Every website, whether it runs on WordPress, Joomla, Drupal or another CMS, requires regular updates to operate securely and efficiently. These updates cover both the system’s core and the plugins that add functionality. Without them, many problems can arise that not only expose the website to hacking attacks, but also affect its performance and stability.
Statistics
- In 2023, as many as 43% of all cyberattacks targeted small and medium-sized businesses that neglected to update their CMS systems.
- Consequences of failing to update websites:
- 60% of businesses close within 6 months of a major hacking attack.
- Google removes more than 10,000 websites from search results every day because of infections.
- Small online shops lost 20% of their traffic after their websites were infected with malware.
- According to eSentire’s 2023 report, the global costs of cyberattacks will reach USD 8 trillion annually, and are forecast to rise to USD 10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
- 60% of attacks exploit security vulnerabilities in outdated systems, demonstrating the importance of regular updates.
- A new hacking attack on a website occurs every 39 seconds.
Source: Cybersecurity Ventures Report and eSentire Cybercrime Report 2023.
Risks resulting from a lack of updates
1. Break-ins and hacking attacks
Outdated versions of CMS systems and plugins contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Regular updates close these gaps and introduce new safeguards. Systems such as WordPress are very popular, making them frequent targets of attacks. Without updates, your website becomes easy prey.
2. Website malfunctions
Updates not only increase security, but also improve the system’s functionality. Outdated software can lead to website malfunctions, such as loading problems, slower operation or incompatibility with newer PHP and server versions.
3. Compliance with new standards and regulations
Rapid changes in legal regulations, such as the GDPR, and technological standards, such as WCAG, require CMS systems to be updated regularly. New software versions often include fixes to ensure compliance with these requirements, which is crucial, especially for public institutions, schools and businesses operating online.
Risks resulting from a lack of regular backups
Having a website backup is crucial, but creating it regularly and storing it securely are equally important. Keeping a backup in one place, for example on the server that hosts the website, can prove disastrous in the event of a server failure or a hacking attack. What is more, a short backup retention period (for example, just 7 days) may be insufficient if a problem is only discovered after a longer time. In such cases, recovering older versions of the website may prove impossible.
How does Dobry Webmaster help?
Our Dobry Webmaster service is a solution that guarantees your website’s security and stability. We offer regular updates to WordPress, plugins and other CMS systems, and take care of regular backups. This gives you confidence that your website operates securely and efficiently, and that we can quickly restore it if problems arise.
- Backups made before every update are kept for 3 months, guaranteeing long-term protection and the ability to recover an older version of the website.
- Regular updates to WordPress, plugins and other CMS systems, protecting the website against the latest threats.
- Tests after updates to make sure that everything works correctly and without disruption.
- Additional safeguards – We add extra safeguards at both website and server level to increase security and minimise the risk associated with bot activity.
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Other CMS systems – why do they also need updates?
Although WordPress is the most popular CMS, other platforms such as Joomla, Drupal, Magento or PrestaShop also require regular updates. What is more, these systems are often updated less frequently, which may pose an additional risk.
1. Joomla and Drupal
CMS systems that are updated less frequently may leave security vulnerabilities open for longer, exposing websites to a greater risk of attacks. In addition, a longer release cycle means that adapting to new technologies may be delayed, resulting in compatibility problems.
2. Magento and PrestaShop
Systems dedicated to e-commerce that process sensitive customer data. A lack of regular updates can lead to the loss of customer data, with serious legal consequences.
Therefore, regardless of the CMS you choose, it is worth taking care of regular updates and backups to avoid potential problems and maintain website stability.
Additional WordPress security measures you can implement
To further secure your WordPress website, it is worth taking a few simple but effective steps in addition to regular updates:
- Creating strong passwords and changing them regularly
One basic safeguard is using strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Passwords should consist of at least 12 characters and include letters, numbers and special characters. Changing them every 2-3 months is a good habit, reducing the risk of someone gaining access to your account. - Introducing two-step login verification (2FA)
Two-step verification (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection. In addition to a password, the user must enter a verification code sent, for example, to their phone. Plugins such as Google Authenticator make it easy to implement 2FA on WordPress. - Limiting login attempts
It is worth introducing a limit on login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks, in which hackers try to guess a password through repeated attempts. - Installing an SSL certificate
An SSL certificate encrypts the data transmitted between the server and website users, significantly increasing security. Implementing SSL is crucial, especially for websites that process personal data or handle online transactions. You can implement it using plugins such as Really Simple SSL or ask your hosting provider for support.
These simple but effective measures will make your WordPress website much better protected against potential threats.
WordPress security at code and server level
In addition to the methods mentioned, there are many more advanced options for securing WordPress at code and server level. Access to various resources can be blocked, such as system files, API access or editing theme files directly from the administration panel. However, these advanced methods require technical knowledge and experience, because incorrectly introducing code changes can lead to website malfunctions or even cause it to fail.
Safeguards such as blocking access to wp-config.php files or disabling the theme editor can significantly increase protection, but their implementation is best entrusted to specialists experienced in securing websites.