Common Hacker Attacks on WordPress Sites
1. Brute Force Login
Automated attempts to guess the administrator’s username and password. It’s important to use strong passwords, limit login attempts, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and change the default login URL.
2. SQL Injection
Hackers inject malicious SQL commands into input fields to manipulate or access the database. This can be prevented by sanitizing inputs and using secure, updated plugins.
3. Malicious File Uploads
Attackers upload harmful scripts (e.g., PHP) through vulnerable forms. To mitigate, restrict allowed file types and prevent execution of uploaded files.
4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Injects JavaScript code into the site via comments or forms to hijack sessions or steal data. Avoid this by validating and escaping user input/output properly.
5. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Tricks authenticated users into performing unwanted actions. Protection includes CSRF tokens and strict validation of requests.
6. Plugin or Theme Vulnerabilities
Outdated or insecure plugins/themes may expose the site to threats. Use only trusted sources and keep everything up to date.
7. XML-RPC Exploits
The xmlrpc.php file can be used for brute force or DDoS attacks. If not required, it should be disabled or restricted.
8. Backdoors and Web Shells
Malicious code that provides persistent access even after malware removal. Regularly scan and monitor critical system files.
9. Malicious Redirects and SEO Spam
Attackers modify core files (e.g., .htaccess) to redirect users or inject spam links. Monitor for unauthorized file changes.
10. Denial of Service (DDoS)
Overloads the server with fake traffic, making the site unreachable. Mitigation includes CDN protection, web application firewalls (WAF), and server-level rate limiting.
Recommended Security Tools and Plugins
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Wordfence Security
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iThemes Security
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Sucuri Security
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WPScan (for vulnerability scanning)
