A recent study has highlighted critical security vulnerabilities in multiple tunneling protocols, exposing 4.2 million hosts, including VPN servers, routers, and mobile network gateways, to potential cyberattacks. Conducted by Top10VPN in collaboration with Mathy Vanhoef, a professor and researcher from KU Leuven, the research warns of significant risks stemming from inadequately secured tunneling protocols.
“Internet hosts that accept tunneling packets without verifying the sender’s identity can be hijacked to perform anonymous attacks and provide unauthorized access to their networks,” Top10VPN reported.
The study found that millions of hosts, such as VPN servers, ISP home routers, core internet routers, content delivery network (CDN) nodes, and mobile network gateways, are susceptible to exploitation. The most affected countries include China, France, Japan, the United States, and Brazil.
Attack Mechanisms and Potential Impacts
The vulnerabilities identified could enable attackers to abuse affected systems for various malicious activities. These include using the systems as one-way proxies, spoofing source IPv4/6 addresses, and executing denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. According to an advisory from the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC), such vulnerabilities could also allow adversaries to infiltrate an organization’s private network or leverage vulnerable systems to conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
“An adversary can exploit these security flaws to create one-way proxies and spoof IP addresses, bypassing network filters and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive networks,” CERT/CC emphasized.
Root Causes of Vulnerabilities
The primary issue lies in the tunneling protocols—such as IP6IP6, GRE6, 4in6, and 6in4—which are designed to facilitate data transfers between disconnected networks. These protocols lack built-in mechanisms for authentication and encryption, making them vulnerable to malicious traffic injection when not paired with robust security measures like Internet Protocol Security (IPsec).
This flaw is not entirely new. A similar vulnerability was flagged in 2020 under the CVE-2020-10136 identifier. The recent study assigns new CVE identifiers to the vulnerabilities in question:
CVE-2024-7595 – GRE and GRE6
CVE-2024-7596 – Generic UDP Encapsulation
CVE-2025-23018 – IPv4-in-IPv6 and IPv6-in-IPv6
CVE-2025-23019 – IPv6-in-IPv4
Exploitation Methodology
Simon Migliano of Top10VPN explained the exploitation process: “An attacker only needs to send a packet encapsulated using one of the affected protocols with two IP headers. The outer header contains the attacker’s source IP with the vulnerable host’s IP as the destination. The inner header’s source IP is that of the vulnerable host, while the destination IP is the target of the attack.”
Upon receiving such a malicious packet, the vulnerable host automatically removes the outer IP header and forwards the inner packet to its intended destination. Because the source IP address on the inner packet matches that of the trusted host, it easily bypasses network filters, enabling attackers to exploit the system for anonymous and potentially destructive actions.
Recommended Mitigation Measures
To mitigate these vulnerabilities, experts recommend implementing robust security protocols. Some of the key defenses include:
Using IPsec or WireGuard: These protocols provide essential authentication and encryption, ensuring the integrity of tunneling packets.
Restricting Packet Acceptance: Only accept tunneling packets from trusted and verified sources to minimize exposure.
Traffic Filtering: Deploy traffic filtering measures on routers and middleboxes to block unauthorized or malicious traffic.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Utilize DPI techniques to analyze and filter tunneling packets more effectively.
Blocking Unencrypted Tunneling Packets: Ensure that all tunneling traffic is encrypted and authenticated to prevent malicious exploitation.
Broader Implications
The potential impact of these vulnerabilities is far-reaching. Victims of DoS attacks may experience network congestion, service disruptions, and even crashes of overloaded network devices. Additionally, attackers could exploit these flaws to carry out man-in-the-middle attacks and intercept sensitive data.
“The consequences for victims include network congestion, service interruptions, and resource exhaustion caused by traffic overload. In severe cases, these attacks could lead to device crashes and open avenues for further exploitation,” Migliano cautioned.
The study underscores the need for organizations and individuals to proactively secure their systems against such vulnerabilities. Given the critical role of tunneling protocols in modern networking, ensuring robust security measures is imperative to protect against evolving cyber threats.
A broken theme in WordPress can disrupt the entire look and functionality of your website, leaving you with errors, missing elements, or even a blank screen. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re unsure of the cause. Themes can break due to several reasons, such as incomplete updates, plugin conflicts, or custom code errors. Regardless of the reason, fixing a broken theme promptly is essential to keep your website running smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common causes of broken themes and practical methods to fix them. Whether you’re dealing with a white screen of death or layout issues, these step-by-step solutions will help you troubleshoot and restore your site without losing important data.
