Top 5 WordPress Security Issues in 2025 — and How to Prevent Them 

If you’re running a website on WordPress — you’re not alone. It powers over 43% of all sites out there. It’s flexible, familiar, and packed with features. But with that popularity comes a price — WordPress is also a prime target for hackers, making WordPress website security more important than ever. 

In 2025, thousands of new vulnerabilities were reported — the majority hiding inside third-party plugins. The good news? You don’t need to be a security expert to keep your site safe. You just need to know where the biggest risks are — and how to deal with them before they become real problems. 

Let’s walk through the top WordPress security threats in 2025 and show you what you can do about them. 

Quick Overview 

1. Outdated Plugins and Themes 
2. Weak Login Credentials and Brute-Force Attacks 
3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) 
4. SQL Injection (SQLi) 
5. No SSL — Still 
6. Final Thoughts 
7. Sources 

Outdated WordPress Security Plugins and Themes 

Here’s the thing: most WordPress security issues don’t start with WordPress itself. They come from plugins and themes — especially the ones you installed ages ago and forgot about. Plugins are a common source of vulnerabilities in WordPress sites. 

What to do: 

• Delete the stuff you don’t use. 
• Keep everything else updated — always. 
• Choose plugins that are actively maintained (and ideally, well-reviewed). 

Pro tip: Want to double-check your setup? Use a “WordPress plugin security checker” — there are several free ones out there. 

⚠️Note: Be careful with over-restrictive plugin settings. One of our clients once blocked their own hosting scheduler using a security plugin — it led to broken cron jobs and unexpected site issues. Security rules should be applied with context and testing — otherwise, you risk breaking core functionality while trying to protect it.

Weak Login Credentials and Brute-Force Attacks 

You’d be surprised how many sites still use “admin” as the username. Or a password like “12345678”. In 2025, brute-force attacks — where bots guess your login over and over — are still super common. It takes just one weak password to open the door. 

What to do: 

• Set up two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s easier than you think. 
• Use a strong, unique password — not one you also use for Netflix. 
• Limit login attempts or change your login URL using a plugin like WPS Hide Login. 

Extra layer: A “WordPress password protect plugin” can help you lock down sensitive areas even further. 

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) 

XSS sounds complicated, but here’s the simple version: hackers insert bad scripts into your site, and when users visit — those scripts run in their browser. They can steal data, redirect users, or even deface your site. 

And they’re everywhere. Patchstack says XSS made up nearly half of all reported vulnerabilities last year. 

What to do: 

• Always validate and sanitize user input (especially in forms or comments). 
• Don’t allow unfiltered HTML unless absolutely necessary. 
• Use a solid WordPress security plugin that includes XSS protection to reduce risks. 

SQL Injection (SQLi) 

SQL injection (SQLi) remains one of the most critical web vulnerabilities. It allows attackers to manipulate backend queries and gain unauthorized access to databases — potentially exposing sensitive user data. 

According to the OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks, SQLi is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous and widespread vulnerabilities, especially in custom-built or poorly maintained applications. 

What to do: 

• Use parameterized queries and prepared statements 
• Never insert raw user input into SQL queries 
• Run vulnerability scans regularly to catch insecure patterns 

No SSL — Still 

It’s 2025 and some sites are still not using HTTPS. If yours isn’t — you’re putting user data at risk and hurting your SEO. Browsers like Chrome literally flag sites as “Not Secure.” Not a great first impression. 

What to do: 

• Get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or your hosting provider. 
• Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. 
• Use SSL Labs to test your setup and make sure it’s solid. 

Final Thoughts 

Keeping your WordPress site secure in 2025 doesn’t take fancy tools or deep tech knowledge — just a bit of consistency and the right habits. 

Here’s the quick version: 

• Keep plugins and themes updated 
• Don’t use weak or reused passwords 
• Enable two-factor authentication 
• Install an SSL certificate 
• Run occasional scans for vulnerabilities using tools like a WordPress vulnerability scanner or plugin for security WordPress. 

If you’d rather not spend time on all that — we can take it off your plate. 

At Deveit, we help marketing agencies, eCommerce brands, and digital teams secure their WordPress sites without the usual stress. From plugin audits, WordPress shield security setup, to real-time technical support. 

 Request a free WordPress security check → 

No pitch. Just clear insights and actionable advice — so you can focus on growth, not glitches.