WordPress is the world’s most popular website platform – and with that popularity comes a lot of opinions about its security. Unfortunately, not all of those opinions are accurate. In fact, many small business owners and even some developers have misunderstandings about what really keeps a WordPress site safe. In this post, we’ll clear up some common confusion about WordPress security (without using the word “myth”) and explain how Webshape Design builds WordPress sites that stay secure. We’ll cover why the WordPress core software is more secure than people assume, why quick fixes like hiding your login page fall short, the limitations of “just install a security plugin”, and what a comprehensive security approach looks like in practice. The goal is to help you make informed decisions about your website’s security – even if you’re not very technical – and to highlight how our team at Webshape Design takes security seriously from day one.
WordPress Core Is Stronger Than You Think
One of the biggest misconceptions is that WordPress as a platform is inherently insecure. We often hear things like “WordPress sites get hacked all the time, so maybe WordPress isn’t safe.” The truth is that the WordPress core (the core software from wordpress.org) has a strong security track record. It’s actively maintained by a dedicated security team and a huge community of developers who regularly audit and improve the code. In fact, statistics show that WordPress core itself accounts for only a minuscule fraction of known vulnerabilities – around 0.5% – whereas the vast majority (over 90%) stem from plugins and themes. To put it another way, nearly all recent WordPress security issues have come from things added to WordPress (like add-on plugins or weak passwords), not the core itself. Impressively, WordPress core hasn’t had a major security loophole reported in many years (not since 2017, according to industry analysis). What this means for you as a site owner is that using WordPress isn’t a risk by itself – what matters is how you manage your WordPress site. A well-maintained WordPress installation (with quality plugins, proper configuration, and updates) can be just as secure as any other web platform. So the idea that “WordPress is insecure by design” is simply wrong. At Webshape Design, we work from the assumption that WordPress is a solid foundation, and we focus on the real risk areas around that foundation (like outdated plugins or poor login practices) to keep your site safe.
Hiding Your Login Page Isn’t Real Protection
Another thing people often get wrong is thinking that security can be achieved through little tricks or “security through obscurity”. A classic example is hiding the WordPress login page or changing the URL (for example, making the /wp-admin or /wp-login page something “secret”). Some also try hiding the WordPress version number or using a non-standard database prefix. The belief is that if hackers can’t find these, they won’t be able to attack your site. Unfortunately, this gives a false sense of security. Why? Because modern attacks are usually automated and don’t actually care what your login page is named. Malicious bots scan the internet for known weaknesses and patterns, and they can detect a WordPress site’s presence and vulnerabilities even if you’ve moved or renamed obvious things. Simply put, a determined attacker (or an automated script) will find a way to your login form regardless of what you call it. It’s a bit like hiding your front door – it might confuse a casual prowler, but it won’t stop a break-in if the person is really intent on getting inside.
That’s not to say changing default settings is completely useless – it can block some spammy bots and reduce trivial nuisance traffic. But on its own, it’s nowhere near enough to secure a site. You’re better off investing time in real protective measures that actually harden your site. For example, use strong, unique passwords for all user accounts and enable two-factor authentication for admin logins (this ensures that even if someone guesses a password, they still can’t get in without a second verification code). Also, make sure your site’s software is up to date and that you have a firewall or security service watching for bad login attempts. These steps make your site genuinely difficult to compromise, rather than just hard to find. In short, don’t rely on “hiding” as your primary defence – focus on robust security practices. Webshape Design helps our clients implement these real safeguards (like strong authentication and proper server security) rather than gimmicks, so you’re protected against serious attacks, not just the obvious ones.
A Plugin Alone Isn’t a Complete Security Plan
If you have a WordPress site, chances are you’ve installed (or been told to install) a security plugin at some point. Security plugins (such as Wordfence, Sucuri, iThemes Security, and others) are very useful tools – they can monitor your site for malware, block common attacks, and add extra firewall rules within WordPress. However, a common mistake is thinking that installing a security plugin is a one-and-done solution for website security. It’s comforting to believe that a plugin will “solve” security, but in reality it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
The limitation is that security plugins operate within WordPress itself, and they have to work within whatever environment your site is in. They can’t fix everything. For example, if your web hosting server has a fundamental security flaw or misconfiguration, a plugin can’t reach outside of WordPress to fix that. If you or your users choose weak passwords or reuse credentials that have leaked elsewhere, a plugin can try to limit logins or flag the issue, but it can’t magically make someone practice good password hygiene. And while many plugins include scanners and firewalls, they generally recognise known patterns of malicious behaviour – meaning a brand-new type of attack (a “zero-day” exploit) might slip past until the plugin gets updated. Plus, a plugin itself must be kept updated and configured correctly to do its job; an out-of-date or poorly configured security plugin won’t offer much protection at all.
