Introduction: The State of Website Security in 2026
There are several layers to the security of any website. In 2026, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, more frequent, and more costly. The average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million globally, and small businesses are increasingly targeted because they often lack enterprise-level security measures.
Hackers can attempt to infiltrate any of these layers, but by taking the security precautions mentioned below and keeping all of your website software up to date, you limit your risk significantly.
2026 Cybersecurity Reality: 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. 60% of small companies go out of business within 6 months of a cyberattack. The average website is attacked 94 times per day. 92.3% of websites have at least one critical vulnerability. Nothing technology-related can ever be 100% secure, so the objective is to minimize your risk and have a plan in place should something happen.
The 5 Layers of Website Security
Website security is built on multiple layers, each protecting against different types of threats. Here's the WordPress-specific overview on how to establish website privacy and security:
🖥️ Layer 1: Physical Server & Hosting
The physical server the website software is running on
🔒 Layer 2: SSL/TLS Encryption
Data being sent to/from your website encrypted via HTTPS
⚙️ Layer 3: WordPress Core
The WordPress operating system itself, updated regularly for security patches
🎨 Layer 4: Theme Security
The theme that controls the look & feel of your website
🔌 Layer 5: Plugins
Various plugins for contact forms, sliders, functionality, etc.
SSL Certificates & HTTPS Encryption
The data being sent to/from your website should be encrypted via an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate. This adds the https:// to your URL and displays the lock icon in browsers.
Google now uses HTTPS as a ranking signal, and Chrome marks non-HTTPS sites as "Not Secure," which damages visitor trust.
2026 SSL Best Practices
| SSL Type | Validation Level | Best For | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Validated (DV) | Domain ownership only | Small business websites, blogs | $0-60 (often free via Let's Encrypt) |
| Organization Validated (OV) | Business verification required | E-commerce, professional services | $50-200 |
| Extended Validation (EV) | Rigorous business verification | Healthcare, finance, enterprise | $150-500 |
| Wildcard SSL | Covers unlimited subdomains | Multi-site businesses | $100-400 |
2026 Update: Most hosting providers (including GoDaddy, SiteGround, WP Engine) now include free SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt with automatic renewal. You should not need to pay $64/year for basic SSL anymore unless you need OV or EV validation for compliance reasons.
How to Check if Your SSL is Working
- Browser check: Look for the padlock icon in the address bar
- SSL Labs test: Use Qualys SSL Labs for a free security grade (aim for A or A+)
- HTTPS redirect: Ensure all HTTP traffic redirects to HTTPS automatically
- Mixed content check: Use Chrome DevTools to find any insecure resources loading on HTTPS pages
- Expiration monitoring: Set up alerts 30 days before SSL certificate expires
WordPress Core, Theme & Plugin Updates
The WordPress operating system itself is updated regularly, and often for security patches. When an update is released it needs to be installed on your site ASAP.
Critical Security Stat: 52% of hacked WordPress sites were vulnerable due to outdated plugins. 36% were due to outdated WordPress core. Only 12% were due to weak passwords. Updates aren't optional—they're your first line of defense.
WordPress Update Priority Matrix
| Component | Update Frequency | Priority | Auto-Update Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress Core | Every 2-4 weeks | Critical (within 48 hours) | Yes (minor releases) |
| Security Plugins | Weekly | Critical (within 24 hours) | Yes |
| Theme | Monthly | High (within 1 week) | Yes |
| Functionality Plugins | Bi-weekly | High (within 1 week) | Yes (use caution) |
| Premium/Custom Plugins | Varies | Medium (test first) | Not recommended |
Managed WordPress Hosting vs. Business Hosting
If you have a managed WordPress plan with GoDaddy (or similar providers like WP Engine, Kinsta, SiteGround), they will handle core updates automatically. If you have a business hosting plan, then updates need to be handled as part of your website maintenance plan.
What We Recommend for 2026:
- ✓ Managed WordPress hosting for automatic core updates, staging environments, and built-in security
- ✓ Staging site testing before applying theme/plugin updates to production
- ✓ Child themes to preserve customizations during parent theme updates
- ✓ Plugin audit quarterly—remove unused plugins, replace abandoned ones
- ✓ Update monitoring via tools like ManageWP, MainWP, or your hosting dashboard
Secure Hosting & Server Protection
The physical server the website software is running on is your foundation. We recommend hosting at GoDaddy or similar reputable providers. Here are the key security features to look for:
2026 Hosting Security Checklist
| Security Feature | What It Does | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your site | Critical |
| DDoS Protection | Prevents downtime from distributed denial-of-service attacks | Critical |
| Malware Scanning | Daily automated scans for malicious code | High |
| Automatic Backups | Daily backups with 1-click restore | Critical |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Required for hosting account access | High |
| PHP Version Management | Run latest stable PHP version (8.3+ in 2026) | High |
| SSH/SFTP Access | Secure file transfer (no plain FTP) | Medium |
| Isolated Environments | Containerized hosting prevents cross-site contamination | Medium |
Backup & Disaster Recovery
That plan includes backing up your website regularly (done by GoDaddy with a Managed WordPress account or by us if you have a business hosting account) and having a malware protection plan in place.
Hackers sometimes go after websites just to show they can, but they are more likely going after data. Although any cloud-based software you use will be backing up your data, it would still be a good idea for you to maintain an external backup somewhere and to keep it updated.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
Industry Standard: Keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy stored offsite. For WordPress: (1) Your live site, (2) Hosting provider backups, (3) Your own external backup (Google Drive, Amazon S3, or dedicated backup service).
