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Website Security: Is WordPress Safe?

Wednesday, 11 April, 2012 22:19 Written by Holly Yalove
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WordPress CMS Websites

Do you know what software was used to build your website?  Many business owners don’t, but most prefer a website powered by a Content Management System (CMS).  A CMS website is the type that the average person is able to update and maintain without having to have special techie skills.

The most popular CMS in use on the web today is WordPress.  WordPress is a free open source website software built on PHP and MySQL.  That last tidbit is just in case you happen to be a techie.

Is WordPress Vulnerable To Hacking?

Hackers enjoy searching out and exploiting security holes.  Because WordPress is supported by a vast community of users who quickly report problems, WordPress is actually more secure than others.  But, as with any software, basic security steps need to be followed to avoid getting hacked.

WordPress takes website security very seriously and provides regular updates to address any new security concerns.  The key to avoiding potential security risks is to keep your WordPress installation up to date.  Many website companies like ours train clients how to update their sites and provide webmaster services for clients who prefer to have help.

How Do You Keep WordPress Websites Updated?

In recent years, upgrading your core WordPress software and plugins has been made even easier.  It is a one-click procedure and your website dashboard  provides a visual alert to indicate an update is needed.

If you do not have a webmaster or hosting plan that includes website back-ups, be sure to back-up your website regularly and always make a quick back-up of your website prior to making software updates.

Do you have website security questions?  Share them here and I’ll be happy to answer!

 

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Tags:  cms websites, content management system, website security, wordpress websites
This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 at 10:19 pm and is filed under Web Design, Web Security, Web Strategy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
  • Wendell Anderson

    It is irresponsible to say that ” Because WordPress is supported by a vast community of users who quickly
    report problems, WordPress is actually more secure than others.”, since quick reporting of problems has no direct correlation as to the level of security.

    If there are severe vulnerabilities in WordPress PHP configurations, then all the reporting in the world will not solve these issues. Only Zend Corp, the developers of PHP can address core PHP design/function  problems.

    Please do not make “simple minded” statements about Web Content Management Systems (CMS) or any other Internet/WWW software issues which are too important to be trivialized.

    • http://www.vieodesign.com/ VIEO Design

      I think irresponsible might be a very strong word there Wendell,
       but I see what you’re getting at.  To be more clear I should have
      added “as opposed to commercial close source CMS solutions”.  

      As to a direct correlation between quick error reporting and
      security level: surely you can’t mean that you think slow/no error reporting
      would yield better results?  The security of OSS as compared to commercial
      applications has been researched quite a bit, with different groups weighing in
      on either side.  

      But, most experts agree that OSS is not inherently less
      secure.  The Department of Defense even released a memo to that
      effect (http://www.govexec.com/pdfs/110509j1.pdf). The key is that “good software is good software” regardless of whether it is open source or not.   My point was that one of the benefits of OSS is that you have a lot of eyes helping you make the best
      product possible if you’re willing to let them help.  And the WordPress
      team certainly does.

      True, vulnerabilities in the core language or platform will
      always be there.  There is no getting around that even if you were to
      create your own CMS from the ground up!  But wouldn’t you reather have the
      help of millions of users to help you track down the bugs and squash
      them?  Many hand make light work!

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