Is WordPress Dangerous? 7 Reasons Why High Hacking Risks Make It Hard to Recommend

When setting up a website, many businesses and individuals first consider WordPress. However, alongside its convenience and customization, there are undeniable security risks. Since 2024, cases of WordPress sites falling victim to hacking have been on the rise. Consequently, our company has decided not to recommend building with WordPress.

At Super Sonic Design, we prioritize building secure websites to protect our clients' brands and businesses. Below, we outline the seven specific reasons why we do not recommend WordPress. If you're considering creating a website, we encourage you to read on.

1. Numerous Plugin Vulnerabilities‍

One of WordPress’s major attractions is its extensive range of plugins, but this is also its biggest weakness. Many plugins lack regular updates, leaving security holes that hackers can exploit. Unreliable plugins, in particular, are often prime targets for attacks.‍

2. Securing WordPress Is Time-Consuming and Costly

As open-source software, WordPress is used by a vast number of people on the same basic infrastructure. This uniformity means that any security exploit can have far-reaching effects. Security maintenance requires self-management, which involves both time and cost.‍

3. Risky for the Inexperienced

While WordPress is easy to use, many users lack the in-depth security knowledge needed to set up their sites correctly, exposing them to hacking risks. Ignoring security can cause significant harm to a company’s reputation and brand.

4. A Common Target for Large-Scale Attacks

As the world’s most widely used CMS, WordPress is also the top target for hackers. Its popularity makes it vulnerable to frequent automated attacks, which keeps security risks high.

5. Customization Can Lead to Security Risks

WordPress allows users to customize themes and plugins freely, enabling unique designs and functions, but this also increases security risks. Altering code or settings can inadvertently introduce new vulnerabilities.

6. Vulnerabilities in the Admin Dashboard

Many WordPress sites use default login pages like “wp-admin” or “wp-login.php,” which are often targeted by brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks. Sites without two-factor authentication are especially vulnerable to unauthorized access.

7. Skipping Regular Updates Doubles the Risk

Updating WordPress, plugins, and themes is crucial for security. Failing to update leaves known vulnerabilities exposed, greatly increasing hacking risks. Many site owners overlook this maintenance, often leading to compromise.

Conclusion: Consider Safer Alternatives

At Super Sonic Design, we recommend that clients use secure website platforms. While WordPress is convenient, the security risks are too significant. For business-critical sites, we encourage exploring alternative CMS or website-building tools that maintain both customization and usability, while prioritizing security. This choice is essential for protecting a company’s or brand’s trustworthiness.

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