In the digital age, your website is not just a virtual storefront; it is a critical business asset that contains valuable data and represents your brand 24 hours a day. However, with more than 40% of the web built on WordPress, this platform has become a prime target for cybercriminals. Every day more than 90,000 attacks are detected against WordPress sites worldwide, and unfortunately, many businesses discover too late that their security has been compromised.
At Puentevia we understand that web security is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity. That is why we have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you identify and mitigate the most common threats your WordPress site faces.
Why do hackers attack WordPress sites?
Before addressing solutions, it is important to understand the motivations behind the attacks:
- Data theft: From customer information to banking credentials.
- Malware injection: To distribute malicious software to your visitors.
- SEO spam: Insertion of hidden links to manipulate search rankings.
- Redirects: Diverting traffic to fraudulent sites.
- DDoS attacks: Overloading the server to interrupt the service.
- Cryptojacking: Use of your server resources to mine cryptocurrencies.
Contrary to popular belief, the size of your business does not make you immune: 43% of cyber-attacks target small and medium-sized companies, mainly because they tend to have less robust security measures.
The 7 most common WordPress threats and how to combat them
Attempts at brute force
The problem: Attackers use automated programs that try thousands of password combinations per minute to access your admin panel.
Effective solutions:
- Implements two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security beyond the password.
- Limits login attempts: Blocks IPs after several unsuccessful attempts.
- Change the admin access URL: Modify the standard path (/wp-admin/) to a custom one.
- Use strong passwords: Minimum 12 characters with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.
// Ejemplo: Código para cambiar la URL de login (para añadir en functions.php)
function custom_login_url() {
return home_url('/mi-acceso-secreto/');
}
add_filter('login_url', 'custom_login_url', 10, 0);2. Vulnerabilities in outdated plugins and themes
The problem: 52% of vulnerabilities in WordPress come from outdated or poorly coded plugins. Every outdated component is a potential doorway for attackers.
Effective solutions:
- Keep everything up to date: WordPress, themes and plugins should be updated regularly.
- Audit your plugins: Remove the ones you don’t use and replace the abandoned ones.
- Do your research before installing: Check reputation, update frequency and support.
- Consider premium solutions: They often offer better code and more frequent updates.
3. SQL Injection
The problem: Attackers insert malicious code in forms or URLs to manipulate your database, being able to extract sensitive information or modify content.
Effective solutions:
- Use prepared queries: Separate the data from the SQL query structure.
- Implement data validation: Verify all user inputs before processing them.
- Install WAF (Web Application Firewall): Filter malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
- Limit database privileges: Use accounts with minimum necessary permissions.
4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
The problem: Injection of malicious scripts that run in your visitors’ browser, allowing them to steal session cookies, redirect to fraudulent sites or manipulate the content they see.
Effective solutions:
- Sanitizes all user entries: Removes or encodes special characters.
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP): Control which resources can be loaded on your site.
- Uses output escaping: Especially when displaying user-supplied data.
// Ejemplo: Sanitización y escape correcto en WordPress
$user_input = sanitize_text_field($_POST['user_input']);
echo esc_html($user_input);5. Hosting vulnerabilities
The problem: An inadequately secured shared server can allow attacks on other sites to affect your site, or fail to implement critical system-level patches.
Effective solutions:
- Choose specialized WordPress hosting: With specific security measures.
- Implements SSL/TLS: Mandatory encryption for all communications.
- Configure the firewall correctly at the server level: Block suspicious traffic.
- Isolate resources: Consider VPS or hosting with truly separate accounts.
6. Malware and backdoors
The problem: Hidden malicious code that allows persistent access to your site even after cleaning up apparent infections. It often hides in files with names similar to legitimate WordPress files.
Effective solutions:
- Regular security scans: Uses specialized tools to detect suspicious code.
- File integrity monitoring: Detects unauthorized changes to your installation.
- Implements restrictive file permissions: Limits who can modify which files.
- Keep external backup copies: To restore in case of compromise.
7. SEO Hijacking
The problem: Attackers modify your content to include hidden spam links or redirects, damaging your reputation with Google and stealing traffic.
Effective solutions:
- Regularly monitor your positioning: Detect sudden drops.
- Set up Google Search Console alerts: For problem notifications.
- Periodically review the source code: Look for hidden content using CSS.
- Implement SEO monitoring tools: To detect unauthorized changes.
Comprehensive WordPress security plan for your business
Based on our experience protecting hundreds of WordPress sites, we recommend this layered approach:
Level 1: Basic measures (immediate implementation)
- Strong and unique passwords for all users
- Two-factor authentication
- Automatic security updates
- Basic security plugin
- Automated backups with staggered retention
Level 2: Advanced protection (short term implementation)
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Changing the admin access URL
- Blocking of suspicious IPs
- Regular malware scans
- File integrity monitoring
- Hardening of the .htaccess file
# Ejemplo: Configuración básica de seguridad para .htaccess
# Proteger wp-config.php
<files wp-config.php>
order allow,deny
deny from all
</files>
# Deshabilitar navegación de directorios
Options -Indexes
# Proteger contra ataques de inclusión de archivos
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (../)+ [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} ^.*(localhost|loopback|127\.0\.0\.1).*$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} ^.*(\.\.|\.\./|file:|file%3A|%3C|%3E|%22|%27|%3C%3E|%3Cscript).*$ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} ^.*(\[|\]|\(|\)|<|>|'|%0A|%0D|%22|%27|%28|%29|%3C|%3E|%00).*$ [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F]
</IfModule>Level 3: Enterprise security (comprehensive implementation)
- Periodic security audits
- Scheduled penetration tests
- Incident response plan
- Segmentation of critical systems
- Security training for administrators
- Role-based access policies
How to recover from an attack: Action plan
If you suspect that your site has been compromised, follow these steps:
- Isolates the site: Temporarily activates a maintenance page and disconnects critical systems.
- Identify the attack vector: Review logs and recent changes.
- Cleans the infection: Removes malicious files and injected code.
- Restore from a clean copy: Use the last uninfected backup.
- Update and patchUPTR the vulnerability: Make sure to fix the original problem.
- Change all credentials: WordPress, FTP, database, hosting, etc.
- Document the incident: To learn and improve your defenses.
Conclusion: Safety as a continuous process
WordPress security is not a destination, but a continuous journey. Attackers are constantly evolving their techniques, so your protection strategy must be updated regularly. At Puentevia we have developed a proactive approach that combines constant monitoring, controlled updates and rapid response to incidents.
Remember: the cost of implementing adequate security is always less than the cost of recovering from a successful attack, which can include data loss, reputational damage and lost sales.
Are you ready to protect your digital business? Contact us for a free WordPress security assessment and find out how we can help you implement a comprehensive protection strategy tailored to your specific needs.
