Is WordPress Secure? (And How to Prevent Security Issues)

As a popular content management system (CMS), WordPress has been a target for hackers and cybercriminals due to its widespread use. However, despite being a widely used platform, WordPress itself is designed with security in mind, following strong security practices and regularly updated to patch vulnerabilities. In this guide, we'll delve into the security aspects of WordPress, debunk common misconceptions about its security, and provide actionable steps to help you protect your website from potential threats.

At its core, WordPress software is highly secure. The platform itself follows strong security practices and is regularly updated. Most WordPress security issues don’t come from WordPress itself — but from how a site is set up and maintained. In this guide, we’ll explain how secure WordPress is, where real risks come from, and what steps you can take to reduce your chances of being hacked.

People think WordPress isn’t secure because it’s widely used, frequently targeted, and transparent about vulnerabilities — not because the core software is weak. Here’s what contributes to this WordPress myth: How secure and reliable is WordPress core? WordPress core software is secure and actively maintained. Security issues in the core platform are relatively rare and typically patched quickly. WordPress core security is supported by various measures, including automatic core updates, free SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, activity monitoring, and backups.

However, most large-scale WordPress security issues do not originate in core software, but in plugins, themes, or poor site management. This highlights the importance of keeping your WordPress website secure by reducing avoidable risk — the kind that comes from outdated software, weak access controls, and hosting environments without built-in security protections.

To keep your WordPress site secure, you need to follow these key steps:

  1. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Create a unique, complex password for each user account. Avoid easily-guessed formats like “password123” which are susceptible to brute force hacking attacks. Use WordPress.com’s built-in password generator to create strong credentials, and change your password immediately if you receive a suspicious activity alert. Turn on two-factor authentication to add a second verification step to your login.
  2. Review and limit user access. Control who has access to your site and review user roles regularly. Give each user their own account with the appropriate role. Avoid shared logins, and limit Administrator access to trusted users only. At least once a month, go to Users → All Users and check: Remove unused accounts or downgrade permissions if full access isn’t required.
  3. Monitor your site’s activity log. Then, check your site’s activity logs regularly to see who logged in, what changed, and when. If you notice unfamiliar logins, new admin users, or unexpected plugin or settings changes, reset passwords immediately and investigate.
  4. Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated. Update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins as soon as new versions are released. It’s essential since outdated software is one of the most common causes of WordPress security issues. Only install plugins and themes from reputable sources like the WordPress.com plugin directory, prioritize those that are actively maintained, and delete anything you’re not using.

Additionally, ensure your website security with WordPress.com by leveraging built-in protections such as automatic core updates, free SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning, activity monitoring, and backups. This reduces the number of security tools you need to manage yourself. By following these steps and staying informed about WordPress security issues, you can help protect your website from potential threats.

New threats emerge all the time, so it's essential to stay up-to-date on WordPress and website security issues. You don’t need to become a web security expert. But you can follow the latest WordPress security news and check for issues that may concern your site’s security. We recommend these sources for reliable WordPress security news:

By taking proactive steps to secure your WordPress website, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your online presence is protected from potential threats.