WordPress Security: Complete Guide to Hacks, Malware, and Protection

Key Takeaway Summary (TL;DR)

WordPress powers 43% of all websites but faces significant security risks, with approximately 90,000+ websites hacked daily globally. In 2024, 7,966 new vulnerabilities were found in the WordPress ecosystem, primarily in third-party plugins—a 34% increase over 2023. 96% of vulnerabilities were uncovered in plugins, while only seven vulnerabilities were found in WordPress core itself. Regular security monitoring, updates, and proper hardening can prevent most attacks.

WordPress Hacking Statistics: The Reality Check

How Many WordPress Sites Are Hacked Daily?

WordPress faces approximately 22 new vulnerabilities per day, with 7,966 new security vulnerabilities found in the WordPress ecosystem in 2024 according to Patchstack’s 2025 State of WordPress Security report. This represents actual attacks rather than just attempts, affecting real websites across the internet.

How Many Websites Are Hacked Every Day?

Security researchers estimate that 90,000+ websites are compromised daily across all platforms globally. Sucuri alone observed over 500,000 websites that became infected in 2024, though this represents just “the tip of the iceberg” according to their threat research team.

Are 30,000 Websites Hacked Every Day?

The 30,000 figure is actually conservative. Current data from security firms like Sucuri and Wordfence suggests the number is closer to 90,000+ daily compromises when including all attack types: malware infections, defacements, data breaches, and unauthorized access attempts.

Understanding WordPress Vulnerabilities

What Websites Get Hacked the Most?

The most targeted websites include:

1. WordPress sites (due to 43% market share – 95.5% of Sucuri’s detected infections were WordPress)
2. E-commerce platforms (for payment data)
3. Small business websites (weaker security measures)
4. Outdated CMS installations
5. Sites with default login credentials

According to Sucuri’s 2023 Hacked Website Report, WordPress dominated their infection data with 95.5% of all detected infections, despite representing 62.8% of the CMS market share.

How Secure Is a WordPress Site?

WordPress core security is robust when properly maintained. According to Patchstack’s 2025 report, only seven vulnerabilities were uncovered in WordPress core itself in 2024, none significant enough to pose widespread threats. However, security depends heavily on:

• Plugin quality and updates (96% of vulnerabilities according to Patchstack)
• Theme security (4% of vulnerabilities)
• Hosting environment (server-level security)
• User practices (password strength, 2FA)

The platform releases security updates regularly and has a dedicated security team maintaining core security.

What Percentage of Websites Are Unsafe?

According to Google’s Safe Browsing data, approximately 1.4% of websites contain malware at any given time. For WordPress specifically, Sucuri’s research indicates that approximately 4.3% of WordPress sites scanned with their SiteCheck tool suffered infections in 2021, representing about 1 out of every 25 WordPress sites.

What Are the Odds of Getting Hacked?

For an average WordPress website:

• Unprotected site: 15-20% chance annually
• Basic security measures: 3-5% chance annually
• Comprehensive security: Less than 1% chance annually

High-traffic sites and those in competitive niches face higher risks.

WordPress Malware Detection and Removal

How to Check if WordPress Has Malware?

Use these methods to detect WordPress malware:

Manual Inspection Signs:

• Unexpected admin users
• Unknown files in wp-content folder
• Suspicious database entries
• Redirects to unknown sites
• Slow loading times

Automated Scanning Tools:

• Wordfence Security Plugin
• Sucuri SiteCheck
• MalCare Scanner
• Google Search Console warnings

How Do I Check My WordPress Site for Malware?

Step-by-Step Malware Check:

1. Install Wordfence or MalCare plugin
2. Run comprehensive scan (files, database, themes, plugins)
3. Check Google Search Console for security warnings
4. Review server access logs for suspicious activity
5. Monitor website behavior for redirects or pop-ups
6. Use external scanners like Sucuri SiteCheck for additional verification

How Do I Clean My WordPress Site from Malware?

Professional Malware Removal Process:

1. Backup clean files (pre-infection if available)
2. Change all passwords (WordPress, hosting, FTP, database)
3. Update WordPress core, themes, and plugins
4. Remove malicious files identified in scans
5. Clean infected database entries
6. Replace core WordPress files with fresh copies
7. Install security plugin for ongoing protection
8. Monitor site for 30 days post-cleanup

How Do I Check if My Website Has Malware?

Beyond WordPress-specific tools, use these universal methods:

• Google Safe Browsing Check: Enter your URL at safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/
• VirusTotal: Scan your URL at virustotal.com for multiple security engine results
• Website security scanners: Sucuri SiteCheck, Qualys SSL Labs, Security Headers
• Browser warnings: Pay attention to security warnings from Chrome, Firefox, Safari

What Is the Malware Removal Tool for WordPress?

Top WordPress Malware Removal Tools:

1. MalCare – Automated malware removal with 99.9% success rate
2. Wordfence Premium – Real-time malware scanning and removal with over 15 million downloads
3. Sucuri Security – Professional malware cleanup service and monitoring
4. Jetpack Security – WordPress.com’s integrated security suite
5. iThemes Security – Comprehensive security plugin with malware detection

Note: According to Patchstack research, malware can disable or tamper with plugin-based scanners. In 14% of cases, malware tampered with Wordfence files to stay hidden. Server-level scanning is recommended for comprehensive protection.