2026 Backup Best Practices
- Daily automated backups: Full site + database, stored for minimum 30 days
- Real-time backups: For e-commerce sites, consider real-time backup plugins like BlogVault or Jetpack Backup
- Offsite storage: Backups should be stored separately from your hosting (Amazon S3, Google Cloud, Backblaze)
- Test restores quarterly: Verify backups actually work by restoring to a staging site
- Pre-update backups: Always backup before applying major updates
- Retention policy: Keep daily backups for 30 days, weekly for 3 months, monthly for 1 year
Privacy Compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS
Now as for privacy, you'll need to comply with various regulations depending on your industry and location. We're not attorneys so can't legally advise on compliance with any regulations, but we can tell you what we do and what most of our clients do.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
GDPR is focused on advising people how you will use their data before they give it to you and then of course making sure that their data is protected.
GDPR Compliance Checklist for Websites:
- ☐ Privacy Policy: Publish a clear privacy policy explaining what data you collect and how it's used
- ☐ Cookie Consent: Use a cookie consent banner that requires active opt-in (not pre-checked boxes)
- ☐ Data Minimization: Only collect data you actually need
- ☐ Right to Access: Allow users to request copies of their data
- ☐ Right to Deletion: Allow users to request data deletion ("right to be forgotten")
- ☐ Data Portability: Allow users to export their data in machine-readable format
- ☐ Breach Notification: Have a plan to notify users within 72 hours of a data breach
- ☐ Third-Party Compliance: Ensure all plugins and services you use are GDPR-compliant
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
If you're a healthcare organization then you're also subject to HIPAA. This has both online and offline implications.
Protected Health Information (PHI) includes even associating the name of a patient with a provider, something that may come into play, even as you're gathering testimonials.
HIPAA Warning: Your attorney can provide guidance on what approvals you'll need. When it comes to your website, you'll want to make sure that you aren't capturing any health info (including naming doctors or complaints) on a non-HIPAA compliant form. If you want to ask someone to describe any health concerns, that form will need to be HIPAA compliant so that all data is encrypted end-to-end. Standard WordPress forms are NOT HIPAA-compliant.
HIPAA-Compliant Form Options
- HIPAA-compliant form plugins: JotForm HIPAA, FormDr, PatientPop
- Encrypted email: Hushmail.com or ProtonMail for secure communication
- BAA agreements: Ensure all vendors sign Business Associate Agreements
- Access controls: Limit who on your team can access PHI
- Audit logs: Track who accessed what data and when
- Team training: Everyone on your team should be HIPAA certified
PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)
If you have an eCommerce function on your website that is cloud-based such as via Shopify, then they are responsible for encryption of credit card data so you can be compliant with PCI regulations. With WooCommerce your merchant account will provide this capability.
However, this also means that within your office you should not be storing credit card numbers unencrypted.
PCI-DSS Quick Compliance Tips
- Never store CVV codes: It's prohibited to store card verification values after authorization
- Use payment gateways: Stripe, PayPal, Square handle PCI compliance for you
- Encrypt stored data: If you must store card data, use strong encryption (AES-256)
- Secure transmission: All payment data must be transmitted over HTTPS/TLS
- Regular scans: Quarterly external vulnerability scans by approved vendors
- Access control: Limit card data access to essential personnel only
Password Management & Access Control
Internally, it's also a good idea to keep your passwords secure. For our team we use password managers like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. This allows team members to access your accounts without actually seeing the logins.
2026 Password Security Best Practices
| Practice | Why It Matters | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Password Manager | Generates and stores unique, complex passwords | LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Adds second verification layer | Google Authenticator, Authy, hardware keys |
| Password Complexity | Prevents brute-force attacks | Minimum 16 characters, mix of types |
| No Password Reuse | Prevents credential stuffing attacks | Unique password for every account |
| Regular Rotation | Limits damage from undetected breaches | Every 90 days for critical accounts |
| Role-Based Access | Limits damage from compromised accounts | Give minimum necessary permissions |
WordPress-Specific Security Hardening
- Change default "admin" username: Create new admin user, delete old "admin" account
- Limit login attempts: Use plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to prevent brute-force attacks
- Hide WordPress version: Remove version number from source code
- Disable file editing: Add
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);to wp-config.php - Use security plugins: Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security for firewall and malware scanning
- Implement reCAPTCHA: On login and contact forms to prevent bot submissions
Conclusion: Your Security Action Plan
How to establish website privacy and security can be quite complex! Most organizations impacted by multiple security and privacy regulations assign a role to oversee the various areas and consult with attorneys as needed to make sure they are compliant.
Your 30-Day Website Security Sprint
- Week 1: Audit your hosting plan, enable SSL, set up automatic backups
- Week 2: Update WordPress core, theme, and all plugins. Install security plugin.
- Week 3: Implement two-factor authentication, password manager, and access controls
- Week 4: Review privacy policy, add cookie consent, ensure compliance (GDPR/HIPAA/PCI)
Our Website Maintenance Plans: We'll recommend a specific plan once we settle on your GoDaddy hosting plan so we'll know how much will be left for us to handle. Our plans include regular updates, security monitoring, backups, and malware removal if needed.
Need Help Securing Your Website?
Our team specializes in WordPress security, compliance, and ongoing maintenance. We'll audit your current setup and implement a comprehensive security strategy tailored to your business needs.
Schedule Your Security AuditLearn more about our Website Maintenance Plans
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