In reply to Mike Johnston.

“I was able install (without any warning whatsoever) a plugin from 2008 on my system unknowingly. How does something like this happen? ” - I am confused by this statement, when you search for a plugin, it tells you how old it is, plus you have to hit the install button, you can not "unknowingly install anything. If you would be installing anything on your website, wouldn't you read up on it first? Sure, there is a lot of garbage out there, but it is the user's responsibility to use due diligence and common sense to place code on to their website.