Common Signs of a Broken WordPress Theme
If your WordPress theme is broken, your website will likely display some noticeable issues. Identifying these signs early can help you pinpoint the problem and fix it before things get worse. Below are some common signs that indicate your WordPress theme might be broken:
1. Blank or White Screen (White Screen of Death)
One of the most frustrating issues is when your website suddenly turns into a blank white screen. This is often caused by PHP errors, memory limit exhaustion, or issues in your theme’s code. Without proper error messages, it can be difficult to know what went wrong.
2. Error Messages on the Frontend
Sometimes, instead of a blank screen, you might see error messages like:
“Parse error: syntax error…”
“Fatal error: Call to undefined function…” These errors usually indicate that something is wrong in the theme files, such as missing functions or incorrect code.
3. Layout Issues or Missing Elements
If your site’s layout looks broken or certain elements like menus, images, or widgets are missing, it could mean the theme’s CSS or JavaScript files are not loading properly. This often happens due to file corruption or incomplete updates.
4. Site Crashes After an Update
Did your site stop working right after updating the theme or WordPress core? This is a common issue caused by compatibility problems between your theme, plugins, or the new version of WordPress.
5. Theme Customizer Not Working
When you try to open the Theme Customizer, but it doesn’t load or throws an error, it’s a clear sign that something in your theme is broken. This could be due to a JavaScript error or a missing customizer function in the theme.
Pre-Fix Checklist
Before jumping into fixing your broken WordPress theme, it’s important to take a few precautionary steps to ensure you don’t lose any valuable data and can easily recover if something goes wrong. Below is a quick checklist to follow before applying any fixes:
1. Backup Your Site
Always create a full backup of your WordPress website, including the database and all files. This ensures that if something goes wrong during the fixing process, you can restore your site to its previous state. You can use backup plugins like:
UpdraftPlus
BackupBuddy
All-in-One WP Migration
2. Enable Debug Mode
WordPress has a built-in debugging tool that helps display error messages, making it easier to identify what’s causing the issue. To enable debug mode:
Open the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
Add or update the following line: php define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );
This will display errors directly on your website, helping you pinpoint the source of the problem.
3. Check for Recent Changes
Think about what actions you performed before the theme broke. This could include:
Updating the theme or a plugin
Installing a new plugin
Editing theme files or adding custom code If you can identify a specific change, it might help narrow down the issue quickly.
4. Deactivate Caching
If you’re using a caching plugin, clear the cache and temporarily disable the plugin. Cached files can sometimes cause outdated or broken versions of your theme to display incorrectly.
5. Ensure File Permissions Are Correct
Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from loading theme files properly. Use an FTP client or your hosting panel’s file manager to ensure that files have 644 permissions and directories have 755.
Methods to Fix a Broken Theme in WordPress
Method 1: Deactivate All Plugins
Plugin conflicts often cause theme issues. To check if a plugin is the problem, deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one. Go to the dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, select all plugins, and choose Deactivate from the bulk actions menu. If the theme starts working, reactivate plugins individually to find the culprit. If the dashboard is inaccessible, rename the plugins folder in wp-content using an FTP client or file manager.
Method 2: Revert to a Default Theme
Switching to a default WordPress theme helps identify whether the issue is specific to your current theme. Go to Appearance > Themes, activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three, and check if the problem resolves. If the issue disappears, reinstalling or updating the problematic theme might help.
Method 3: Update or Reinstall the Theme
An incomplete or corrupted theme update can cause errors. Updating or reinstalling the theme can fix the problem. To update, go to Appearance > Themes, select your theme, and click Update Now if available. To reinstall, download the theme from its original source, and replace the existing theme files using an FTP client or file manager.
Method 4: Check for Code Errors
If you recently added custom code to your theme, there might be syntax errors. Use an FTP client or file manager to access theme files such as functions.php or header.php. Look for errors and correct them. If unsure, copy the code into an online PHP syntax checker to validate it.
Method 5: Restore Missing or Corrupted Files
Missing or corrupted theme files can break your website. Download a fresh copy of the theme, compare it with your existing files, and upload any missing or corrupted files via FTP. This ensures your theme is complete and functioning correctly.
