Security
WordPress attack overview 2026: the biggest threats
10 April 2025 · 6 min read
The WordPress security landscape is constantly changing. In 2026 we see new attack methods alongside the classic threats. At WP Maintainer we analyse attack patterns daily to protect our clients proactively.
In this article we share the current attack overview for 2026, based on our own data and the latest security reports.
Top 10 threats in 2026
**1. Plugin vulnerabilities (45% of all hacks)** Old or neglected plugins remain the biggest entry point for hackers. With more than 60,000 plugins in the repository there are always vulnerable ones to be found.
**2. Brute force attacks (20%)** Automated password attempts via botnets. These are becoming increasingly sophisticated with the use of leaked password databases.
**3. Supply chain attacks (15%)** Attacks via legitimate plugins and themes that have been taken over or compromised by malicious parties.
**4. Cryptojacking (10%)** Hackers use compromised servers for cryptocurrency mining. You notice this from extreme performance degradation.
**5. SEO spam (8%)** Invisible spam links and content that destroy your search engine rankings.
**6. Phishing via compromised sites (7%)** Your website is used to host phishing pages for other brands and services.
**7. Ransomware (5%)** Although less common with WordPress, ransomware for websites is increasing. Hackers encrypt files and demand ransom.
**8. API exploits (5%)** Abuse of the WordPress REST API and xmlrpc.php for unauthorised access.
**9. Session hijacking (4%)** Intercepting and abusing user sessions, especially on unsecured networks.
**10. Zero-day exploits (3%)** Attacks on still unknown vulnerabilities. These are difficult to prevent, but good security practices limit the damage.
How do you protect yourself?
The best protection is a layered model: 1. **Keep everything up to date** — the most effective measure 2. **Use a WAF** — filters malicious traffic 3. **Monitor 24/7** — early detection minimises damage 4. **Make daily backups** — your safety net 5. **Use strong, unique passwords** — with 2FA where possible 6. **Choose a reliable host** — security starts with the infrastructure
WP Maintainer protection
With our professional maintenance plan you are protected against ALL mentioned threats. Our multi-layer security is constantly updated based on the latest threat information. More than 20 years of experience gives you the certainty that your website is in good hands.