As we step into 2025, websites running on Joomla 3 and Joomla 4 have officially reached a high-risk stage. Joomla 3 has long been unsupported, and Joomla 4 reached end-of-life in October 2025. Without security patches, compatibility updates, or official support, both versions now expose your website to growing vulnerabilities and performance issues.
If your website is still on Joomla 3 or Joomla 4, here’s what you need to know—and what steps you should take now.
Why Joomla 3 Has Become a Security Graveyard
Joomla 3 hasn’t received a security patch since early 2025, which means every known vulnerability is left unpatched forever. Public CVEs (documented vulnerabilities) give attackers a clear roadmap to exploit outdated Joomla 3 sites.
This leads to real risks like:
- Malware infections
- Redirect hacks
- SQL injection attacks
- Spam bot takeovers
- Customer data leaks
When there are no updates left and extension developers stop supporting the version, Joomla 3 becomes a high-risk environment regardless of how “stable” your site feels today.
New Risk in 2025: Joomla 4 Reached End-of-Life
Many site owners assumed Joomla 4 was a safe long-term option—but regular support ended in October 2025. This means:
- No more security fixes
- No compatibility testing with modern PHP
- No guaranteed extension support
- No bug patches
Extension developers and template frameworks are already shifting toward Joomla 5 and Joomla 6. As a result, Joomla 4 websites now face growing stability and compatibility issues, similar to Joomla 3.
The SEO and Business Impact of Using Outdated Joomla Versions
Running your site on unsupported Joomla versions affects more than just security. It can directly impact your search rankings and business reputation:
- Google may display “This site may be hacked” warnings
- Your domain can get blacklisted
- Malware can destroy your SEO performance
- Slow performance hurts Core Web Vitals
- Broken layouts reduce conversions
- Downtime impacts sales and lead generation
Recovering from a hacked Joomla site often takes longer—and costs more—than upgrading.
Related Post: Joomla SEO Made Simple: Get Your Website to Rank Higher
Secure Your Joomla Site Before It’s Too Late
If your website is still on Joomla 3 or Joomla 4, we can help you migrate safely to Joomla 5 or Joomla 6 without losing design, content, or SEO rankings.
What You Should Do Next: A Practical Action Plan
Here’s the best way to secure your site and prepare for future Joomla releases:
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Whether you want a full migration to Joomla 5/6 or need temporary hardening for your current Joomla site, our team is here to help.
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We’ll review your needs and guide you through the next steps—no obligation.
Conclusion
Joomla 3 and Joomla 4 have reached a point where staying on them is no longer safe or practical. With both versions now officially unsupported, every month brings greater exposure to security threats, extension failures, performance issues, and SEO setbacks. Even if your site appears to run normally today, the risks are growing beneath the surface—and recovering from an incident can cost far more than a planned upgrade.
Upgrading to Joomla 5 or Joomla 6 isn’t just a technical cleanup—it’s a long-term investment in security, stability, and the future of your website. A proper audit, structured migration, and modern Joomla environment will give you the confidence to grow your online presence without worrying about breakdowns or vulnerabilities.
If you’re ready to secure your Joomla website and prepare it for the future, our team is here to guide you step-by-step.
