rules, malware scanning, and login protection that most hosting security doesn’t cover. Using both provides better protection than either alone.
Free plugins from the official WordPress.org repository go through a review process before being listed. However, “free” doesn’t guarantee security. Check when the plugin was last updated, read reviews, and look at how many active installations it has. Avoid plugins that haven’t been updated in over a year, as abandoned plugins don’t receive security patches.
Yes, absolutely. SSL encrypts data between your visitors and your website, displaying the padlock icon in browsers. Without SSL, browsers may warn visitors that your site is “not secure,” which damages trust and hurts your search rankings. UK GDPR also requires encryption when collecting personal data. Most hosting providers include free SSL certificates.
Basic security can be free. Strong passwords, regular updates, and the free version of Wordfence provide solid protection at no cost. Paid security plugins with advanced features cost £50-150 per year. Professional maintenance including security monitoring runs £50-150 per month. Compare these costs to hack recovery expenses of thousands of pounds to see the value.
Yes, and small businesses are actually targeted frequently. Attackers use automated tools that scan millions of websites for vulnerabilities, regardless of size. They’re not specifically choosing your site; they’re looking for easy targets. Small businesses often have weaker security than large companies, making them attractive to hackers looking for low-effort opportunities.