What is Application Scanning?

This article explains SiteLock's application scanning feature, which helps protect your website by identifying vulnerabilities in installed applications, themes, and plugins. Learn how SiteLock scans for issues, what types of vulnerabilities it detects, and how you can keep your site secure.

• What is it?
• What vulnerabilities does the application scan look for?
• How does SiteLock protect me?
• What can I do about it?
   

What is it?

Application scanning will analyze the applications you've installed on your website against known vulnerabilities. As application versions age, such as Joomla! 4.0 or WordPress 5.3.2, they become further vulnerable to compromises that allow attackers to exploit them. Therefore, developers of these applications release new versions with these flaws patched. It is critical that your applications are up to date to avoid any vulnerabilities that may be exploited and result in defaced or damaged websites. SiteLock compares your application version against catalogs of vulnerabilities to ensure you are running the safest versions for your site.

What vulnerabilities does the application scan look for?

The application scan analyzes your open source applications (Joomla!, WordPress, and Drupal) against an extensive database of known vulnerabilities. It looks for outdated core applications, themes, and plugins, as well as vulnerabilities in current versions.

How does SiteLock protect me?

If a vulnerability is discovered during this analysis, SiteLock will automatically patch the vulnerability to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting the issue.

What can I do about it?

Make sure any applications you use, as well as their themes and plugins, are updated each time security patches are released. Take advantage of automatic updates and Managed WordPress type plans wherever possible. Use a SiteLock service that includes Application vulnerability scans.