Millions of WordPress Sites Are Under Attack. Here is Why We Don't Use It.
A critical July 2026 vulnerability has left 90 million WordPress sites exposed to hackers. Here is why LOC builds attorney websites on a modern, secure stack instead.
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If your law firm's website is running on WordPress, you need to call your web developer immediately.
On July 20, 2026, TechCrunch reported that hackers are actively exploiting two critical security flaws in WordPress software [1]. The vulnerabilities, dubbed WP2Shell, allow attackers to take full remote control of affected websites. Cybersecurity researchers estimate that up to 90 million websites are currently vulnerable [1].
For a law firm, a compromised website is not just an IT headache—it is a breach of client trust, a potential ethics violation, and a catastrophic hit to your reputation. If an attacker gains remote control of your WordPress site, they can intercept client intake forms, redirect your traffic to malicious domains, or hold your digital presence for ransom.
This is exactly why Law Offices of Cleveland (LOC) refuses to build attorney websites on WordPress.
The Problem with WordPress for Law Firms
WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, but it was built in 2003 as a blogging platform. To make it do what a modern law firm needs—contact forms, SEO optimization, security, caching—developers have to bolt on dozens of third-party plugins.
Every single one of those plugins is a potential entry point for a hacker.
"Two critical security flaws in WordPress' software have given hackers the chance to remotely take over tens of millions of websites... cybersecurity companies Patchstack, Hexastrike, and WatchTowr have all warned that hackers are exploiting the vulnerabilities in the wild." — TechCrunch, July 20, 2026 [1]
To keep a WordPress site secure, someone has to log in weekly to update the core software, update the theme, and update every individual plugin. If an update breaks the site—which happens frequently—your site goes down until a developer fixes it. If you ignore the updates, you end up in the exact situation playing out today: vulnerable to automated exploits like WP2Shell.
Attorneys do not have time to be part-time server administrators.
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Schedule a tourThe Modern Stack Alternative
When LOC builds a website for a solo attorney or small firm, we do not use WordPress, PHP, or vulnerable database-driven CMS platforms.
We build on the "modern stack." This means your site is pre-rendered as static, lightning-fast code and served directly to your clients from a global content delivery network (CDN).
Why This Matters for Your Practice
- Zero Attack Surface: Because there is no underlying database exposed to the public internet, and no third-party plugins running executable code on every page load, exploits like WP2Shell simply cannot affect your site. There is nothing for a hacker to log into.
- Lightning Fast: WordPress has to assemble the page from a database every time a client clicks a link. Our modern stack sites are pre-built. They load in milliseconds, which Google explicitly rewards in search rankings.
- Zero Maintenance Burden: You never have to click "Update Plugin." You never have to worry that a PHP update will break your contact form. LOC handles the hosting, the security, and the code.
The LOC Website Guarantee: If you are tired of paying a developer $150 an hour just to keep your WordPress site from breaking, LOC offers a complete alternative. We design, build, and host modern, fast, secure websites for attorneys starting at $199/month, with no long-term contracts.
What You Should Do Today
If you are currently running a WordPress site:
- Log in immediately and check your WordPress version. The WP2Shell vulnerability affects versions 6.9.0 through 6.9.4, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.1 [1].
- Update your core software to the latest patched version.
- Update all plugins and remove any that are inactive or abandoned by their developers.
If you are tired of the constant maintenance and security anxiety, it is time to move off legacy technology. Your law firm's digital front door should be a fortress, not a liability.
At LOC, we build websites that let you focus on practicing law, not patching plugins. See our pricing and portfolio here.
References
[1] TechCrunch, "Hackers are exploiting recently patched WordPress bugs, putting millions of websites at risk," July 20, 2026. https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/20/hackers-are-exploiting-recently-patched-wordpress-bugs-putting-millions-of-websites-at-risk/
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress safe for law firm websites?
WordPress can be secured, but it requires constant, active maintenance. Because it relies heavily on third-party plugins, it has a massive attack surface. If core software or plugins are not updated weekly, the site becomes vulnerable to automated exploits like the July 2026 WP2Shell vulnerability.
What is the WP2Shell vulnerability?
WP2Shell refers to critical security flaws patched by WordPress in July 2026 that affect versions 6.9.0–6.9.4 and 7.0.0–7.0.1. When exploited, it allows hackers to take full remote control of the vulnerable website. Researchers estimate up to 90 million sites were exposed.
What does LOC use instead of WordPress?
LOC builds attorney websites using a modern stack (static site generation and headless architecture). This eliminates the need for a traditional database and vulnerable plugins, resulting in a site that is significantly faster, inherently secure against CMS exploits, and requires zero maintenance from the attorney.
How much does a new law firm website cost with LOC?
LOC offers website packages starting at a $750 one-time setup fee and $199/month for hosting, security, and content edits. We operate on month-to-month agreements with no long-term lock-in.
Come see the floor.
Twenty minutes. We'll show you the available offices and help you work out which membership actually fits.
Schedule a tourThis article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Law Offices of Cleveland is an office-sharing provider, not a law firm, and does not provide legal services. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone. Written and edited with AI assistance; reviewed by LOC.
