(Turin, Italy) As experienced WordPress experts, we, the five-person team at Matoma, had the great opportunity to take part in WordCamp Europe 2024 in Turin. This year was marked, among other things, by a critical and always current topic: cybersecurity. The event offered in-depth insights into the current and future challenges of WordPress security. In this post we share our findings and the most important trends for 2024.
State of WordPress Security in 2024
The WordPress ecosystem, now on the market for 20 years, continues to show a high number of successful hacking incidents despite the variety of security solutions available. A 2023 study by Snicco WeWatchYourWebsite reveals that up to 14% of malware is capable of tampering with popular security plugins such as WordFence. These findings confirm the need for a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive security measures.
New security strategies and technologies
In response to the increasing threat, developers and hosting providers are developing new generations of security solutions. Web hosting providers integrate proactive vulnerability monitoring directly into their hosting panels. The big players in the community recognize the limitations of traditional security plugins and are increasingly relying on a multi-layered security approach.
WordPress vulnerability statistics 2023
Last year, 5,948 new vulnerabilities were added to one of the largest databases in this environment, an increase of 24% compared to the previous year. This shows that attention to security is increasing, which is reflected in the higher number of reported vulnerabilities. Plugins remain the biggest vulnerability, accounting for 97% of all reported issues.
Most common security vulnerabilities and how to combat them
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) was the predominant threat in 2023, followed by CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) and Broken Access Control. These vulnerabilities highlight the need for continued attention and adaptation of security strategies.
The future of WordPress security
An increase in regulatory requirements is expected in 2024, such as the introduction of the Cyber Resilience Act in Europe and similar legislative initiatives in the USA. These developments require open source developers to take higher levels of security measures, which will ultimately translate into improved security standards.
Conclusion:
Participation in WordCamp Europe 2024 not only confirmed our expertise, but also strengthened our ability to offer our customers secure and future-proof WordPress solutions. We are more ready than ever to take on the challenges of cybersecurity and develop forward-looking solutions that ensure the protection and success of our customers’ websites. With Matoma’s security tools, we provide a strong answer to the current challenges.
Why is WordPress security so important?
WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems worldwide, making it a popular target for hackers. A good security strategy not only protects your website, but also your users’ sensitive data.
What are the most common security threats to WordPress sites?
The most common threats are cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injections, brute force attacks, and vulnerabilities in plugins and themes that allow attackers to inject malicious code or gain control of the website.
What should I do if my WordPress website was hacked?
Immediately create a full backup of your site, identify and remove the malicious code, restore your site from a clean backup, change any passwords, and contact a security expert if necessary.
How do WordPress plugins keep my website secure?
Many security plugins offer features such as malware scanning, firewall protection, security monitoring, and proactive defenses against new threats. They also help patch vulnerabilities and often offer automated updates.
Are paid security solutions better than free ones?
Paid security solutions typically offer more extensive security features and better support. However, that doesn’t mean free alternatives aren’t effective. The decision should be made based on your website’s specific security needs.
How often should I check my WordPress website for security vulnerabilities?
It is advisable to carry out security checks regularly, at least once a month. Many security plugins offer automated scanning that can help continually identify potential security risks.
Why should I rely on WordPress when there are so many people who want to hack it? Shouldn't I use another CMS?
• Extensive community support: WordPress has a huge global community of developers, designers, and security experts who continually work to keep the platform secure and up to date. This community also ensures that security vulnerabilities are quickly identified and fixed. • Flexible extensibility: WordPress offers an almost unlimited number of plugins and themes that make it possible to implement almost any desired functionality or design idea. This flexibility makes it an extremely versatile tool for websites of all sizes and types. • Regular Updates: The WordPress Core team regularly releases updates that not only introduce new features but also contain security patches. This proactive stance helps to quickly address known security risks. • Strong security plugins: There are a variety of high-quality security plugins designed specifically for WordPress. These plugins offer features like firewalls, malware scanning, security hardening, and more to protect your website. • Ease of Use: WordPress is known for its ease of use. It allows non-technical users to effectively manage content, making it a popular choice for individual bloggers, small businesses, and even large corporations. • SEO Benefits: WordPress is SEO friendly by design. Plugins like Yoast SEO allow users to easily optimize their content for better search engine visibility.
