Guide To Updating Old Vulnerable WordPress Core/Plugins: Essential Tips

Key Takeaways:

• Regularly update your WordPress core and plugins to ensure better security.
• Before updating, backup your website to avoid potential data loss.
• Always keep your plugins and themes up to date to maintain optimal performance.
• Check for compatibility issues with the latest WordPress version before updating.

Is your WordPress website running on outdated core files and plugins? If so, you might be putting your website’s security at risk.

In today’s digital age, hackers are constantly finding new vulnerabilities to exploit.

And if you’re not regularly updating your WordPress core and plugins, you’re essentially leaving the front door wide open for them. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

In this guide, I’ll show you the importance of updating old vulnerable WordPress core and plugins, as well as the best practices and tools to help you stay on top of your website’s security.

So let’s dive in and ensure your website is safe and protected.

Why is it important to update old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins?

Updating old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins is crucial for maintaining the security and functionality of your website.

The risks of running outdated WordPress core/plugins

Running outdated WordPress core/plugins poses significant risks to the security and functionality of your website.

These risks include:

• Increased vulnerability to cyberattacks: Outdated plugins often have known security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your website. This can lead to data breaches, defacement, and even malware infections.
• Compatibility issues: As WordPress continually releases updates, outdated plugins may not be compatible with the latest version. This can result in broken features or a complete site crash, affecting user experience and site performance.
• Lack of new features and improvements: By not updating your plugins, you miss out on the latest features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. This can hinder the growth and optimization of your website.
• Reduced support: Developers typically focus their support on the latest versions of their plugins. Consequently, if you’re running an outdated version, you may encounter difficulties when seeking technical assistance or receiving updates for bug fixes or compatibility issues.

To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to regularly update your WordPress core and plugins.

The impact of vulnerabilities on your website’s security

Vulnerabilities in your website’s core or plugins can have serious security implications.

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, inject malicious code, or even take control of your website.

This can lead to data breaches, defacement of your site, loss of customer trust, and damage to your online reputation.

Regularly updating your WordPress core and plugins is crucial to patching these vulnerabilities and keeping your website secure.

How to update your WordPress core/plugins

To update your WordPress core/plugins, you will need to follow these steps: backing up your website, updating manually or automatically, and testing the updated core/plugins.

Step 1: Backing up your website before updating

Before updating your WordPress core/plugins, it is crucial to back up your website.

This ensures that you have a copy of your site in case something goes wrong during the update process.

You can back up your website by using a plugin or manually exporting your files and database.

Step 2: Updating your WordPress core/plugins manually

To update your WordPress core/plugins manually, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Updates” page. Here, you can see if there are any available updates for your core or plugins.

Simply click on the “Update Now” button next to the items you want to update, and WordPress will automatically download and install the latest versions.

After the updates are complete, make sure to test your website to ensure everything is working properly.

Step 3: Updating your WordPress core/plugins automatically

To update your WordPress core/plugins automatically, you can enable automatic updates in the WordPress dashboard. Simply go to the “Dashboard” and then click on “Updates.” From there, you’ll see the option to enable automatic updates for both the core software and plugins.

Once enabled, WordPress will automatically update your core and plugins whenever a new version is available.

This helps ensure that your website stays secure and up to date without requiring manual intervention. Just remember to regularly test and verify your updates to ensure everything is working correctly.

Step 4: Testing and verifying the updated WordPress core/plugins

After updating your WordPress core/plugins, it’s important to test and verify that everything is working correctly.

You can do this by checking your website’s functionality, testing any affected features, and ensuring compatibility with your theme and other plugins.

Use a staging environment or backup for testing to avoid any potential issues on your live site.

Monitor your website closely for a few days after the update to catch any bugs or problems early on.

Best practices for updating old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins

Regularly check for updates, keep track of patch releases, and vulnerability reports. Set up automatic updates for plugins and themes and monitor compatibility issues when updating.

Regularly checking for updates

Regularly checking for updates is essential for maintaining the security and functionality of your WordPress website. By keeping your core and plugins up to date, you can patch any vulnerabilities and ensure smooth performance.

Set a schedule for checking for updates, use update checker plugins, and stay informed about patch releases and vulnerability reports.

Keeping track of patch releases and vulnerability reports

To keep track of patch releases and vulnerability reports for your WordPress core and plugins, you can follow these steps:

• Regularly check for updates: Make it a habit to check for updates at least once a week. This will ensure that you are aware of any new patches or security fixes that have been released.
• Subscribe to mailing lists and security bulletins: Sign up for email notifications from the developers of your WordPress core and plugins. This way, you’ll receive alerts and announcements about new updates and vulnerabilities directly in your inbox.
• Follow trusted security blogs and websites: Stay informed about the latest security news and updates by following reputable blogs and websites that specialize in WordPress security. They often publish articles or reports about new vulnerabilities and patches.
• Use vulnerability scanning tools: Consider using vulnerability scanning tools that can automatically scan your website for vulnerabilities and provide you with a report. These tools can help you identify potential security risks and take appropriate action.

By keeping track of patch releases and vulnerability reports, you can stay proactive in maintaining the security of your WordPress website.

Remember, timely updates are crucial in protecting your website from potential threats.

