WordPress Security

To prevent SQL injection in WordPress, use the `$wpdb->prepare()` method for all database queries. This function securely escapes user-supplied data, ensuring malicious SQL commands cannot be executed by your plugin or theme code.

The best way to secure WordPress is implementing the Security Trinity: sanitize input, validate data, and escape output. Use functions like `sanitize_text_field` for incoming data and context-specific escaping functions for safe HTML, JavaScript, or URL display.

Nonces and capabilities prevent CSRF and privilege escalation by verifying user intent and authorization. Nonces validate that requests are intentionally submitted by the authenticated user, while capability checks ensure users only perform actions their specific role permits.

Protect your WordPress plugin from XSS vulnerabilities by properly escaping all output before rendering it in HTML, JavaScript, or URL contexts. This ensures any malicious scripts submitted through user input are safely neutralized during display.

You should use `$wpdb->prepare()` whenever your WordPress database query includes any variables or user-submitted data. Direct queries are unsafe because they do not automatically escape input, leaving your application vulnerable to SQL injection attacks.