Joomla powers millions of websites worldwide, and its flexibility makes it a popular choice for UK businesses, charities, and public sector organisations alike. But that same popularity makes it a target. A neglected Joomla installation can be compromised within hours of a vulnerability becoming public knowledge — so staying on top of security isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Here’s what every UK Joomla site owner should be doing.
Keep Joomla and Extensions Updated
The single most effective thing you can do is keep everything up to date. The majority of successful attacks on Joomla sites exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated core files or third-party extensions.
Log into your Joomla administrator panel regularly and check System > Update > Joomla for core updates. Do the same for your installed extensions under System > Update > Extensions. Enable update notifications by email so you’re alerted the moment a patch is released.
Be ruthless with extensions you no longer use — uninstall them entirely rather than simply disabling them. Disabled extensions can still be exploited if their files remain on the server.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Weak administrator passwords remain one of the most common entry points for attackers. Every account with backend access should use a strong, unique password — at least 16 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols.
Joomla has built-in support for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Enable it for all Super Administrator accounts via Users > Manage, then edit each user’s account. The Google Authenticator or YubiKey plugins work well and add a meaningful layer of protection against credential-stuffing attacks.
Change the Default Administrator URL
By default, your Joomla login page lives at yoursite.co.uk/administrator. Bots routinely hammer this address with automated login attempts. Changing it to something less obvious — using a plugin such as AdminExile or RSFirewall! — dramatically reduces this noise and makes targeted brute-force attacks harder.
Apply the Right File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions are a frequent source of vulnerabilities. As a general rule for UK hosting environments (typically Linux-based):
- Directories: 755
- Files: 644
- Configuration.php: 444 (read-only once configured)
Never set directories to 777. If a plugin or installer asks you to do this permanently, treat it as a red flag.
Install a Web Application Firewall
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters malicious traffic before it reaches your site. For Joomla, popular options include:
- Akeeba Admin Tools — a well-regarded UK-friendly option with a built-in WAF, .htaccess hardening, and security logging.
- RSFirewall! — comprehensive scanning and firewall rules tailored for Joomla.
- Cloudflare (free tier) — sits in front of your entire site and blocks common attack patterns at the network level.
These tools won’t replace good hosting and coding practices, but they provide a useful additional barrier.
Back Up Regularly — and Test Your Restores
Backups won’t prevent an attack, but they determine how quickly you recover from one. Akeeba Backup is the de facto standard for Joomla and allows you to schedule automated backups and store them off-site (to Amazon S3, Dropbox, or similar).
Critically, test your backups. A backup you’ve never restored is a backup you can’t trust. Schedule a quarterly restore test on a staging environment — you’ll be glad you did.
UK-Specific Considerations: GDPR and Breach Reporting
Under UK GDPR (as retained in UK law post-Brexit), if your Joomla site processes personal data and suffers a breach, you may be legally required to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours. This applies even to small businesses.
Ensure your site uses HTTPS (a free SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt is widely available through UK hosts), that contact forms and user data are stored securely, and that your privacy policy is up to date. A breached website isn’t just a technical headache — it can carry regulatory consequences.
Summary
Securing a Joomla site isn’t a one-time task. It requires regular attention: updating core and extensions, hardening access controls, configuring server permissions correctly, and maintaining a robust backup strategy. For UK businesses, the added layer of GDPR accountability makes this even more pressing.
If you’re unsure where to start, an Akeeba Admin Tools scan or a professional Joomla security audit from a UK-based developer is a worthwhile investment — far cheaper than recovering from a compromise.
For further guidance, visit the Joomla Security Strike Team or the ICO’s guidance on data breaches.