Setting up automatic updates for plugins and themes

To set up automatic updates for your plugins and themes, go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Updates” tab. From there, you can enable automatic updates for plugins and themes, ensuring that you always have the latest versions with the latest security patches.

This will help protect your website from potential vulnerabilities and keep it running smoothly.

Additionally, you can also use plugins like Easy Updates Manager or Advanced Automatic Updates to customize your settings and have more control over the update process. Remember to regularly check your website after updates to ensure everything is working properly.

Monitoring compatibility issues when updating plugins

To effectively monitor compatibility issues when updating plugins, it’s essential to follow these steps:

• Before updating, check if the new version of the plugin is compatible with your current WordPress version.
• Review the plugin’s release notes and changelog to see if any compatibility issues have been addressed.
• Test the updated plugin on a staging site or create a backup of your website before making any changes.
• Keep an eye on your website’s functionality and performance after the update. If any issues arise, revert to the previous version and contact the plugin developer for assistance.

By staying vigilant and proactive, you can minimize compatibility issues and ensure a smooth update process for your WordPress plugins.

Tools to help you update old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins

There are several tools available that can help you update old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins, such as WordPress security plugins, plugin update checker plugins, and vulnerability scanning tools.

WordPress security plugins

WordPress security plugins are essential tools for safeguarding your website from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

These plugins offer a range of features such as malware scanning, firewall protection, login security, and file integrity monitoring.

Some popular security plugins include Sucuri, Wordfence, and iThemes Security.

By installing and configuring these plugins, you can enhance your website’s security and protect it from potential attacks.

WordPress plugin update checker plugins

WordPress plugin update checker plugins are useful tools that automatically monitor and notify you when plugin updates are available. They save you time by eliminating the need to manually check for updates.

Some popular examples of plugin update checker plugins are Easy Updates Manager and WP Updates Notifier.

These tools ensure that your plugins are always up to date, helping to prevent security vulnerabilities and improve the overall performance of your website.

Vulnerability scanning tools

Vulnerability scanning tools play a crucial role in maintaining the security of your WordPress website.

These tools scan your site for vulnerabilities, such as outdated plugins or insecure configurations, and provide you with a detailed report.

Some popular vulnerability scanning tools for WordPress include WPScan, Sucuri, and Nessus.

Using these tools regularly can help you identify and fix security issues before they are exploited by attackers.

Remember, keeping your WordPress core and plugins up to date is essential for a secure website.

Frequently Asked Questions about updating old vulnerable WordPress core/plugins

Should I update my WordPress core/plugins immediately once an update is available?

Yes, you should update your WordPress core/plugins immediately once an update is available.

Updating ensures that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes, protecting your website from vulnerabilities.

It also helps maintain optimal performance and compatibility with other plugins and themes.

Don’t delay, update as soon as possible.

What should I do if updating a plugin breaks my website?

If updating a plugin breaks your website, the first thing you should do is stay calm. Don’t panic! Here’s what you can do:

• Disable the problematic plugin: Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” section. Find the plugin that caused the issue and deactivate it. This will prevent any further damage to your website.
• Restore from backup: If you have a recent backup of your website, restore it. This will roll back your website to its previous state before the update, eliminating any issues caused by the plugin update. Make sure to test your website after the restore to ensure everything is working correctly.
• Contact the plugin developer: Reach out to the developer of the problematic plugin and let them know about the issue. They may have a solution or be aware of the problem and working on a fix. Providing them with detailed information about the issue will assist them in resolving it.
• Seek help from professionals: If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting the issue yourself, consider contacting a WordPress developer or support service. They have the expertise to identify and fix the problem, ensuring your website is up and running smoothly again.

Remember, it’s essential to regularly backup your website and keep your plugins updated to minimize the risks of encountering these issues.

How often should I check for updates?

Check for updates regularly, at least once a week, to ensure your WordPress core and plugins are up to date. This is important because updates often include security patches to fix vulnerabilities.

Consider setting a specific day or time each week for checking updates, or utilize automatic update features if available.

Are there any risks in updating my WordPress core or plugins?

Updating your WordPress core or plugins can come with some risks.

The main risk is that an update could potentially break your website’s functionality or cause compatibility issues with other plugins or themes.

It’s important to back up your files and database before updating to minimize the impact if something goes wrong.

It’s also crucial to test and verify the updated core or plugins to ensure everything works properly.

Monitoring compatibility issues and staying informed about patch releases and vulnerability reports can help mitigate risks as well.

Final Verdict

Updating old vulnerable WordPress core and plugins is of utmost importance for the security and stability of your website. Running outdated versions puts you at risk of potential security breaches, compromising sensitive data and damaging your online reputation.

By following best practices such as regular updates, keeping track of vulnerability reports, and using helpful tools like security plugins and vulnerability scanning tools, you can ensure a safer and more secure WordPress website.

Remember to always back up your website before updating and test the updates thoroughly to avoid any compatibility issues. Stay proactive and prioritize the security of your WordPress site.

Shane Galvin

Shane Galvin is the founder of Blue Ocean Web Care, a WordPress maintenance and optimization company based in Rochester, NY. With 15+ years of experience in WordPress site security, speed optimization, and SEO, Shane utilizes his expertise to help clients build effective websites. His ultimate goal is to build fast, user-friendly websites that instill confidence and trust for clients.