A website may appear completely normal and yet still have serious security vulnerabilities. WordPress isn’t inherently “secure” or “insecure” forever: the outcome depends on updates, access controls, hosting, and proper maintenance.
Here are eight checks that should be part of every professional site’s routine. They do not replace a technical audit, but they help you identify the most common vulnerabilities early on.
1. Are WordPress, the plugins, and the theme up to date?
Check to see if updates are available for the WordPress core, plugins, and theme. Not all updates are the same: some address known security vulnerabilities, while others improve compatibility or functionality.
What to do: Keep a recent backup, read the release notes, and, when possible, test critical updates on a staging environment first. Then verify that the site, forms, and checkout are working.
2. Who has administrator privileges?
A former employee, a trial account, or a user with excessive permissions can pose an unnecessary risk.
What to do: Open the user list, remove access that is no longer needed, and assign each partner only the role required for their job. Avoid shared administrator accounts.
3. Do you have strong passwords and a second authentication factor?
Using the same password across multiple systems is risky. A unique, strong password and the enablement of two-factor authentication (2FA) through an appropriate solution reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
What to do: Use a password manager, change passwords when necessary, and enable 2FA for accounts with elevated privileges.
4. Can you actually restore the site?
A “backup completed” message doesn’t necessarily mean the restore will succeed. You need files and a database, preferably with a copy stored off the server itself.
What to do: Check the backup frequency and retention period, and periodically test restores in a secure environment. For online stores, the backup strategy must take into account frequent changes to orders.
5. Are there any unused plugins?
Every additional plugin means more code to maintain. Inactive or abandoned plugins don’t need to remain on your site for no reason.
What to do: Make a list of what’s actually needed, remove anything that isn’t being used, and look for alternatives when a plugin is no longer maintained.
6. Is HTTPS configured correctly?
The padlock icon in the browser helps encrypt communication, but it doesn’t guarantee that WordPress can’t be compromised. Also check for any insecure resources (mixed content) or problematic redirects.
7. Is anyone monitoring for errors and uptime?
A form that has stopped sending emails or a checkout page that returns an error might go unnoticed if there are no checks in place.
What to do: Monitor the site’s availability, review critical error logs, and test key features—especially after changes.
8. Have the hosting and incident response plan been reviewed?
Security doesn’t end with WordPress. The supported PHP version, server updates, access protection, and who takes action if something goes wrong are all important.
What should you do: know where the backups are located, who has access to the hosting, and how to contact the technical support representative in an emergency.
How often should these checks be performed?
There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule. A small informational website and an e-shop that receives orders daily have different requirements. Set up a schedule based on usage and risk: backups and critical alerts require more frequent monitoring, while general inspections can be performed periodically.
Need help with maintenance?
BEEGITAL can help you schedule a technical audit and identify any outstanding issues with your WordPress site. Check out our technical support services or contact us to describe your needs.
Official resources for more information
For detailed documentation, please refer to the official Hardening WordPress guide and the backup instructions from the WordPress team.
Article photo: Sasun Bughdaryan / Unsplash.