Why WordPress Plugin Updates Matter: Protect Your Site and Improve Performance

If you’re like many small business owners, it’s easy to overlook those plugin update notifications in your WordPress dashboard. You might assume updates happen automatically, or that skipping a few won’t matter. But failing to stay on top of plugin updates leaves your site open to security breaches, SEO damage, and costly downtime.

Here’s why managing plugin updates is critical for protecting your WordPress site—and your business.

7 Powerful Reasons to Keep Your WordPress Plugins Updated

Every update you apply helps keep your site secure and running smoothly. Here’s why it matters:

1. Plugins and Themes Are the Biggest Source of WordPress Vulnerabilities

In 2024, over 96% of all WordPress vulnerabilities came from plugins and themes, not from core WordPress code.¹ Hackers target these components because they’re where most of the weaknesses are found.

2. Outdated Plugins Are the Top Reason for Reports of Vulnerabilities

Hostinger reports that 92% of WordPress vulnerability reports involve outdated plugins.² This data focuses specifically on unpatched plugins—not themes or core WordPress. Keeping plugins up to date closes the most common entry point attackers use.

3. Outdated Plugins Are a Major Contributor to Overall Vulnerabilities

Astra’s 2025 study found 52% of all WordPress vulnerabilities traced back specifically to outdated plugins.³ While different from Hostinger’s reporting data, both highlight the major role outdated plugins play. Regardless of the study, outdated plugins consistently show up as a top risk to your site.

4. Attacks Are Constant and Automated

WordPress sites face attacks every 22 minutes on average.² Many of these attacks are automated bots scanning for known vulnerabilities, especially in plugins that haven’t been updated. No site is too small or too niche to be targeted.

5. Vulnerabilities Emerge Constantly

2024 saw nearly 8,000 new WordPress vulnerabilities reported, with about half exploitable without login credentials.⁴ Even if your site was secure yesterday, new threats could surface today—updates keep you ahead.

6. Outdated Software Is a Major Factor in Hacks

39% of hacked CMS sites were running outdated software at the time of the breach, and nearly 50% of WordPress sites fail to keep core software updated.⁵ Falling behind on updates leaves your site vulnerable and increases cleanup costs after a breach.

7. Real Infection Risk from Outdated or Nulled Plugins

Jetpack’s 2024 scans found 70,000 WordPress sites contained at least one malicious file, often linked to outdated or illegally downloaded (nulled) plugins.⁶ Even one neglected plugin can invite malware that harms your reputation and search rankings.

Bottom line: Regular plugin updates reduce your risk, protect your search visibility, and help keep your customers’ trust.

5 Common Challenges With WordPress Plugin Updates

So, why do so many sites fall behind on updates? These challenges are common—but they can be solved.

1. Compatibility Worries

Updates can sometimes clash with themes or other plugins. Without a plan for testing, this can lead to errors or downtime.

2. Time Constraints

Staying on top of updates takes time. But skipping them can cost far more in the long run if your site is compromised.

3. Fear of Breaking the Site

It’s natural to worry an update might break something. But skipping updates out of fear often leads to bigger risks—like hacks or data loss.

4. Too Many Plugins

Over time, it’s easy to install plugins you no longer need. The more plugins you have, the more updates you’ll need to manage—and the more risk you introduce.

5. No Clear Update Process

Without a structured plan, it’s easy to miss updates or apply them in a rush, which can hurt your site’s stability and security.

To summarize: These challenges are common, but with the right plan in place, you can handle updates with confidence and keep your site secure.

4 Smart Strategies for Safe WordPress Plugin Management

Here’s how to handle updates without the stress:

1. Set a Regular Update Routine

Decide on a schedule—monthly, quarterly, or after major releases—and stick to it. Regular updates prevent issues from piling up, and the more complex the site, the more frequent the updates should be.

2. Test Updates Before Going Live

Avoid automatic updates. Instead, test updates in a staging environment to catch conflicts before they affect your live site.

3. Use Daily Off-Site Backups

Make sure your site is backed up every day to a secure, off-site location. If anything goes wrong, you can restore quickly.

4. Monitor Your Site’s Health

Tools like Wordfence and Sucuri alert you to vulnerabilities and outdated plugins so you can act fast.

Why this matters: A thoughtful, consistent update process protects your site’s security, SEO, and customer trust—and gives you peace of mind.

Want WordPress Updates Handled for You?

Staying on top of plugin updates, backups, and security monitoring doesn’t have to be stressful. Our WordPress care plans start at just $49/month and give you peace of mind knowing your site is safe, up to date, and running smoothly.

Call us at (800) 764-8528 or click here to get in touch today and let us handle the technical work so you can focus on growing your business.

Sources:

1. Patchstack. State of WordPress Security 2024. https://patchstack.com/whitepaper/state-of-wordpress-security-in-2024/
2. Hostinger. WordPress Statistics. https://www.hostinger.co.uk/tutorials/wordpress-statistics
3. SecurityWeek. 8,000 New WordPress Vulnerabilities in 2024. https://www.securityweek.com/8000-new-wordpress-vulnerabilities-reported-in-2024/
4. Kinsta. Is WordPress Secure? https://kinsta.com/blog/is-wordpress-secure/
5. Jetpack. WordPress Security Trends and Statistics 2024. https://jetpack.com/resources/wordpress-security-trends-and-statistics-2024/
6. Astra Security. 27+ Hacking Statistics for CMS. https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/hacking-statistics/