If you’ve spent any time in online circles, you’ve probably heard someone confidently declare, “WordPress is easy to hack.”
It’s a phrase that gets thrown around so often it’s practically become folklore – usually by people who aren’t using WordPress, or who had a bad experience with a poorly maintained website five or ten years ago.
But honestly: WordPress itself is not inherently insecure. In fact, it powers over 40% of the entire internet, which is a pretty strong endorsement of its stability, flexibility, and long-term reliability.
So why the persistent myth that WordPress is a security risk? And what can you do to keep your WordPress site safe? Let’s dig into the facts.
Why WordPress Gets Labelled as “Easy to Hack”
There are a few reasons this idea keeps circulating, and none of them are actually about WordPress being weak or poorly built.
1. Popularity attracts attention
When a platform powers millions of websites, it naturally becomes a larger target for automated bots scanning the web for vulnerabilities.
This doesn’t mean WordPress is unsafe – it means neglected WordPress websites are easier for bots to exploit.
2. People misunderstand the real cause of vulnerabilities
Most hacks don’t happen because the WordPress core software is compromised.
They happen because:
- Plugins or themes weren’t updated
- Users were using weak passwords
- Old or abandoned plugins were left installed
- Poor-quality hosting exposed the site
- No security plugin or firewall was in place
When someone says their “WordPress website got hacked,” in many cases, what actually happened was:
“My website hadn’t been updated or secured properly.”
It’s a maintenance issue, not a WordPress issue.
3. Many DIY sites skip essential security steps
People will often say WordPress is insecure – but this is generally only true if they skip:
- Backups
- Updates
- Malware scans
- Strong passwords
- Firewalls
- Good quality hosting
No website platform is safe if it’s not being maintained.
But give WordPress even a minimal level of care, and it becomes a robust, secure, long-lasting platform.
The Myth-Busting Truth: WordPress Is Not the Problem
WordPress core is one of the most scrutinised and actively maintained open-source projects in the world.
It has:
- A dedicated global security team
- Rapid patch releases
- Frequent updates
- Public transparency around vulnerabilities
Most importantly, when issues are identified, they’re fixed quickly, often faster than on closed, proprietary platforms.
So the myth that WordPress is “easy to hack” deserves a more accurate translation:
WordPress gives you complete control, so it’s your responsibility to keep it secure. If you don’t, problems can happen, just like with any website.
And that brings us to the part that really matters…
Security Matters for Every Website – Not Just WordPress
No platform is 100% bulletproof.
Squarespace sites can be hacked.
Shopify stores can be breached.
Wix sites can fall victim to bot attacks.
Every website is connected to the internet, which means every website is at risk.
The difference with WordPress is that you’re in control of the security measures, rather than relying on a closed system. That’s a huge advantage – as long as you know what to do.
With a few simple security practices in place, you can dramatically reduce your risk and keep your site clean, safe, and running smoothly.
Let’s walk through the essentials.
How to Secure Your WordPress Website: The Practical Essentials
These steps don’t require tech expertise — just a little consistency. Think of them as routine housekeeping for your website.
1. Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated
This is the single biggest factor in preventing security problems.
Updates fix bugs, close vulnerabilities, and keep your site protected.
If your site isn’t updated regularly, it becomes far more vulnerable than it needs to be.
Do this often:
- Update WordPress core
- Update all plugins
- Update your theme
- Remove anything you’re not using
2. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Weak passwords are still one of the most common reasons sites get hacked.
Every admin user should have:
- A strong, unique password
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled
Wordfence makes 2FA very easy.
3. Install a reputable security plugin
A good security plugin acts like a firewall for your website.
Wordfence is my top recommendation because it:
- Blocks malicious traffic
- Limits login attempts
- Scans your site for malware
- Alerts you to suspicious activity
- Helps secure your login area
Its default settings are strong enough for most websites.
4. Choose good-quality hosting
Your host plays a huge role in your site’s security.
Look for hosting that includes:
- Firewalls
- Malware scanning
- Backups
- Latest PHP version
- Strong server-level security
Cheap hosting often cuts corners here, which leaves your website more exposed. I use and recommend Siteground.
5. Use SSL
What SSL Actually Is – and Why It Matters for Security
SSL (more accurately TLS, the modern version) is a security protocol that encrypts data as it travels between your website and your visitors.
In simple terms:
➡️ Without SSL:
Information (like login details, form submissions, or payment data) travels in plain text and can potentially be intercepted.
➡️ With SSL/TLS:
That information becomes encrypted and unreadable, making it extremely difficult for anyone to tamper with or snoop on it.
Most people recognise SSL from the https:// at the start of a website address.
That “s” stands for secure.
Even if the padlock icon is no longer as visible in many browsers, SSL is still a fundamental part of website security – and it’s now the expected standard across the entire web.
It also benefits your website by:
- Improving trust with visitors
- Helping meet security and compliance requirements
- Boosting SEO (Google prefers https sites)
Most hosts now include a free SSL certificate through Let’s Encrypt, so there’s really no reason not to have it enabled.
6. Run regular malware scans
Whether through Wordfence or an external tool like Sucuri SiteCheck, running regular scans helps you catch issues early.
Even if everything seems fine, a quick scan can reveal:
- Unexpected file changes
- Unsafe plugins
- Hidden malware
7. Take regular backups
A secure site is one you can restore quickly if something goes wrong.
Good backup practice includes:
- Weekly backups
- Off-site storage (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive)
- A quick restoration method
UpdraftPlus is a simple tool for this. They have a free and a paid version, but the free version is sufficient for most people.
WordPress Security Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated
Most WordPress security problems come from neglect, not from WordPress itself.
When you:
- keep things updated,
- use a security plugin,
- choose good hosting,
- practise safe logins, and
- run regular scans…
… your site becomes extremely difficult for automated attacks to penetrate.
And once you realise how manageable this is, the old “WordPress is easy to hack” criticism starts to fall apart.
A well-maintained WordPress site is just as secure, and often more secure than any other platform.
If you’d prefer not to handle security yourself…
You don’t have to juggle updates, scans, and backups alone.
My Website Care Plan takes care of everything for you:
- Malware scanning
- Security monitoring
- Daily backups
- Software updates
- Uptime checks
- Malware clean if something goes wrong
So you can enjoy the freedom of WordPress without the worry.
If you’d like more details, just drop me a line and I can walk you through it.
Want a checklist to keep you on track?
Before you go, make sure you download my free WordPress Security Checklist – a simple, step-by-step guide you can use to quickly review your site and keep it protected.
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