As the world’s most popular content management system, WordPress powers millions of websites and blogs. And while it’s relatively easy to use, it’s also a target for hackers and malware. That’s why it’s important to take steps to secure your WordPress website. In this article, we’ll share 21 tips to help you do just that.
1. Use A Strong Password
One of the best ways to keep your WordPress site secure is to use a strong password. A strong password is a password that is difficult for someone to guess or break. It should be at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can create a strong password by using a password generator like LastPass or by using a phrase that is easy for you to remember but would be difficult for someone else to guess.
If you are using a weak password, someone may be able to guess it and gain access to your site. Once they have access, they can do anything they want including changing your content, adding malicious code, or even deleting your site. Using a strong password is one of the best ways to prevent someone from gaining unauthorized access to your site.
2. Keep Your WordPress Site Updated
One of the most important WordPress security tips is to keep your site updated. WordPress releases new versions of the software regularly, and each new release includes security fixes. By keeping your site updated, you can help protect it from potential threats.
It’s also important to update your plugins and themes. Like WordPress itself, plugins and themes can also contain security vulnerabilities. By keeping your plugins and themes up to date, you can help reduce the risk of your site being compromised.
Updating your site can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind it can provide. Plus, there are some great plugins out there that can help automate the process.
3. Use Only Trusted Themes and Plugins
As a WordPress user, it’s important to only use WordPress trusted themes and plugins. Unfortunately, there are a lot of malicious themes and plugins out there that can compromise your website’s security. That’s why it’s important to only download themes and plugins from trusted sources.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you’re only using trusted themes and plugins:
- Only download themes and plugins from trusted sources.
- Check reviews before downloading anything.
- Make sure you’re using an up-to-date antivirus program.
- Keep your WordPress installation up to date.
- Use a security plugin like Wordfence to scan for malicious code.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your WordPress website safe and secure.
4. Don’t Use “admin” As Your WordPress Username
One of the most common WordPress security risks is using the default “admin” username. Hackers know this, which is why they target sites with this username. If you’re still using “admin” as your username, change it immediately. It’s easy to do and it will make your site much more secure.
5. Use a Security Plugin
There are a lot of WordPress security plugins out there, so it can be tough to choose the right one. So how do you know which one is right for you and your website? Here are 10 plugin WordPress security tips to help you make the right decision:
- Choose a plugin that has been developed by a reputable company or individual.
- Make sure the plugin is regularly updated to stay ahead of the latest security threats.
- Check out online reviews to see what other users have to say about the plugin.
- Select a plugin that offers a variety of features to meet your specific needs.
- Go with a plugin that is easy to use and configure.
- Make sure the plugin integrates well with the other plugins you are using on your site.
- Choose a plugin that offers support in case you run into any problems.
- Select a plugin that is compatible with the latest versions of WordPress.
- Consider a plugin that offers a free trial so you can try it out before committing to a paid subscription.
- Get recommendations from other WordPress users who have similar security needs.
By following these tips, you can narrow down the field and choose the WordPress security plugin
6. Back Up Your Site Regularly
As the saying goes, your website is only as secure as your last backup. This is especially true when it comes to WordPress security. Regular backups can help prevent data loss in the event of a security breach, so make sure to schedule them regularly.
There are a few different ways to back up your WordPress site. You can use a plugin like BackupBuddy or WPTime capsule, or you can manually back up your files and database. Whichever method you choose, make sure you do it regularly to keep your site safe.
7. Use A WordPress Child Theme.
If you’re not sure what a WordPress child theme is, it’s basically a theme that inherits its functionality from another theme (the parent theme). Child themes are often used when people want to customize an existing theme without losing the ability to update the parent theme.
Using a child theme is a great way to secure your WordPress site. By creating a child theme, you can make sure that any changes you make to your theme will not be overwritten when the parent theme is updated. This means that if a security vulnerability is found in the parent theme, you can update the parent theme without worrying about losing your customizations.
Creating a child theme is relatively simple. If you’re not a developer, you can find plenty of tutorials online that will walk you through the process. Once you’ve created your child theme, you can activate it from the WordPress dashboard.
8. Use Two-Factor Authentication
If you’re looking for an extra layer of security for your WordPress site, then 2-factor authentication is a great option. This type of authentication requires two different pieces of information in order to log in, such as a password and a code that is sent to your mobile phone. This way, even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to log in unless they also have your phone.
There are a few different WordPress plugins that offer two-factor authentication, so be sure to do some research and find one that works best for you and your site. Once you have it set up, you can rest assured knowing that your site is that much more secure.
9. Limit Login Attempts
There are always ways to make your site even more secure. One of the best ways to do this is to limit the number of login attempts that a user can make.
This may seem like a small thing, but it can go a long way in keeping your site secure. By limiting the number of login attempts, you’re making it more difficult for someone to brute force their way into your site. And, if someone does manage to get past your defenses, they’ll only have a limited number of tries before they’re locked out.
There are a few different ways to limit login attempts in WordPress. One is to use a plugin like Login Lockdown. This plugin will limit the number of login attempts that a user can make and will also lock out an IP address after a certain number of failed attempts.
Another way to limit login attempts is to edit your .htaccess file. You can add a few lines of code to this file that will limit the number of login attempts and also lock out an IP address after a certain number of failed attempts.
Of course, you can always just limit login attempts manually. This involves adding a few lines of code to your theme’s functions.php file in your Child Theme. By doing this, you can set the maximum number of login attempts and also lock out an IP address after a certain number of failed attempts. Either way, limiting login attempts is a good way to secure your WordPress site.
10. Hide Your WordPress Admin Area
One of the most important aspects of WordPress security is hiding your admin area. This area contains sensitive information and should be kept safe from potential attacks. There are a few ways to hide your admin area, including using a security plugin or changing your WordPress settings.