All this is to say, a plugin is not a silver bullet. It should be part of a broader, multi-layered strategy. In fact, WordPress security experts stress that these plugins “complement, but do not replace” fundamental best practices and a secure setup. You still need to keep your WordPress core and plugins/themes updated, use a secure host, back up your data, and follow good security practices. At Webshape Design, we do use quality security plugins as one layer of defence, but we never rely on them alone – and we handle the configuration and ongoing monitoring to make sure they’re effective. We combine the plugin’s protection with other critical measures, which leads us to our next point: what a truly secure WordPress approach looks like.
How Webshape Design Builds Secure WordPress Sites
At Webshape Design, security isn’t an afterthought or a quick add-on – it’s woven into how we design, build, and maintain every website. We understand that keeping a WordPress site safe requires a proactive, comprehensive approach. Here are some of the key things we do differently to ensure our clients’ sites remain secure:
Secure Server Setup and Hosting: We start with a strong foundation by using secure, reliable hosting environments. This means our WordPress sites run on servers that are configured with robust protections at the server level – including features like firewalls, up-to-date server software, SSL encryption (HTTPS), and regular malware scanning. A quality web host provides critical security features such as firewall protection, SSL certificates, and DDoS attack prevention out of the box. By hosting our clients’ sites on well-secured servers (and isolating each site’s resources), we dramatically reduce the risk of server-side vulnerabilities. Essentially, we lock all the “doors and windows” on the server, not just in WordPress itself.
Strict Plugin Practices: One way many WordPress sites become vulnerable is through the careless use of plugins. We take a very careful approach to plugins. First, we only install trusted, well-vetted plugins – ideally those with good reputations, active maintenance, and a history of prompt security updates. If a plugin is no longer maintained or known to have issues, we avoid it (or find a better alternative). It’s well known that outdated or poorly maintained plugins can turn into security liabilities, so we keep the plugin list lean and up-to-date. We also remove any plugins (or themes) that aren’t actively in use, closing potential loopholes. By minimising bloat and choosing quality plugins, we limit the “attack surface” of your site without sacrificing functionality.
Educating Users and Strong Access Control: Security isn’t just about software – people play a big role too. We help educate our clients and anyone who manages their site on safe user practices. This includes using strong, unique passwords for all accounts (and using a password manager if needed), never using the default “admin” username, and enabling two-factor authentication for administrator logins. We often set up Two-Factor Authentication on our clients’ sites so that even if a password is stolen, an attacker can’t get in without the second factor. Additionally, we ensure user roles are assigned wisely – for instance, only giving admin access to those who truly need it, and giving editors or authors the appropriate (limited) permissions. By training and informing site owners about these precautions, we reduce the human errors that often lead to breaches. You shouldn’t have to be a security expert, but we make sure you know the key do’s and don’ts for keeping your own site credentials safe.
Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring: Perhaps most importantly, we don’t consider a site “finished” and then forget about security. A secure site is a site that’s continually well-maintained. Webshape Design provides ongoing support and maintenance plans that include regular updates of the WordPress core, plugins, and themes – so known vulnerabilities are patched promptly (hackers often exploit sites that missed an update). We also perform regular backups of your site, so that if anything ever did happen, your data could be restored quickly. In addition, our team keeps an eye on security alerts and unusual activity. For example, if we see repeated suspicious login attempts or a plugin that suddenly shows a security flaw, we take action – whether that’s updating software, adjusting settings, or contacting the client with guidance. Our philosophy is that security is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. By being proactive and vigilant, we stay one step ahead of threats. The result is that our clients can have peace of mind, knowing their WordPress websites are monitored and cared for by professionals who prioritise security.
In conclusion, avoiding misconceptions and following proven best practices makes all the difference in WordPress security. WordPress core is a solid, secure foundation – it’s the surrounding decisions (hosting, plugins, passwords, updates, etc.) that determine how secure your particular site is. Quick fixes like hiding a login page or installing a single plugin won’t protect you on their own, especially against the kind of automated attacks that hit websites every day. The good news is that with the right approach, a WordPress site can be locked down effectively. Webshape Design’s approach is to address security at every level: from a hardened server and carefully chosen plugins, to educated users and active maintenance. This layered, professional approach means you can enjoy all the flexibility and benefits of WordPress without constantly worrying about hackers. By clearing up the common wrong ideas about WordPress security, we hope you feel more confident and informed about how to keep your website safe – and remember, you’re not alone in that effort. Our team is here to build and maintain WordPress sites that stay secure, so you can focus on running your business with peace of mind.