How Much Does MalCare Cost?

MalCare pricing (as of September 2025):

• Personal Plan: $99/year (1 website)
• Freelancer Plan: $199/year (5 websites)
• Agency Plan: $299/year (20 websites)
• Business Plan: $499/year (50 websites)

All plans include unlimited malware removal, real-time scanning, and firewall protection. MalCare offers automated malware removal with a reported 99.9% success rate.

WordPress Security Assessment

Is My WordPress Site Hacked?

Immediate Red Flags:

• Google shows “This site may be hacked” warning
• Unexpected admin users in WordPress dashboard
• Unknown files with random names in wp-content
• Website redirects to unfamiliar domains
• Dramatic decrease in search traffic
• Hosting provider suspension notifications

Does WordPress Get Hacked?

Yes, WordPress sites are targeted because of the platform’s popularity. Successful hacks typically exploit:

• Outdated software (plugins, themes, core) – 33% of vulnerabilities in 2024 were not fixed before public disclosure according to Patchstack
• Weak passwords and poor user practices (81% of attacks use stolen/insecure passwords per Sucuri)
• Vulnerable hosting environments
• Unpatched security holes in third-party components

According to WeWatchYourWebsite research, WordPress core vulnerabilities are responsible for almost half of malware infections, with the rest related to poor security hygiene.

Can WordPress Be Trusted?

WordPress core is highly secure and trusted by major organizations including:

• The White House (whitehouse.gov)
• Sony Music (sonymusic.com)
• BBC America (bbcamerica.com)
• The New York Times Company blogs

Security issues typically stem from the ecosystem (plugins/themes) rather than WordPress itself.

Has My WordPress Site Been Hacked?

Use this quick diagnostic checklist:

Technical Indicators:

• Unexpected database size increases
• New files in wp-admin or wp-includes directories
• Modified .htaccess file
• Suspicious cron jobs
• Unknown user accounts

User Experience Indicators:

• Slow loading times
• Pop-ups or ads not placed by you
• SEO spam in search results
• Visitors reporting malware warnings

Is WordPress Still Vulnerable?

WordPress continues to face security challenges but has improved significantly:

Current Vulnerabilities (2024 Data):

• Plugin security remains the biggest risk (96% of issues per Patchstack)
• 43% of new vulnerabilities require no authentication to exploit
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) accounts for almost half of all new vulnerability reports
• 1,614 plugins and themes were removed from WordPress repository for unpatched security issues

Security Improvements:

• Automatic minor updates since WordPress 3.7
• Improved password strength requirements
• Two-factor authentication support
• Regular security audits and bug bounty programs

Is WordPress at Risk?

WordPress risk levels depend on implementation:

High Risk Scenarios:

• No security plugins or monitoring
• Outdated core, themes, or plugins
• Weak passwords across all accounts
• Shared hosting with poor security measures

Low Risk Scenarios:

• Regular updates and monitoring
• Strong passwords and two-factor authentication
• Quality hosting with server-level security
• Security-hardened configuration

WordPress Security Best Practices

How to Secure Your WordPress?

Essential Security Steps:

1. Keep Everything Updated
   • Enable automatic updates for WordPress core
   • Update plugins and themes within 48 hours of releases
   • Remove unused plugins and themes
2. Implement Strong Authentication
   • Use complex passwords (minimum 12 characters)
   • Enable two-factor authentication
   • Limit login attempts
   • Change default “admin” username
3. Install Security Plugins
   • Wordfence or MalCare for comprehensive protection
   • Configure firewall rules
   • Enable malware scanning
   • Set up security notifications
4. Secure Hosting Environment
   • Choose reputable hosting providers
   • Use SSL certificates (HTTPS)
   • Regular server-level security updates
   • Daily automated backups
5. Database and File Security
   • Change database table prefixes from default “wp_”
   • Restrict file permissions (folders 755, files 644)
   • Disable file editing in WordPress admin
   • Hide wp-config.php from public access

WordPress Hacked: Recovery Steps

If your WordPress site is already compromised:

Immediate Response (First 24 Hours):

1. Change all passwords immediately
2. Contact your hosting provider
3. Install security plugin and run full scan
4. Remove administrative users you don’t recognize
5. Check for backdoors in theme files

Recovery Phase (24-72 Hours):

1. Restore from clean backup if available
2. Reinstall WordPress core files
3. Update all plugins and themes
4. Clean infected database entries
5. Implement enhanced security measures

Prevention Phase (Ongoing):

1. Monitor security logs daily
2. Run weekly malware scans
3. Keep software updated
4. Regular security audits
5. Train team members on security practices

Expert Recommendations

Based on analysis of thousands of WordPress security incidents, the most effective protection strategy combines:

• Proactive monitoring (real-time threat detection)
• Regular maintenance (updates within 48 hours)
• Layered security (plugin + server + CDN protection)
• Incident response planning (backup and recovery procedures)
• User education (password policies and phishing awareness)

WordPress security is achievable with proper implementation and ongoing vigilance. The platform’s popularity makes it a target, but following security best practices reduces risk to near zero.