Is WordPress safe? (And how to avoid security issues)

At its core, WordPress software is very secure. The platform itself follows strict security practices and is updated regularly.

Most WordPress security issues do not stem from WordPress itself, but from the way a site is set up and maintained.

In this guide, we explain how secure WordPress is, where the real risks come from, and what steps you can take to reduce the chance of being hacked.

Is WordPress a safe option for websites?

Yes – WordPress is secure by design. Vulnerabilities in the WordPress core are relatively rare and are usually fixed quickly when discovered. Security issues occur within the WordPress ecosystem, not within the core platform itself.

The most successful attacks exploit:

• Outdated or abandoned plugins and themes.
• Weak or reused passwords.
• Missing software updates.
• Poorly configured or low quality hosting environments.

Why do people think WordPress is not secure?

People think WordPress isn’t secure because it’s widely used, often targeted, and transparent about vulnerabilities – not because the core software is weak.

Here’s what contributes to this WordPress myth:

• WordPress powers over 43% of all websites, so it simply shows up in security reports and browser warnings more often than other platforms.

• Problems caused by plugins, themes, or hosting are usually treated as WordPress problems, even though they are not part of the WordPress core. Patchstack, WordPress’s vulnerability database, reported of the 5,948 vulnerabilities, almost 97% were found in WordPress plugins, while the core WordPress software had only 13 vulnerabilities in 2024.
• Security companies such as Wordfence run bug bounty programs and publicly publish vulnerabilities. That improves WordPress security, but also makes these issues easier to spot.

How secure and reliable is the WordPress core?

The core WordPress software is secure and actively maintained. Security issues in the core platform are relatively rare and are usually resolved quickly.

WordPress core security is supported by:

• A dedicated security team that reviews vulnerability reports and coordinates responsible disclosures.
• Open source code transparency that helps thousands of contributors identify and solve problems.
• Regular security updates, including automatic minor security releases.
• Built-in password strength tools that encourage strong credentials.

Most large-scale WordPress security issues do not originate in the core software, but in plugins, themes, or poor site management.

How does WordPress.com further strengthen security?

The WordPress core provides a secure foundation. But in practice, many security risks stem from the way a site is hosted and managed.

WordPress.com reduces these risks by handling the most important layers of security for you.

It includes:

• Built-in two-factor authentication to protect accounts from unauthorized logins.
• Automatic WordPress core updates.
• Free SSL encryption on all sites.
• Daily security scans for plugins, themes and malware.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF), DDoS mitigation and brute force protection.
• Regular platform backups, with real-time backups on Business and above.
• Activity tracking to monitor site changes.
• A dedicated security team backed by a public bug bounty program.

How to Keep Your WordPress Website Secure

To keep your WordPress site secure, you need to reduce avoidable risks – the kind that come from outdated software, weak access controls, and hosting environments without built-in security measures.

Let’s look at the most important steps you can follow.

1. Use strong, unique passwords for each account

Make one unique, complex password for each user account. Avoid easily guessed formats such as ‘password123’, which are susceptible to brute force hacking attacks.

Use WordPress.com’s built-in password generator to create strong login credentials and change your password immediately if you receive a suspicious activity alert.

2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Enable two-factor authentication to add a second verification step to your login.

With 2FA enabled, logging in requires your password plus a one-time code from an authenticator app or SMS.

Even if someone obtains your password, he or she will not be able to access your account without it.

WordPress.com includes built-in two-step verification. On self-hosted WordPress sites, you can enable 2FA through a security plugin.

3. Control and restrict user access

Control who has access to your site and regularly review user roles.

Give each user their own account with the correct role. Avoid shared logins and limit administrative access to trusted users.

Go at least once a month Users → All users and check:

• Are there accounts you don’t recognize?
• Does anyone have administrative access that doesn’t need it?
• Are there any old contributors or contractors that should be removed?
• Are remote workers properly marked?

Remove unused accounts or downgrade permissions if full access is not required.

4. 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 any unknown logins, new administrators, or unexpected changes to the plugin or settings, reset passwords immediately and investigate.

5. Keep WordPress, themes and plugins up to date

Update your WordPress core, themes and plugins as new versions are released.

It is essential because outdated software is one of the most common causes of WordPress security issues.

Only install plugins and themes from reputable sources such as the WordPress.com plugin directory, prioritize those that are actively maintained, and remove anything you don’t use. Inactive plugins and themes can still pose risks.

If you use WordPress.com, core updates are handled automatically and the Business plan and higher include managed plugin updates.

Many core features are also built into WordPress.com, so you don’t have to install as many plugins, lowering your overall security risk.

On self-hosted WordPress sites, you are responsible for monitoring and applying updates.

6. Enable SSL certificates

Make sure your site uses HTTPS to encrypt data between your website and your visitors.

An SSL certificate protects sensitive information such as login credentials and form submissions. Without this, browsers may label your site as ‘Not safe”, which can damage trust and expose user data.

You can verify that SSL is active by checking for https:// and a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar:

All sites hosted on WordPress.com include a free SSL certificate by default. On self-hosted WordPress sites, SSL must be configured through your hosting provider.

7. Ensure reliable backups

Make sure your site is backed up regularly so that you can restore it if something breaks or your site is compromised.

Backups allow you to revert to a clean version after a failed update, malware infection, or accidental change.

Look for solutions that offer automated backups and easy restore options, for example the JetPack plugin.

On WordPress.com, sites are backed up at the platform level, and Business and Commerce plans include real-time backups with one-click restore through Jetpack VaultPress Backup.

For self-hosted WordPress sites, you will need to install a backup plugin to achieve the same level of protection.

8. Choose secure web hosting

Choose a trusted WordPress hosting provider with robust security features to ensure a safe environment for your website.

When choosing a web hosting provider, consider:

• Firewalls to block suspicious traffic.
• Monitor suspicious activity to protect against unwanted login attempts, brute force attacks and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
• Daily scans of sites for dangerous plugins, themes, malware and other vulnerabilities.
• Managed updates that automatically apply the latest patches for WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
• An expert security team that monitors threats and resolves issues as they arise.

On WordPress.com, these layers are built into the platform, with additional security features powered by Jetpack, including activity tracking, malware scanning, and real-time backups for eligible plans.

7. Stay informed

New threats are emerging all the time, so we encourage you to stay up to date on WordPress and website security issues.

You don’t have to become a web security expert. But you can follow the latest WordPress security news and check for issues that might impact your site’s security.

We recommend these sources for reliable WordPress security news:

Ensure the security of your website with WordPress.com

Out-of-the-box and at its core, WordPress is very secure. Vulnerabilities typically stem from outdated plugins and themes, insecure hosting, or poor security practices.

According to patch stack, “Vulnerability management and mitigation (in combination with 2FA and session management) remain the most important proactive security measures.”

The easiest way to stay on top of these security habits is to use a hosting provider that handles them for you.

WordPress.com includes built-in protections such as automatic core updates, free SSL, firewalls, malware scans, activity monitoring, and backups, reducing the number of security tools you need to manage yourself.