More than 90,000 WordPress websites are hacked every single day worldwide. Because WordPress powers over 40% of the web, it’s a prime target for cybercriminals.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), small businesses remain one of the most targeted groups for cybercrime in Australia, with thousands of reported incidents annually ranging from phishing scams to ransomware attacks.

For Australian SMEs, website security isn’t optional — it’s a legal, financial, and reputational necessity.

At skwebsketch, we provide proactive WordPress maintenance and security hardening to protect businesses from preventable attacks.

Here’s what every Australian small business must know about securing a WordPress site in 2024.

1. WordPress Security Threats Facing Australian Businesses

Brute Force Attacks

Hackers attempt thousands of username/password combinations to break into admin panels.

Malware Injection

Malicious code can be inserted into plugins, themes, or database files.

DDoS Attacks

Distributed traffic floods servers, crashing websites and disrupting business operations.

Phishing Attempts

Fake login pages or email spoofing campaigns targeting Australian businesses.

Australian-Specific Threats

• Targeted scams against .com.au domains

• Fake invoice malware campaigns

• Credential stuffing using breached Australian databases

Real Case Example

A Melbourne-based retail SME experienced malware injection via an outdated plugin. The result: Google blacklisting, lost rankings, and weeks of downtime. Recovery cost exceeded $8,000 — far more than proactive security would have.

2. Essential Security Fundamentals

Strong Login Credentials

• Minimum 12–16 character passwords

• Uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols

• No reused passwords

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.

Regular Updates

Outdated software is the #1 cause of WordPress hacks.

Update regularly:

• WordPress core

• Plugins

• Themes

Our WordPress maintenance includes automatic security updates, vulnerability monitoring, and proactive patching to prevent exploits before they happen.

Secure Hosting

Choose reputable Australian hosting providers with:

• Server-level firewalls

• Malware scanning

• Daily backups

• Local data centres

Install SSL certificates (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) for HTTPS encryption.

User Role Management

Use correct permission levels:

• Administrator

• Editor

• Contributor

Remove unused accounts.
Follow the principle of least privilege.

3. Essential Security Plugins

Wordfence

Features:

• Firewall protection

• Malware scanning

• Login attempt limits

• Country/IP blocking

Sucuri Security

Features:

• Website integrity monitoring

• Blacklist monitoring

• Post-hack cleanup services

• CDN-level firewall (premium)

iThemes Security

Features:

• 30+ security hardening options

• Two-factor authentication

• File change detection

• Database prefix changes

Free vs Premium

Free versions provide basic protection.
Premium versions include advanced firewall rules, real-time alerts, and scheduled scanning.

For business-critical websites, premium protection is strongly recommended.

4. Backup Strategies

Backups are your insurance policy.

Backup Frequency

• Daily backups (recommended)

• Real-time backups for e-commerce

Storage Locations

• Cloud storage

• Offsite backups

• Australian data centres (for compliance)

Recommended Backup Plugins

• UpdraftPlus

• BackupBuddy

• VaultPress

Test restoration regularly. A backup is useless if it doesn’t restore properly.

5. Australian Legal & Compliance Considerations

Australian businesses must comply with:

• Privacy Act 1988

• Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme

If customer data is compromised, you may be legally required to notify affected individuals.

If serving international customers, GDPR compliance may also apply.

Cyber insurance providers often require minimum security controls before issuing coverage.

6. Monitoring & Maintenance

Security is ongoing.

Implement:

• Quarterly security audits

• Activity logging

• Uptime monitoring

• File integrity monitoring

• Weekly vulnerability scans

Proactive monitoring reduces downtime and recovery costs.

7. What to Do If Your Site Is Hacked

Immediate steps:

1. Put site into maintenance mode

2. Contact security professional

3. Scan for malware

4. Restore clean backup

5. Change all passwords

6. Notify affected customers (if required by law)

Australian cybersecurity firms can assist with forensic analysis and cleanup.

Prevention must follow recovery — otherwise reinfection is common.

8. Advanced Security Measures

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Blocks malicious traffic before reaching your server.

CDN Security

Adds distributed protection and DDoS mitigation.

Database Security

• Change default table prefix

• Restrict database user permissions

File Permissions

Correct CHMOD settings protect critical files.

Disable File Editing

Turn off theme/plugin editing inside the dashboard to reduce risk.

Conclusion

WordPress security in Australia is not a one-time setup — it’s an ongoing process. With 90,000+ daily hack attempts globally and increasing local cybercrime reports, small businesses must treat security as a core investment.

The cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of recovery, legal exposure, and reputation damage.

Concerned about your WordPress security?

Get a free security audit from our Australian team at SKWebSketch and protect your business before it becomes a statistic.