The most rampant WordPress security problems happen after your website is compromised. Hackers aim at gaining access to WordPress websites as administrators or from WordPress dashboards. Alternatively, they can corrupt your site by inserting malicious files and scripts.
But you can enhance the safety of your WordPress site by setting up on as it offers few users a remote login portal using a tough firewall and IP-blocking to block unauthorized users. In the meantime, let’s look at the most popular WordPress security threats and their solutions;
Brute Force Attacks
Brute force attacks are widespread WordPress security problems. It’s easy as it employs a trial and error approach. In this case, the hacker guesses usernames and passwords multiple times until they get a successful combination. This is the easiest way of gaining access to a website. Generally, WordPress devs have no set limit of login attempts.
Thus, bots can apply the brute force attacks approach to attack your login page. Although brute force attacks do not always guarantee success, it still causes a lot of damage to your website’s server. For instance, it may overload the system, slowing down your website. Keep in mind that your account may be suspended if your website is subjected to a brute force attack, especially if you are using a shared hosting plan because of system overloads.
Malware
Malware refers to malicious software. Hackers use this code to access a website unauthorized, after which they steal sensitive information. When a WordPress website is hacked, malware is inserted into your files, thereby corrupting essential information. There are various categories of malware infections, but WordPress is not susceptible to all. The most prevalent WordPress malware infections include Pharma hacks, backdoors, drive-by downloads, and malicious redirects.
SQL Injections
A WordPress site utilizes MySQL database to run, and whenever an attacker gets their way to your WordPress website database, SQL injections happen. Attackers use SQL injection to access your site at an admin level gaining full access to your site. SQL injection also enables hackers to add new information to your WordPress databases, such as spam and malicious information.
File inclusion exploits
Other than attempting to use several usernames and passwords, attackers can also target your website’s PHP code. PHP refers to the code running WordPress sites along with themes and plugins. File inclusion exploits give attackers access to the wp-config PHP file, which is among the crucial files in the installation of WordPress.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Around 84% of internet security vulnerabilities are referred to as Cross-Site Scripting/ XSS attacks. XSS attacks are prevalent WordPress plugin vulnerabilities. With this type of threat, an attacker comes up with a strategy to compel a user to load website pages using insecure JavaScript scripts. The scripts load without your knowledge and steal essential data from your browser. This malware can be detected and eliminated by deleting the malicious file manually or restoring a previous non-infected WordPress site backup. Also, you can install a new WordPress.
How to Prevent Combat WordPress Security Threats
You can prevent Brute Force attacks by reducing your website’s login attempts. This way, hackers will reach the maximum limit allowed. Essentially, you can avoid any form of malware by implementing other prevention strategies such as using Captcha, using 2-factor authentication where the user is expected to provide a code sent to them via message or email. Also, you can monitor server logs, use strong passwords or use unique login URLs, and so on.