Method 6: Increase PHP Memory Limit
A common cause of theme issues is memory exhaustion, especially for large or complex themes. To increase the PHP memory limit, open wp-config.php in the root directory, and add define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ ); before the “That’s all, stop editing!” line. Save the changes and check if it resolves the problem.
Method 7: Contact the Theme Developer
If you are using a premium theme and the issue persists, contact the theme developer. They can provide expert assistance and guide you on how to fix the problem. Many theme developers offer support for bugs or compatibility issues.
Following these methods will help you troubleshoot and fix a broken WordPress theme. If none of them work, restoring your site from a backup or consulting a WordPress expert is recommended.
Conclusion
Fixing a broken WordPress theme may seem challenging at first, but with the right approach, it’s manageable. By following the methods outlined above, you can troubleshoot and resolve most common issues, whether it’s a plugin conflict, coding error, or corrupted files. The key is to take a systematic approach, starting with deactivating plugins, switching to a default theme, and ensuring that all files are up to date and error-free. Always remember to back up your site before making any changes to avoid potential data loss.
If, after trying these methods, your theme is still broken, don’t hesitate to reach out to the theme developer for further assistance. They often provide specific fixes or support for their themes. With a little patience and the right steps, you can restore your WordPress site to full functionality and prevent theme issues from occurring in the future.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced on Monday that the recent cyber attack on the Treasury Department did not affect other federal agencies. The agency reassured that no evidence has emerged suggesting a broader impact across the federal government.
CISA is closely collaborating with the Treasury Department and BeyondTrust, a cybersecurity solutions provider, to investigate the breach, understand its full scope, and mitigate potential consequences. “The security of federal systems and the data they protect is paramount to national security,” CISA stated, emphasizing its commitment to preventing further incidents. The agency promised to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates when necessary.
The incident follows a declaration by the Treasury Department last week acknowledging that it had been the target of a “major cybersecurity attack.” Preliminary investigations revealed that Chinese state-sponsored hackers exploited a vulnerability, enabling them to gain remote access to specific computers and unclassified information.
Breach Details and BeyondTrust’s Response
The attack reportedly began in early December 2024 and involved the compromise of BeyondTrust’s systems. Hackers used a compromised Remote Support SaaS API key to infiltrate certain Remote Support SaaS instances. BeyondTrust issued an updated statement on January 6, 2025, confirming that no additional affected customers had been identified beyond those previously notified.
Despite mounting evidence pointing to state-sponsored Chinese attackers, China has denied the accusations. Chinese officials have labeled the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
Sanctions Against Chinese Cybersecurity Firm
In a related development, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions last week on Integrity Technology Group, a Chinese cybersecurity firm. The company is accused of providing infrastructure support to Flax Typhoon, a hacking group allegedly involved in attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure.
Reacting to the sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated China’s stance, saying, “China has always firmly opposed hacking and has consistently combated it in accordance with the law.” Jiakun further accused the U.S. of using cybersecurity issues as a pretext to unjustly sanction Chinese companies and warned that China would take necessary measures to protect its interests.
Integrity Technology Group, in its response, dismissed the U.S. allegations, stating they lack factual basis. The company also filed a formal protest with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Escalating Chinese Cyber Threats
The cyber attack on the Treasury Department is part of a larger pattern of intrusions attributed to Chinese hacking groups. Notable among them are Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon, known for targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and telecommunications networks, respectively.
Over the weekend, The Wall Street Journal reported that nine telecom companies, including Charter Communications, Consolidated Communications, and Windstream, had been breached by Salt Typhoon. Previously identified victims included major telecom operators like AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies.
APT41 Campaign in the Philippines
In a separate revelation, Bloomberg disclosed a new report highlighting the activities of APT41, another Chinese state-sponsored threat actor. Between early 2023 and June 2024, APT41 allegedly infiltrated the executive branch of the Philippine government, stealing sensitive data related to ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. This campaign is believed to be part of China’s broader cyber espionage efforts in the region.
Taiwan: A Growing Target
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has issued a warning about the rising frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks from China. The bureau reported 906 cyber incidents against government and private entities in 2024, marking a significant increase from 752 incidents in 2023.
