Many business owners assume everything is fine because the site looks okay. But WordPress sites can be quietly at risk behind the scenes, often due to outdated software, weak security settings, or poor maintenance.
In this post, we’ll show you the key warning signs your WordPress site may be at risk — and what to do about them.
9 Signs You Website Is At Risk
Your Site Is Running Slow
If your site is taking more than a few seconds to load, it may be a sign of outdated plugins, bloated themes, or even malware. Slow speeds also hurt your SEO rankings and frustrate users.
- Fix it: Optimise images, remove unnecessary plugins, and check for malware or server issues.
You Haven’t Updated Plugins or Themes in Months
Outdated plugins and themes are one of the most common entry points for hackers. Developers regularly release updates to patch security flaws — skipping them leaves your site exposed.
- Fix it: Log into your dashboard regularly and apply updates. Better yet, set up a maintenance routine or let a professional manage it for you.
You Don’t Have an SSL Certificate (No Padlock)
If your site still shows “Not Secure” in browsers, that’s a red flag. It means data between your visitors and your site isn’t encrypted — which is bad for user trust and SEO.
- Fix it: Install a free SSL certificate (many hosts include this), and force HTTPS for all traffic.
You’re Still Using “admin” as a Username
Hackers know to look for default usernames like “admin” and use brute force attacks to try common passwords.
- Fix it: Create a new admin account with a unique username and delete the old “admin” account.
You Don’t Have Regular Backups
If your site were hacked or went offline today, could you restore it? Without a backup, you could lose everything.
- Fix it: Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault to create automated backups stored securely offsite.
You Don’t Use a Security Plugin
Many WordPress sites run with no protection. Security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri help monitor attacks, block malicious traffic, and provide alerts.
- Fix it: Install a reputable security plugin and configure it to send email alerts for suspicious activity.
You Have Inactive Plugins or Themes Installed
Even deactivated plugins can be exploited by hackers if they’re out of date or poorly coded.
- Fix it: Delete any plugins or themes you're not actively using.
You’re Not Sure Who Has Access
Too many admin-level users (or old user accounts from ex-employees) can increase your risk of internal or external attacks.
- Fix it: Audit user accounts and only assign admin rights to people who need them. Remove unused accounts.
You Haven’t Scanned Your Site for Malware
Just because nothing looks broken doesn’t mean your site is clean. Some malware is designed to operate invisibly.
- Fix it: Run a malware scan using your security plugin or an external tool like Sucuri SiteCheck.
Is Your WordPress Site at Risk?
If you’ve spotted one or more of these red flags, don’t panic — but don’t ignore them either. Most WordPress security issues are preventable with regular care and monitoring.
At Lens Digital, we help businesses keep their WordPress websites safe, fast, and always up-to-date through our WordPress Care Plan.
Not sure where to start?
We offer a free website health check to identify risks and recommend fixes — no obligation.
Contact us today to book yours.
