WordPress is a popular content management system among experts, hobbyists, SMEs, and multinational companies. As of 2022, 43.2% of all websites are built using WordPress. It is powerful, flexible, and can create professional-looking websites and blogs.
WordPress is open-source, so anyone can access the code if needed. Designers may create cool new add-ons and themes for the system as the code is public. But this benefit also poses security risks. Hackers can use known vulnerabilities to hijack WordPress-powered sites.
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What kind of website can I build with WordPress?
P.C: PIXABAY
1. Blog or Personal Website
The term “blog” emerged in 2004 as a shortened version of “weblog,” which had been in use since the late 1990s.
A blog is typically authored and maintained by an individual or small group. So blogs convey information in an informal tone. But nowadays, many corporate blogs pump out plenty of informative and thought leadership content.
2. Business Website
More than five billion people, or 63.1% of the world’s population, were online as of April 2022. To reach this audience, you need a website.
WordPress can be a fantastic option if you’re looking to create a business website on your own. It’s an excellent choice for startups wishing to expand their reach.
3. Ecommerce Website / Online Store
WordPress’s flexible architecture and available themes make it a suitable platform for e-commerce sites. Plugins give your site functionality, while themes give it its visual flair.
Use these add-ons and themes to transform your standard WordPress site into a functional, visually appealing, and potentially successful online store.
How to Maintain a WordPress Website?
Due to its popularity, WordPress is often a target for hackers. WordPress is remarkably safe, but they can still gain access to websites.
Hackers frequently exploit weaknesses in WordPress plugins and themes to gain access to vulnerable sites. You probably know the other three causes of WordPress vulnerabilities:
1. Administrator Errors
Administrators can make mistakes or overlook tasks, which could compromise your WordPress site. Here are some of the WordPress maintenance tasks you need to keep your site secure:
- Back up your site. A website backup is a foolproof approach to ensure security. Safely storing data and files means you can restore your site after a data breach.
- Keep your plugins up-to-date at all times. Avoid those that haven’t been updated in a while. And don’t just disable a plugin; get rid of it entirely. Inactive plugins with exploitable code can still cause issues.
- Promptly update themes. Updates could fix security issues or add new features.
- Spot and remove spam. Spam comments hinder genuine interaction with your readers. You also run the risk of malware infection, which can affect your site’s security.
- Evaluate user accounts. They are equally susceptible as admin accounts. You can protect user accounts by doing the following:
- Implement a strict policy for account passwords.
- When assigning user roles, follow the rule of least privilege.
- Remove inactive accounts regularly.
- Require regular password updates
- Check web hosting plans and statistics. A sudden surge in server use but no visitor increase may signify a brute-force attack.
2. Weak Login Credentials
You have to admit password management is bothersome. There are just too many login credentials to keep track of these days. These can include passwords and login information for your WordPress dashboard, social media, and online banking.
As a result, many users make the mistake of reusing login information across several websites. If your login credentials fall into the wrong hands, hackers could potentially get access to all of your accounts. A password manager can help prevent that from happening.
A password manager can help you create and safely store complex passwords. You’ll only need to remember a master password to access your stored passwords.
The auto-fill feature is arguably the most helpful feature of password managers. For sites where you already have an account, you’ll never have to retype your login information again.
3. Outdated Software
One more necessary maintenance task is to update your WordPress version. The package contains the core files, themes, and plugins.
If the WordPress team discovers a security hole, they issue a patch quickly. Keeping WordPress up-to-date is an effective way to prevent hackers from exploiting security gaps. You provide hackers an open door into your site if you don’t update.
Moreover, hackers may quickly discover which version of WordPress you’re running because WordPress reveals this information. That makes it easy for them to hack your site by searching for flaws in that specific version.
Quick Links:
- 8 Best Reasons Why You Should Adopt WordPress for Your Next Website
- Common WordPress Mistakes Beginners Usually Make
- WordPress Plugins to Increase the Speed of Your Website/Blog
- Which WordPress Redirect Plugin You Must Use?
Conclusion:
WordPress is more popular than any other platform for website creation. It’s also the most frequently breached system.
In 2021, Wordfence documented around 18.5 billion password attacks against WordPress in the first half of 2021.
To avoid becoming one of these sites, you need to be familiar with the basics of WordPress maintenance.