Chinese threat actors reportedly use a variety of tactics to gain unauthorized access to critical systems in Taiwan. These include exploiting vulnerabilities in network communication devices and employing “living-off-the-land” (LotL) techniques, which involve leveraging legitimate tools and processes to avoid detection.
Attack chains often begin with spear-phishing emails targeting civil servants, followed by lateral movement within compromised networks to steal sensitive information.
Notable Chinese Cyber Attacks on Taiwan
The NSB identified several prominent types of attacks directed at Taiwan:
DDoS Attacks: Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against Taiwan’s transportation and financial sectors coincided with military exercises by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Ransomware Attacks: The manufacturing sector has been hit by ransomware campaigns aimed at disrupting production and extracting ransoms.
High-Tech Espionage: Chinese hackers have targeted high-tech startups to steal proprietary technologies and intellectual property.
Personal Data Theft: Personal information belonging to Taiwanese citizens has been exfiltrated and subsequently sold on underground forums.
Disinformation Campaigns: China has been accused of spreading false information on social media to undermine public trust in the government.
The NSB also noted a 650% increase in attacks targeting the telecommunications sector, while attacks on the transportation and defense supply chain sectors have risen by 70% and 57%, respectively.
Influence Operations and Disinformation
Beyond cyber intrusions, China is said to be actively conducting influence operations in Taiwan. These efforts aim to manipulate public opinion and create social divisions by spreading disinformation through inauthentic accounts on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
A notable tactic involves hijacking Taiwanese social media accounts to post misleading information. The NSB reported several instances of deepfake videos featuring fabricated speeches by prominent Taiwanese political figures designed to confuse and mislead the public.
Additionally, China has allegedly set up proxy accounts and media brands on platforms such as Weibo, TikTok, and Instagram. These accounts are reportedly used to promote pro-China narratives and spread propaganda targeting the Taiwanese populace.
Conclusion
The ongoing investigation into the Treasury Department cyber attack underscores the growing threat posed by state-sponsored cyber adversaries. With mounting evidence pointing to Chinese involvement, tensions between the U.S. and China over cybersecurity are likely to escalate further. Simultaneously, the reports from Taiwan highlight the multifaceted nature of modern cyber warfare, encompassing both direct intrusions and influence operations aimed at destabilizing societies.
As cyber attacks continue to rise in frequency and sophistication, the need for robust international cybersecurity collaboration and stronger defensive measures has never been more critical.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has introduced proposed amendments to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. These changes aim to fortify the cybersecurity measures of healthcare organizations and protect patients’ sensitive data from escalating cyber threats.
This proposal forms a critical part of the broader national initiative to enhance the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure sectors, reflecting growing concerns over the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems to malicious cyber activities.
Strengthening HIPAA for a Cyber-Resilient Future
The proposed rule aims to bolster protections for electronic protected health information (ePHI) by addressing evolving cybersecurity threats. The OCR stated that these changes are designed to modernize the HIPAA Security Rule and provide healthcare organizations with a robust framework to mitigate potential risks.
Key provisions of the new rule include requirements for healthcare entities to:
Conduct a thorough review of their technology asset inventory and network map.
Identify and address vulnerabilities that could jeopardize electronic information systems.
Develop and implement procedures to restore critical data and systems within 72 hours of a cyber incident.
Mandatory Annual Compliance Audits and Encryption Standards
In addition to rapid data recovery protocols, the proposed changes mandate:
Annual compliance audits to ensure adherence to updated cybersecurity standards.
Encryption of ePHI both at rest and during transmission to prevent unauthorized access.
Implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance access controls.
Deployment of anti-malware protection to guard against malicious software.
Removal of unnecessary software from systems to minimize potential entry points for attackers.
Advanced Cybersecurity Practices: Network Segmentation and Vulnerability Management
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) emphasizes proactive measures such as:
Network segmentation to limit the spread of cyber threats within an organization.
Technical controls for secure backup and recovery processes.
Vulnerability scanning at least every six months and penetration testing annually to uncover and address weaknesses in digital infrastructure.
These stringent requirements underscore the OCR’s commitment to safeguarding healthcare organizations against the rising tide of cyberattacks.
Rising Cyber Threats to Healthcare: A Persistent Challenge
The healthcare sector remains a prime target for ransomware attacks, which not only cause financial harm but also disrupt critical medical services. Such disruptions can hinder access to diagnostic tools and patient records, posing severe risks to patient safety.
