WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular website platforms in the world. Unfortunately, that popularity also makes it one of the biggest targets for cybercriminals.
Recent research has revealed a worrying trend: the majority of WordPress websites are running outdated software, plugins, or PHP versions, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and data breaches.
Launching a website is only half the battle. The real challenge is maintaining it.
According to research from HackerNoon, many websites are effectively abandoned after they go live, receiving little to no ongoing maintenance. Updates are often delayed because site owners fear that new versions could break existing functionality, particularly if older plugins are involved.
This creates a dangerous cycle:
Cybersecurity researchers recently found that around 86% of WordPress sites are not running the latest version of the platform, with many also relying on unsupported PHP versions.
Plugins are one of WordPress’ biggest strengths, but they can also be one of its greatest weaknesses.
Research into the WordPress plugin repository found that more than half of all plugins haven’t been updated in over two years, with tens of thousands potentially considered abandoned.
While some simple plugins may continue to work perfectly fine without regular updates, others can become serious security risks if vulnerabilities are discovered and never patched.
Even popular plugins aren’t immune. Over the past year, several widely used WordPress plugins have been affected by critical vulnerabilities, putting tens of thousands of websites at risk of takeover, malware infections, and data theft.
Cybercriminals increasingly use automated tools that continuously scan the internet for outdated websites and known vulnerabilities.
The process is surprisingly simple:
In many cases, website owners don’t realise they’ve been compromised until their website starts redirecting visitors, displaying spam content, or disappearing from search results altogether.
Keeping a WordPress website secure doesn’t need to be complicated. A few simple maintenance tasks can dramatically reduce your risk:
Install core updates as soon as they’re available, particularly security releases.
Remove plugins you no longer use and replace any that haven’t been updated for an extended period.
Running unsupported PHP versions can expose your website to known vulnerabilities.
A recent backup can significantly reduce the impact of a cyberattack or website failure.
Regular security scans and maintenance checks can help identify issues before attackers do.
A website isn’t a one-time project that can simply be launched and forgotten. Like any business system, it requires regular maintenance to remain secure, reliable, and performant.
An outdated website doesn’t just increase your security risk – it can also lead to poor performance, compatibility issues, and potential downtime that impacts your customers and reputation.
If your WordPress website hasn’t been updated in months, now may be the time to review its health and ensure you’re not leaving the door open to cybercriminals.
We hope you’ve liked this blog. Stay tuned for more blogs like this. Stay safe!
