WooCommerce powers millions of online stores worldwide. Yet one of the biggest prejudices around WooCommerce is:

“WooCommerce isn’t safe and gets hacked easily.”

The truth is more nuanced.

WooCommerce itself is not inherently insecure, but like any powerful platform, it requires proper maintenance.
That’s exactly where a professional WooCommerce maintenance service comes in.

In this article, we’ll explain:

1. Why people say WooCommerce is not safe
2. How hackers actually get access to stores
3. 5 practical tips to keep your WooCommerce store safe and up to date

Why do people say WooCommerce is not safe?

WooCommerce often gets blamed when a store is compromised. But in most cases, the real cause lies elsewhere.

Here are the main reasons behind this reputation.

1. WooCommerce is extremely popular

Popularity attracts attention. Because WooCommerce runs such a large share of online stores:

• Hackers target it more often
• Vulnerabilities are searched for more actively
• Automated attacks scan for outdated installations

This doesn’t mean WooCommerce is unsafe, it means it’s a common target.

2. Outdated plugins and themes

The most common cause of hacked WooCommerce stores is outdated software. Many store owners:

• Delay updates because they fear breaking the site
• Ignore minor updates
• Don’t realize how fast vulnerabilities are discovered

Hackers don’t “break into WooCommerce”, they exploit known issues in outdated plugins or themes.

3. Too many plugins, little oversight

WooCommerce stores often rely on many plugins for:

• Payments
• Shipping
• Marketing
• Filters
• Design

Each plugin increases the attack surface. Without active maintenance, it becomes difficult to keep everything secure.

4. Cheap or misconfigured hosting

Security doesn’t stop at WordPress. Poor hosting setups often lack:

• Proper firewalls
• Malware scanning
• Server-level security hardening
• Timely PHP updates

In these cases, even a well-maintained WooCommerce store can be at risk. When choosing a WooCommerce hosting plan at Woosa, we will take care of plugin updates. View our hosting plans here from €39.00 a month.

How to keep hackers outside

Hackers rarely “hack” in the way people imagine. Most attacks are:

• Automated
• Opportunistic
• Based on known vulnerabilities

That means prevention is mostly about discipline, not complexity.

A proper WooCommerce maintenance service focuses on three layers:

1. Keeping software up to date

Security patches are released constantly. When updates are ignored:

• Vulnerabilities remain open
• Exploits become public knowledge
• Automated bots start targeting your site

Timely updates close the door before attackers can step in.

2. Reducing the attack surface

The fewer unnecessary components you run:

• The fewer entry points exist
• The easier it is to monitor security
• The lower the risk of hidden vulnerabilities

Maintenance is not only about adding tools, it’s also about removing what you don’t need.

3. Monitoring and early detection

No system is 100% immune. That’s why ongoing monitoring matters:

• Detecting unusual behavior early
• Identifying compromised files
• Responding before damage spreads

Security is not a one-time setup, it’s an ongoing process.

4. Take safety measurements

You can install the free Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin to enable important security features:

• Change the /wp-admin login URL to something custom
• Limit login attempts
• Require 2FA for administrator accounts

In this way, hackers can’t follow the default route. This will not make it impossible, but it will make it more difficult.

Tips to keep your WooCommerce store safe

Below are five practical, maintenance-focused tips that significantly improve WooCommerce security.

1. Keep WordPress, WooCommerce and plugins up to date

This is the single most important step.

Updates often include:

• Security fixes
• Bug fixes
• Compatibility improvements

A WooCommerce maintenance service ensures:

• Updates are tested
• Conflicts are detected early
• Your store stays stable and secure

2. Remove unused plugins and themes

Inactive plugins and themes can still be exploited.

Best practice:

• Delete anything you’re not using
• Keep only one active theme
• Remove old or abandoned plugins

Less code means less risk.

3. Use secure, WooCommerce-optimized hosting

Good hosting provides:

• Server-level firewalls
• Malware scanning
• Automatic backups
• Isolated environments

This forms the foundation of a secure store.

4. Use strong access control

Many breaches start with weak credentials.

Basic but critical steps:

• Strong, unique passwords
• Limited admin users
• Correct user roles and permissions
• Two-factor authentication for admins

These measures prevent simple but effective attacks.

5. Perform regular backups and checks

Even with the best precautions, things can go wrong.

A proper maintenance routine includes:

• Automated daily backups
• Regular integrity checks
• The ability to restore quickly

Backups turn potential disasters into minor inconveniences.

Final thoughts why a WooCommerce Maintenance Service matters

WooCommerce is not unsafe. Unmaintained WooCommerce stores are.

The platform itself is actively developed, reviewed and improved. But it relies on store owners to:

• Apply updates
• Monitor security
• Keep the ecosystem clean and controlled

A professional WooCommerce maintenance service ensures your store:

• Stays secure
• Remains compatible
• Performs reliably
• Is prepared for future growth

Instead of reacting to problems, maintenance allows you to prevent them entirely, which is always the safest approach.