Last Updated: April 21, 2026
Oftentimes, professionals believe that their websites are protected from hack attacks because they purchased a “Managed WordPress Hosting” account. The word “managed” gives them a (false) sense of security.
Not all Managed WordPress Hosting is the same!
The services that are included in Managed WordPress Hosting packages differ with each hosting company.
Typically, “managed” means that the vendor provides an environment technologically-optimized for WordPress that includes enhanced security and website speed (performance) optimization particular to the WordPress environment, and periodic automatic WordPress CORE updates.
Rarely does the hosting vendor attempt to update the accompanying software components that complete the website (theme, plugins, framework, and page builders).
Don’t ask AI, though….
What does AI say about WordPress Managed Hosting?
AI will tell you that Managed WordPress Hosting vendors do update the plugins.
That is not exactly true.
How do themes, frameworks, plugins and the like get automatically updated ?
In fact, the accompanying software components (themes, plugins, frameworks, and page builders) can be updated manually or automatically, but only automatically when their “automatically update” toggle is “on”. The toggle gets turned on manually by your webmaster.
Each component needs to be toggled individually.
So the truth is that accompanying software can update automatically – but – this automatic updating behavior is available on ALL WordPress websites.
Do I have to purchase a Managed WordPress Hosting account to have my website software components automatically update?
You do not have to purchase a Managed WordPress Hosting account in order for the accompanying software components to update automatically. You only need to ask your web person to tick the toggle.
NOTE: Some webmasters will purposefully not tick the “automatically update” toggle for a specific software component. It’s unusual these days, however sometimes necessary in order to preserve customizations. In theory, the webmaster will manually update the software after reviewing the updates to ensure that they do not interfere with the previously-made customizations.
In reality, software updates often fall behind because site owners assume everything is being handled automatically and may not stay in regular communication with their webmaster.
Ready to protect your WordPress website from hackers?