The State of Brute Force Attacks in WordPress: 2025

Brute force attacks on WordPress websites have reached unprecedented levels. According to the latest State of Brute Force Attacks in WordPress: 2025 report by Limit Login Attempts Reloaded (LLAR), the frequency and sophistication of these attacks are on the rise. Attackers can now leverage AI, automation, and even deepfake technology to breach websites.

One alarming statistic is that brute force attacks per domain have increased by 120% in 2024 alone​. Additionally, Q4 remains the most dangerous time of year, aligning with peak e-commerce activity​. The good news? Websites using LLAR Premium are blocking 97% of attacks, with a 20% improvement in efficiency​ YOY.

Below, we break down the five biggest takeaways from the report and how you can take action to secure your WordPress website.

1. Brute Force Attacks Have Increased by 120% in the Past Year

Between February and December 2024, the number of brute force attacks per domain surged by 120%​. This rapid increase highlights the growing threat landscape, fueled by automation and compromised credentials.

What This Means for You

• Attackers are increasingly targeting WordPress websites due to their widespread adoption.
• Traditional security measures (like simple CAPTCHAs) are no longer enough.
• Proactive protection, such as LLAR Premium’s country blocking and advanced login firewalls, is essential.

👉 Upgrade to LLAR Premium to gain real-time protection and enhanced security logs.

2. AI-Powered Attacks May Be At Play

It's likely that AI is now being used to bypass CAPTCHA, crack passwords, and automate large-scale attacks​. In 2024, researchers trained an object recognition model that defeated Google’s image-based reCAPTCHA v2 with a 100% success rate​. Previous AI attempts had ~70% success, but newer models can now solve CAPTCHAs perfectly​.

Home Security Heroes (a security research group) conducted an experiment using PassGAN on 15 million real passwords. They found the AI could crack over half of common passwords almost instantly​. Even 7-character passwords with mixed complexity succumbed in under 6 minutes​. This experiment, widely reported in 2023, underscored that what used to take traditional cracking tools days or weeks could be achieved in minutes with AI. It’s a clear warning that machine learning password crackers are no longer theoretical – they’re here and effective.​

How to Stay Safe

• Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Coming soon to LLAR free and premium versions. In the meantime, there are several plugins that offer 2FA protection.
• Monitor Login Logs – With LLAR Premium, you can track successful and failed login attempts in real-time.
• Enable IP Blocking – Automated bots typically come from known malicious IPs. Premium users can block entire regions if necessary.

3. Q4 Is the Most Dangerous Time for WordPress Security

The data shows that 38.3% of all brute force attacks occur in Q4​. This surge aligns with the holiday shopping season, where attackers exploit e-commerce sites and businesses operating with reduced IT oversight.

How to Prepare for Q4

• Increase login security settings before peak seasons.
• Review past attack trends using LLAR’s reporting tools.
• Ensure all WordPress plugins and themes are updated to avoid vulnerabilities.

💡 Did you know? LLAR Premium users get enhanced reporting dashboards to track attack trends and improve defense strategies.

4. Emerging Markets Are Becoming a Hotspot for Attacks

For the first time, attacks originating from U.S.-based IPs have declined, while attacks from emerging markets have grown​. This shift is likely due to increased internet adoption, cheaper cloud resources, and lower cybersecurity awareness in certain regions.

What This Means for Website Owners

• Regional blocking is more effective than ever—LLAR Premium users can block entire countries where high attack volumes originate.
• Hackers are shifting tactics, so keeping security solutions updated is critical.
• Protect sensitive user data by using strong, randomized passwords and security plugins.

👉 Upgrade to LLAR Premium for advanced country-based blocking and cloud protection.

5. 97% of Brute Force Attacks Are Blocked Before Reaching Local Database

One of the biggest successes from the report is the improvement in attack prevention. LLAR now protects nearly 3 million websites, and premium users have seen a 20% efficiency gain in attack blocking​.

Why This Matters

• Attackers are getting smarter, but LLAR is staying ahead.
• LLAR Premium blocks login attempts before they hit your database.
• With features like micro cloud protection and login tracking, website owners gain peace of mind.

💡 Did you know? LLAR is on a trajectory to have 99% blocking efficiency by end of 2025!

Final Thoughts: Take Action Before It’s Too Late

With brute force attacks increasing at an alarming rate, website owners must take security seriously. The data speaks for itself—waiting until an attack happens is too late.

🔒 Protect your website today with LLAR Premium.

• Block 97% of brute force attacks before they even begin.
• Gain access to advanced reporting, IP blocking, and country-specific restrictions.
• Stay ahead of AI-powered cyber threats.

📌 Read the full report here: View 2025 Report and see how LLAR is shaping the future of WordPress security.

About the Author

Greg Fisher

CMO

Greg Fisher has over 20 years of digital marketing experience. Along with Alex Benko, Greg’s has owned and operated several companies including an online travel agency, tour reservation software, and web host. Greg’s responsibilities at LLAR include marketing and user expansion.