Yes, WordPress websites can indeed be hacked, primarily due to their immense popularity and common configuration oversights or poor maintenance. Below is a summary of the key reasons and effective protection measures:
🔓 I. Main Reasons WordPress Sites Are Vulnerable to Attacks:
Immense Popularity: As the world’s most widely used CMS (occupying over 64.3% of the market share), WordPress naturally becomes a prime target for hackers, resulting in frequent and massive attack attempts.
Plugin and Theme Vulnerabilities: Third-party plugins and themes are common entry points for security weaknesses. For example:
The TI WooCommerce Wishlist plugin once exposed a critical vulnerability affecting over 100,000 websites;
The Eventin plugin’s high-risk vulnerability allowed attackers to create administrator accounts directly.
Weak Passwords & Inadequate Login Security: Using default usernames (e.g., admin), simple passwords, or failing to limit login attempts leaves sites vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Failure to Update Software: Not updating the WordPress core, plugins, or themes allows known vulnerabilities to be exploited.
Improper Server Configuration: Examples include insufficient protection for XML-RPC and lack of Web Application Firewall (WAF) configuration.
🛡️ II. How to Effectively Protect WordPress Sites:
Core Maintenance:
✔️ Always Keep Updated: Promptly upgrade the WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
✔️ Remove Unused Components: Reduce potential entry points for vulnerabilities.
Strengthen Login Security:
🔑 Use Strong Passwords + Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Avoid weak passwords and add an extra verification layer.
🛑 Restrict Login Attempts: Use plugins to block brute-force attacks.
🔒 Change the Default Login URL: Prevent automated tools from targeting the admin address.
Deploy Protective Tools:
🛡️ Install Security Plugins: Recommended tools include Wordfence (with WAF, real-time scanning, IP blacklisting) or Jetpack Security.
🌐 Configure a Web Application Firewall (WAF): Block malicious traffic and automated scanning attacks.
🔐 Enable HTTPS (SSL Certificate): Encrypt data transmission and enhance trust and SEO.
Regular Security Practices:
💾 Automated Backups: Ensure quick restoration to a secure state.
🕵️ Security Scans & Audits: Use tools like Wordfence to regularly scan for malware and tampering.
✋ Disable High-Risk Features: Turn off XML-RPC when unnecessary.
🚨 III. Critical Response Measures After a Hack:
If compromised, take immediate action:
Restore the site using a clean backup;
Upgrade WordPress to the latest version;
Remove suspicious or outdated plugins/themes;
Deploy a WAF (e.g., Baidu Cloud Protection) to block subsequent attacks.
💎 Conclusion: While WordPress sites face high attack risks, most threats can be prevented through standardized maintenance, security plugin deployment, and strategic protection. Security depends on ongoing management, not one-time configuration.
