From experience, I know the security vulnerabilities in outdated WordPress versions, plugins, and themes can only advise people not to assume being hacked won’t ever happen to your website.

1. Outdated Software Is a Magnet for Hackers

WordPress and plugin developers release updates, primarily to patch a security vulnerability. When vulnerabilities become public knowledge (after the update), hackers know exactly where to exploit older, unpatched versions. 

2. Updates Aren’t Just for New Features—They’re for Security

Many site owners think updates add new features or tweak the design.
The reality is that security patches make up the majority of updates.
According to WordPress security reports, a staggering 92% of known vulnerabilities are linked to outdated plugins. 

3. Plugins and Themes: Often the Weakest Link

Plugins and themes make WordPress flexible, but open the door to risk.
Don’t let updates pile up.
A security plugin like Jetpack or Sucuri can alert you to updates and help manage potential risks. Just check and run updates as required.

4. Regular Updates Reduce Future Headaches

Whilst inconvenient and another process to implement or delegate it’s less disruptive than the stress and consequences of a hacked site. Restoring a hacked site takes time and resources that can be avoided.

Conclusion: Embrace Updates as Essential Maintenance

WordPress is an amazing platform, but its popularity makes it a target.
Treat updates as non-negotiable maintenance