Microsoft highlighted in an October 2024 report that healthcare organizations are particularly attractive to cybercriminals due to the sensitive nature of their data and the potential for substantial financial payouts. The report further noted that ransomware attacks often impact nearby healthcare facilities, leading to patient surges that strain resources and compromise urgent care delivery.
Alarming Statistics: The Growing Impact of Ransomware
Recent data from cybersecurity firm Sophos reveals a sharp increase in ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations, with 67% of entities affected in 2024 compared to 34% in 2021. The primary causes of these breaches include exploited vulnerabilities, compromised credentials, and phishing emails.
Notably, over half (53%) of the affected organizations paid ransoms to regain access to their data, with the median ransom payment reaching $1.5 million. However, the recovery process remains challenging. Only 22% of healthcare organizations managed to fully recover within a week, a significant drop from 54% in 2022.
Sophos CTO John Shier commented, “The highly sensitive nature of healthcare information and its constant accessibility requirements make the sector an enduring target for cybercriminals. Unfortunately, many healthcare organizations lack adequate preparedness to respond effectively, leading to prolonged recovery times.”
A Global Perspective on Healthcare Cybersecurity
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised alarms about the escalating cyber threats to hospitals and healthcare systems. Last month, the organization described ransomware attacks as “issues of life and death,” urging international cooperation to combat this critical threat.
The WHO emphasized that coordinated global efforts are essential to protect healthcare infrastructures and ensure uninterrupted patient care in the face of rising cyber challenges.
Proactive Measures to Secure the Future
The updated HIPAA rules, if finalized, will significantly enhance the resilience of healthcare organizations against cyberattacks. By prioritizing rapid data restoration, regular compliance audits, and advanced security measures like MFA and vulnerability scanning, these changes aim to create a safer digital environment for healthcare operations.
For healthcare organizations, the proposed amendments highlight the urgent need to invest in robust cybersecurity practices. By adopting these measures, they can not only safeguard sensitive patient data but also ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical medical services in an increasingly digitalized world.
The proposed HIPAA updates mark a pivotal step toward securing the healthcare sector against the ever-evolving cyber threats, ultimately prioritizing patient safety and data protection.
WordPress plugins are incredibly powerful tools that enhance the functionality and features of your website. However, there may be times when you need to disable all plugins, whether due to conflicts, troubleshooting, or performance issues. Disabling all plugins at once can save time when diagnosing problems, or if you want to update your website without interference from plugins.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore different methods on how to disable all plugins in WordPress. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this article will walk you through the entire process step-by-step.
Why You Might Need to Disable All Plugins
Before we dive into the methods, it’s important to understand why you may want to disable all plugins. Some common reasons include:
Troubleshooting Errors: If your website is showing errors, malfunctioning, or experiencing slow performance, disabling all plugins helps rule out any plugin-related issues.
Plugin Conflicts: Sometimes, plugins may conflict with each other, causing issues like broken functionality, errors, or even crashes. Disabling them all can help pinpoint which one is causing the problem.
Improving Website Performance: Over time, plugins can accumulate and slow down your website. Temporarily disabling plugins can help assess if they’re impacting the performance.
Update or Change Plugins: If you need to update, change, or replace a plugin, disabling them first may be necessary to ensure smooth updates.
Methods to Disable All Plugins in WordPress
There are several ways to disable all plugins in WordPress. Let’s look at each one in detail:
1. Disable Plugins via the WordPress Admin Dashboard
The easiest and most straightforward way to disable all plugins is through the WordPress admin dashboard. However, keep in mind that this method requires you to have access to the WordPress admin area.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Log into your WordPress Dashboard: Go to your website and log into the admin area using your credentials.
Navigate to the Plugins Section: From the left-hand sidebar, click on Plugins to open the list of all installed plugins.
Bulk Select All Plugins: At the top of the plugin list, check the box next to Plugin to select all plugins.
Deactivate All Plugins: From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown menu, select Deactivate, and then click Apply.
This will disable all the plugins on your WordPress site, and your site will no longer be using any of the plugin features.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Some essential plugins, such as caching or security plugins, may cause temporary issues with the website after deactivation. It’s important to test your website after deactivating all plugins to ensure everything is functioning properly.
