Outdated plugins are a common way sites get compromised. Security Ninja’s “Check if plugins are up to date” test (plugins_ver_check) compares installed plugin versions to the latest versions available from the WordPress.org plugin directory (and flags what it can detect as behind).
Why updates matter
Plugin updates often include security patches. Leaving known-vulnerable versions installed increases risk. Updates can also fix bugs and improve compatibility with WordPress core.
How to run the test
- Go to WP Security Ninja → Security Tests.
- Run Check if plugins are up to date.
- For any flagged plugin, update from Dashboard → Updates or Plugins, after taking a backup.
Abandoned or rarely updated plugins
If a plugin has not been updated for a long time (for example over a year), it may be abandoned. Prefer an actively maintained alternative, or confirm with the author that it is still supported. Premium/custom plugins may not update through wordpress.org, follow the vendor’s update process.
Tips
- Prefer staging when testing major updates.
- Automatic updates can help, but watch for compatibility issues on complex sites.
- Also run the vulnerability scanner for known CVEs, which is a different check from “is there a newer version?”
