Updates for WordPress, including the WordPress Core, plugins, and themes, are crucial for protecting your website. They close security vulnerabilities and fix weaknesses that could otherwise be exploited by hackers. Neglecting updates significantly increases the risk of becoming a target for malware infections or hacking attacks.
An important tip is to check the activity of developers and the date of the last update when installing new plugins. Active developers who regularly provide updates are a good sign that potential security vulnerabilities will be addressed promptly. Hackers often target components that have not been updated for a long time because the probability of finding exploitable vulnerabilities is much higher here.
Automate Your Updates
By enabling automatic updates, you can ensure that your WordPress version, plugins, and themes are always up to date without needing to manually intervene each time. However, we also want to mention that automating update processes can carry risks, especially if there are compatibility issues between different plugins or themes. For this reason, it is advisable to regularly check whether everything is functioning smoothly after automatic updates or to hire a professional WordPress Agentur Frankfurt to maintain your WordPress website.
Have you updated your PHP version to 8.0 or newer yet?
Updating to PHP 8.0 and newer is a current example of how important regular updates are for the security of your website—and how often they are overlooked. We strongly recommend checking your current PHP version or having updates performed by a suitable WordPress agency like ours. With PHP 8.0, your website not only receives security improvements but also other technical advantages. Ignoring such updates could make your website more vulnerable to attacks. It’s like a house: Nobody would intentionally leave the front door open or use an old lock when better ones are available. In this article about PHP 8.0, you’ll find everything you need to know.
Not all plugins or themes are virus-free and secure
When selecting plugins and themes for your WordPress website, it is crucial to rely on trusted sources. Make sure that the extensions are regularly updated and receive positive reviews from other users. Ensure that the developer team is active and releases new updates promptly.
Additionally, it is advisable to minimize the number of plugins and themes used on your WordPress website. Each additional extension can potentially represent a security vulnerability, especially if it is not regularly updated. By using only the necessary plugins and themes that are regularly maintained and updated, you can significantly reduce the risk of security issues and improve your website’s performance.
Under no circumstances should you download plugins or themes from potentially dubious sources, as they may contain malware that could harm your system. Before downloading an extension, thoroughly check the source. It’s best to download plugins and themes directly from the official WordPress website or from trusted providers. However, even using the official WordPress Store does not completely exclude the possibility of plugins being contaminated with malware.
Regularly take the time to review extensions and ensure that your website is optimally protected. Remove unused or suspicious extensions to minimize potential security risks. By actively monitoring the installed extensions, you can quickly respond to security issues and protect your WordPress website from attacks.
Best Practices for Backup Intervals and Storage
Backups are copies of your website data that can be used to restore the website in case of a hack, data loss, or error. Therefore, it is very important to regularly create backups through the WordPress Agentur Köln and ensure that the backup data is stored in a secure location.
The frequency with which you create backups could depend on the frequency of your website updates: We recommend performing daily or weekly backups, depending on how often your website changes in content and technology.
Using Backup Plugins
Using backup plugins can greatly simplify the process of creating and managing backups: There are various WordPress plugins that offer automatic backup features and allow you to create and restore your backups with just a few clicks. Popular backup plugins include UpdraftPlus and BackWPup. When making your choice, ensure that your plugin is compatible with your WordPress theme and plugins to avoid potential conflicts and ensure a smooth backup experience.