2. Disable Plugins by Renaming the Plugin Folder via FTP
If you can’t access the WordPress dashboard due to a plugin conflict or error, you can disable all plugins via FTP or your web hosting control panel’s file manager. This method works by renaming the plugins folder to prevent WordPress from loading any plugins.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Connect to Your Website via FTP: Use an FTP client like FileZilla or access your hosting account’s file manager through cPanel.
Locate the Plugins Folder: Navigate to the following directory in your WordPress installation: wp-content/plugins/.
Rename the Plugins Folder: Right-click on the plugins folder and choose Rename. Rename the folder to something like plugins_disabled or plugins_backup.
Refresh Your Website: Now, all the plugins will be disabled, and you can check your website. If you need to reactivate the plugins, simply rename the folder back to “plugins.”
Things to Keep in Mind:
This method completely disables all plugins, including critical ones. After renaming the folder, your site may lose some functionality temporarily, such as sliders, forms, or caching.
After troubleshooting or updates, you can rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate individual plugins one by one.
3. Disable Plugins via WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface)
For users with more technical expertise, WP-CLI offers a command-line interface to manage WordPress websites. If you have SSH access to your server, you can easily disable all plugins through WP-CLI.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Access Your Server via SSH: Use an SSH client to log into your server where your WordPress site is hosted.
2. Run the WP-CLI Command: Once connected, navigate to your WordPress directory and run the following command to deactivate all plugins: bash Copy code
wp plugin deactivate --all
3. Confirm Plugins are Disabled: You can confirm all plugins have been deactivated by running: bash Copy code
wp plugin status
This will show you the status of all plugins, confirming they are now disabled.
Things to Keep in Mind:
WP-CLI is available only on servers that support SSH access, and you must have access to the terminal/command-line interface to use it.
4. Disable Plugins Using the Database (For Advanced Users)
If you don’t have access to the WordPress dashboard or FTP, and you’re comfortable working with databases, you can disable plugins by directly modifying the database. This method should be used with caution, as it involves interacting with critical website data.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Access Your Database: Log in to your hosting account and open phpMyAdmin (available through cPanel or another hosting panel).
Select Your Database: Choose the WordPress database associated with your website.
Locate the Active Plugins Option: In the database, go to the wp_options table (prefix may vary depending on your WordPress installation).
Modify the active_plugins Row: Find the row labeled active_plugins and edit its value. Set the value to a:0:{} (this will deactivate all plugins).
Save Changes: Click Go to save the changes.
Test Your Website: Check your website to confirm all plugins are now disabled.
Things to Keep in Mind:
This method requires a good understanding of database management. If done incorrectly, it can break your website or cause unexpected errors.
5. Disable Plugins in Safe Mode (For Site Health Issues)
If your WordPress site has issues such as blank screens, errors, or is inaccessible due to a plugin conflict, you can try using the WordPress Safe Mode or Recovery Mode feature. WordPress may automatically send you an email when the site enters Recovery Mode, allowing you to disable problematic plugins.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Check Your Email for Recovery Mode Link: If WordPress detects a critical error, you may receive an email with a link to enter Recovery Mode.
Log into the Recovery Mode: Follow the link to log in to the WordPress dashboard in a limited environment.
Disable the Problematic Plugin: You will be prompted to disable the plugin that caused the issue. You can disable all plugins if necessary.
Things to Keep in Mind:
This method only works if WordPress detects a critical error and sends you an email.
Best Practices After Disabling Plugins
After disabling all plugins, you may want to follow some best practices to ensure your website runs smoothly:
Test Your Website: Once all plugins are disabled, test your website thoroughly to see if the issues are resolved.
Reactivate Plugins One by One: If you’re troubleshooting, reactivate plugins one at a time to pinpoint the plugin causing the issue.
Update Plugins Regularly: Always keep your plugins up to date to avoid compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities.
Backup Your Site: Before making changes to your plugins, always create a backup of your website to avoid data loss.
Optimize Your Plugins: Deactivate and delete any unnecessary plugins. This will help speed up your website and reduce security risks.
Conclusion
Disabling all plugins in WordPress can be a useful technique for troubleshooting and improving website performance. Whether you use the WordPress admin dashboard, FTP, WP-CLI, or database methods, each approach has its benefits and should be chosen based on your access level and technical skills.
Always remember to back up your website before making any major changes, and re-enable plugins gradually to ensure that your site is running smoothly. If you’re unsure about any method, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional to help you disable plugins safely.