Hiding your admin area is a great way to keep your WordPress site secure. By hiding this area, you can prevent potential attackers from accessing sensitive information. There are a few different ways to hide your admin area, including using a security plugin or changing your WordPress settings. By taking this extra step, you can help ensure that your site is safe and secure.
11. Sanctify Your .htaccess File
The sanctity of your .htaccess file is of utmost importance when it comes to WordPress security. This file controls many aspects of your WordPress installation, including URL redirection, access control, and other security measures. A compromised .htaccess file can wreak havoc on your website, so it’s important to keep it safe.
One way to protect your .htaccess file is to change its permissions so that only the owner can read and write to it. This can be done using your FTP client or via the WordPress dashboard. Once you’ve done this, make sure to keep a backup of your .htaccess file in a safe place.
Another way to keep your .htaccess file safe is to use a WordPress security plugin like Wordfence. This plugin will monitor your .htaccess file for changes and alert you if anything suspicious is going on. It’s a great way to keep an eye on your website’s security.
So there you have it, a few WordPress security tips to help you keep your .htaccess file safe. Remember, a little bit of prevention can go a long way in keeping your website safe from harm.
12. Protect wp-config.php
One of the most important files in your WordPress installation is the wp-config.php file. This file contains your database information and other sensitive information. That’s why it’s important to protect it from being accessed by unauthorized users.
There are a few ways to protect the wp-config.php file:
- Move the file to a different location – You can move the wp-config.php file to a different location outside of the WordPress directory. This makes it harder for hackers to find and access the file.
- Rename the file – Another option is to rename the wp-config.php file to something else. This also makes it harder for hackers to find and access the file.
- Change the file permissions – You can also change the file permissions of the wp-config.php file so that only authorized users can read and write to the file.
- Use a security plugin – There are also WordPress security plugins that can help protect your wp-config.php file. These plugins add an extra layer of security to your website.
13. Disable File Editing in WordPress
One of the most important things you can do to secure your WordPress site is to disable file editing. By default, WordPress allows users to edit theme and plugin files directly from the admin dashboard. However, this is a huge security risk as it allows malicious users to easily inject code into your site.
To disable file editing, you can add the following line of code to your WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php):
define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);
Doing this will disable the ability to edit files from the dashboard, which will help to keep your site secure.
14. Don’t Use Nulled Themes or Plugins
One of the most important things you can do to secure your WordPress site is to avoid using nulled themes and plugins. Nulled themes and plugins are those that have been hacked or tampered with in some way, and they can introduce all sorts of malware and security vulnerabilities into your site.
While it may be tempting to save a few bucks by using these nulled products, it’s simply not worth the risk. Stick to reputable sources for your themes and plugins, and make sure to keep them up to date.
15. Scan Your Site for Malware
In today’s digital world, it’s important to take steps to secure your website from malware. Malware is a type of malicious software that can infect your website and wreak havoc on your digital operations. By taking some simple precautions and regularly scanning your site for malware, you can help protect your business from this growing threat.
Here are some tips for scanning your site for malware:
- Use a reputable website security scanner. There are many website security scanners available online. Some of the more popular ones include Sucuri, Norton Safe Web, and SiteLock.
- Scan your site regularly. It’s important to scan your website regularly for malware. Depending on the size and complexity of your site, you may want to scan weekly, monthly, or even daily.
- Take action if malware is found. If your scanner detects malware on your website, it’s important to take immediate action to clean up the infection and secure your site. This may include restoring clean backups, removing malicious code, and changing passwords.
By taking these simple steps, you can help protect your website from malware.
16. Use a Web Application Firewall
A web application firewall (WAF) is a security tool that filters traffic to and from a web application. It can be used to block certain types of attacks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
WAFs can be deployed in a number of ways, including as a network appliance, as a software package that can be installed on a web server, or as a cloud-based service.
17. Keep an Activity Log
One of the best ways to secure your WordPress website is to keep an activity log. This will allow you to track any changes or attempted changes to your website, and take action accordingly.
There are a few different plugins you can use to create an activity log, but we recommend using the WP Security Audit Log plugin. This plugin is free and provides a comprehensive list of activities that are being logged.
Once you have the plugin installed, be sure to check the activity log regularly to ensure that everything is in order. If you see any suspicious activity, take action immediately to secure your website.
18. Use SSL/HTTPS
If you’re serious about keeping your WordPress site secure, then you need to use SSL/HTTPS. This will encrypt all of your data and communication, making it much more difficult for hackers to snoop on your traffic and steal sensitive information. Plus, it’s just good practice in general!
19. Choose a Good WordPress Hosting Provider
A good WordPress hosting provider can make a big difference in the security of your website. By choosing a provider that offers features like automatic updates and security enhancements, you can help keep your site safe from potential attacks.
20. Block IP Addresses That Show Suspicious Activity
If you suspect that someone is trying to hack into your WordPress site, one of the best things you can do is block their IP address. By doing this, you can prevent them from accessing your site altogether.
There are a few different ways to block an IP address in WordPress. One way is to add the IP address to your .htaccess file. Another way is to use a plugin like Wordfence Security.
Either way, blocking an IP address is a good way to protect your WordPress site from potential hackers.
21. Stay Informed About WordPress Security Threats
As the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, WordPress is a prime target for hackers and other malicious actors. That’s why it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest WordPress security threats so that you can protect your website accordingly.
WordPress Security Tips: A Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed this post on how to secure your website. In the end, there are some things that you can do to help prevent a WordPress hack, but there is no way to completely secure your site. The best you can do is ensure the best security you can and take preventative measures that will help keep your site safe.
If you ever need help with WordPress security or website security in general, we’d love to help! Check out our WordPress maintenance plans and let our team help secure and manage your WordPress website for you.
