As an interactive agency, Evostudio, we have prepared an article devoted to the threats that await owners of websites based on the WordPress CMS.
The material below will provide the necessary knowledge about the most common threats for website owners. Our goal is to increase security awareness and provide practical tips to help protect websites against attacks and loss of valuable data.
Introduction
In today’s digital world, websites are exposed to a variety of threats that can negatively impact their security, data confidentiality and company reputation.
Unfortunately, no website is completely immune to attacks, which is why it is so important for website owners to be aware of potential threats and take appropriate actions to protect their websites.
We focus on identifying and discussing the most important threats that may affect WordPress-based websites. We present various types of attacks, potential vulnerabilities and methods used by cybercriminals to violate the security of websites. Our goal is to provide practical knowledge that will allow you to more effectively protect your website against threats.
The most important cyber threat statistics
Before moving on to a detailed discussion of threats, it is worth taking a look at a few statistics that show the scale of the problem and the importance of appropriate website protection.
The number of attacks on WordPress sites has increased significantly over the last few years. Moreover, these attacks are becoming more and more advanced and are aimed at deliberately exploiting system vulnerabilities. There is also a high risk of losing customer data and information in the event of a successful attack.
One of the main reasons for this is the lack of software updates. Outdated plugins, themes, and the WordPress engine itself are vulnerable to attacks. Additionally, weak administrative passwords, unaware users, and lack of appropriate security measures make WordPress sites an easy target for hackers.
Current statistics from 2025:
39,1%
Total 39.1% all CMS applications were outdated at the time of infection.
49,21%
At 49.21% At least one backdoor was detected on infected websites.
2,14%
2,14% infected sites had at least one malicious cron job that installed various types of malware (backdoor).
38,3%
38.3% of all infected databases contained spam in the form of hidden links related to illegal content.
5,06%
5,06% infected sites had some form of phishing content at the time of infection.
4,18%
Fake plugins are the new trend – at 4.18% infected sites, at least one rogue plugin was detected during remediation.
13,97%
13,97% infected sites had at least one vulnerable plugin or theme at the time of remediation.
The data comes from the security report created by Sucuri – LINK.
See also other posts on this topic!
Elements affecting attack susceptibility
Outdated software plugins, themes, WordPress
One of the main threats to WordPress websites is using outdated software such as:
Plugins
Motives
WordPress engine
Outdated versions of software often have known vulnerabilities that can be used by malicious actors to attack a WordPress-based website. It’s important to regularly update all components of your website to ensure you have access to the latest patches and security features.
Źle zabezpieczone hasła administracyjne
Administrative passwords are a key element of website security. If your password is weak, easy to guess, or stolen, bad actors can gain unauthorized access to your admin panel and control your site. It is recommended to use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly to maintain a high level of security.
Uruchomienie zainfekowanych programów/stron www
Another threat to websites is running infected programs or websites on the server. Malware can be transmitted through various channels, such as file uploads, malicious scripts or links. If these infected files or pages are executed, they can infect the entire site, allowing attackers to take control of the site.
Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common types of website attacks. It involves impersonating trusted institutions or people in order to extort confidential information from users. Attackers create fake sites that look like legitimate sites and then try to convince users to provide details such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information. Phishing can seriously damage a website’s security and brand reputation.
Brak zabezpieczeń
Unsecured websites are vulnerable to various types of attacks. The lack of basic security measures, such as an SSL certificate, protection against DDoS attacks or a firewall, makes the website an easy target for dishonest people. It is important to properly secure your website to reduce the risk of attacks and data loss.
What are the ways of hacking websites?
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is one of the most common types of attacks on websites. It involves injecting malicious JavaScript code into pages, which are then executed by the user’s browser. Attackers can use XSS to steal user data, hijack sessions, display false information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
Code injection (SQL injection)
SQL injection attacks involve injecting malicious SQL code into forms or other interactive elements of a website. If a website is not properly secured, an attacker can access the database, modify or steal data, or even take control of the entire system. Code injection is especially dangerous if the site stores sensitive information such as customer or financial data.
Cross-Site Request Forgery
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is an attack in which an attacker exploits a user’s trust to perform unauthorized activities on their account. The attacker sends malicious requests using user privileges that are used on other sites the user is logged in to. As a result, you may be exposed to data loss, changes to settings, or other activities that compromise your privacy and security.
Bruteforce and password attacks (admin)
Bruteforce attacks involve trying to guess a password by repeatedly trying different combinations. Attackers use various tools and scripts that automatically try to guess the password by using a dictionary or generating random combinations. If the admin password is weak or easy to guess, a bruteforce attack can lead to site takeover.
Infected by malware (malicious software)
Infection with malware is a serious threat to websites. Malware is malicious software that can be installed on your website without your knowledge. This can lead to data theft, displaying fake content, redirecting users to unsafe sites, or infecting other visitors.
Extortion information
Phishing is the process by which hackers try to obtain sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information from users. They can do this through fake login pages, fake emails or by impersonating trusted institutions.
Why the above threats are dangerous for your company
The threats described above pose a serious threat to WordPress website owners. Effectively securing your website against these threats is important to avoid the following consequences:
Loss of revenue
A website attack can lead to loss of revenue. If your website is used to sell products or services, interrupting your website or exposing your customers to the risk of data theft can result in a loss of trust and reduced business. Additionally, if a site becomes infected with malware, it can lead to blocking by web browsers, preventing visitors from accessing the site and resulting in loss of potential customers.
Repair costs
Repairing damage caused by an attack on the website may involve additional costs. You will need to hire security specialists to assess and repair your website (and future-proof it, of course). These may be specialized companies or external experts.
Penalties for violating data protection regulations
If your website stores or processes personal data, an attack on its security could lead to a breach of data protection regulations. Depending on local regulations, such as GDPR in the European Union, this may result in financial penalties. Organizations responsible for data protection, such as the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO), may impose penalties for failure to ensure an adequate level of security of personal data.
Loss of reputation and customer trust
Website attacks can seriously impact customer reputation and trust. If your website is hacked, data theft or unauthorized access can negatively impact customer perception of your company. Loss of confidentiality of customers' personal information will result in loss of trust and result in loss of customers. Rebuilding your reputation after such an incident can be difficult and require additional communication efforts.
Operational losses and website interruptions
Attacks on a website may lead to interruptions in its operation, which may affect the normal functioning of the company. If your website is your primary sales or customer communication tool, loss of availability due to an attack could lead to customer loss and operational losses.
Position drop in search results
The hack will also have a negative impact on your position in search results. If a website is hacked or infected with malware, search engines such as Google may respond by lowering its ranking in search results. This means the page will be less visible to users who are searching for related keywords or phrases. It is worth remembering that search engines and other channels (e.g. social media) care about the safety of their users. Not only does the hack impact your organic search engine rankings, but your ad campaigns may also be blocked while they are repaired and re-verified.
How we create websites in evostudio
We are a professional company specializing in creating websites based on WordPress.
Our team consists of qualified programmers, designers and internet marketing specialists who create dynamic, functional and attractive websites, tailored to the individual needs of our clients.
Using the WordPress system gives us the opportunity to create websites with rich content, easy administration and responsive design. In addition, our company constantly follows the latest trends and technologies in the field of website development to provide our clients with innovative solutions and a competitive advantage.
If you need help, please contact our agency
We will help you create a plan and start effective website positioning.
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