Keeping WordPress updated is the single most important thing you can do to keep your website secure. Most hacked WordPress sites are running outdated plugins, themes or core software with known vulnerabilities. Update monthly at a minimum and promptly for security releases, test on a staging copy, keep daily off-site backups, use strong logins with two-factor authentication, and remove anything you do not use.
Updated October 2026: this guide now also includes the security checklist from our earlier article on protecting your website from hackers.
Why Do WordPress Updates Matter?
- Security: updates patch vulnerabilities that attackers scan for automatically. Once a fix is public, unpatched sites become easy targets.
- Compatibility: plugins, themes, WordPress core and the server’s PHP version need to stay in step, or features break.
- Performance: newer versions are often faster and more efficient.
- Features: updates add improvements to the editor, accessibility and site tools.
- SEO: a hacked site can be flagged by Google, lose rankings and show warnings to visitors, while a slow or broken site loses visitors.
What Needs to Be Updated?
- WordPress core, including minor security releases.
- Plugins, the most common source of vulnerabilities.
- Themes, including parent themes and page builders.
- PHP on your hosting server, which needs to be a supported version.
How Should You Update WordPress Safely?
- Take a full backup of files and database first.
- Test updates on a staging copy, especially major updates and page builders.
- Update plugins and themes, then WordPress core.
- Check key pages, forms, checkout and tracking after updating.
- Keep a log so you can roll back if something breaks.
Online stores need extra care: WooCommerce and its payment, shipping and tax extensions depend on current versions, and an outdated plugin can break checkout or expose customer data.
What Else Keeps a WordPress Site Secure?
- Strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication for every administrator.
- Least privilege: give each user only the role they need, and remove former staff and contractors.
- Remove unused plugins and themes instead of just deactivating them.
- Use reputable plugins and themes that are actively maintained; avoid pirated or “nulled” versions, which often contain malware.
- A web application firewall and malware scanning, at the hosting level or through a security plugin.
- HTTPS everywhere with a valid SSL certificate.
- Daily off-site backups that you have tested restoring.
- Limit login attempts and protect the login page from automated attacks.
- Secure hosting that isolates accounts and keeps server software patched.
What Are the Signs Your Site Has Been Hacked?
- Unfamiliar pages, links or spammy content in Google results for your site.
- Browser or Google warnings that the site is unsafe.
- Redirects to other websites, especially on mobile.
- New administrator accounts you did not create.
- Sudden drops in traffic or a hosting account suspension.
What Should You Do if Your Site Is Hacked?
- Put the site in maintenance mode and contact your host or developer.
- Change all passwords, including hosting, FTP, database and WordPress accounts.
- Restore from a clean backup or have the malware removed professionally.
- Update everything and close the hole that let attackers in.
- If Google flagged the site, request a review in Search Console after cleanup.
Rather not manage this yourself? Our WordPress care plan reviews and applies core, theme and plugin updates every month, and our managed WordPress hosting includes daily backups, malware protection and SSL.
