If you’re looking to find out if a deactivated WordPress Plugin can still be hacked, then you’re on the right page.
Hackers are looking for many possible ways to infiltrate WordPress Websites either by sending spam registrations, creating nulled plugins and themes, etc.
The bottom line is WordPress Hacking has been a thing for a while and thus the answer to your question.
Deactivated or Inactive Plugins are still stored on your WordPress Site’s files (wp_content > plugins > inactive plugin) and thus simply means that the Plugin’s files can still be hacked, used to install malware on your website, and get infected.
Obsolete or Inactive plugins are among the top 10 reasons why WordPress Websites are hacked to date.
Tips to Protect your Site from Plugin Hacking
Since I’ve come across a couple of WordPress Websites that have been hacked or infected with Malware because of inactive plugins, here are my recommendations:
- Do not install and activate plugins that aren’t updated frequently.
- Download plugins from Themeforest, the WordPress Repository, or from a trusted developer’s website.
- Do not Install Nulled WordPress Plugins on your site.
- Always Update your Plugins.
The tips listed above should prevent hackers from hacking into your website via inactive plugins.
It’s important to note that inactive WordPress Plugins do not pose a security threat if you update them frequently, if you don’t need a plugin, it’s better to deactivate and delete them. Leaving an inactive plugin will increase your disk space.
From my research, nulled plugins are the best medium for Hackers to hack into your website, they simply add codes that’ll create a backdoor for them.
I explained this process in my article on the dangers of using nulled WordPress Plugins and Themes on your website, make sure you read it and tell me what you think.
In Conclusion
Hackers are consistently exploiting Weaknesses in the WordPress Content Management System, it’ll be a pity for your site to be hacked just because you’re using nulled plugin or you didn’t delete an inactive plugin.
Anyways, here are more WordPress Articles That I recommend:
- How to back up your WordPress Website Manually.
- How to Speed Up WordPress Website.
- The Best WordPress Form Builder Plugins.
- The Best WordPress Backup Plugins.
If you have any questions or have anything to add on this topic, I’d like to know what you think, feel free to leave a comment below.
