WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites online. As a result, it is often targeted by hackers and cybercriminals. Therefore, it is crucial to take the necessary measures to ensure the security of your WordPress website. In this article, we will discuss some essential ways to protect your site from WordPress security vulnerabilities.
Your WordPress Security Checklist
- Keep WordPress Updated WordPress regularly releases security patches and bug fixes. These updates are critical in preventing hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your website. Therefore, ensure that you always keep your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date. We recommend updating your Themes and plugins weekly, and if you get a notice about a security patch, these should be handled immediately.
- Use Strong Passwords Using strong passwords is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your WordPress website. Ensure you use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters when creating your password. Additionally, avoid using easy-to-guess passwords such as “password123” or “admin123.” You should update your passwords occasionally and never use the same password twice.
- Limit Login Attempts By default, WordPress allows unlimited login attempts, making it easy for hackers to use brute force attacks to guess your login credentials. You can limit the number of login attempts by using a plugin like Login LockDown or by adding code to your functions.php file.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication Two-factor authentication adds a layer of security to your WordPress login process. This method requires users to provide an additional authentication factor, such as a code sent to their mobile phone and their password.
- Disable File Editing By default, WordPress allows users to edit files from the WordPress dashboard. This feature can be dangerous if a hacker gains access to your dashboard. To disable file editing, add the following code to your wp-config.php file: define( ‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true );. Plugins such as SEOPress (what we use) and Yoast make this easy with just a few clicks.
- Use SSL/HTTPS Using SSL/HTTPS encrypts data between the website and the user’s browser, making it harder for hackers to intercept sensitive information such as login credentials. Many web hosting providers offer SSL certificates for free or at a low cost. Google and your customers look for the “padlock” beside the URL. This is an important trust factor.
- Use WordPress Security Plugins: Several security plugins are available for WordPress to help you secure your website. These plugins offer features such as malware scanning, brute force protection, and firewall protection to help keep your website secure. Some popular options include Wordfence Security and Malcare (what we use).
- Backup Your Website Regularly Backing up your WordPress website regularly is critical in case of a security breach or website crash. You can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus to schedule automatic website backups. These backups should be kept off-site on Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Choose a Good Hosting Company Using a security-focused Managed WordPress Hosting service that prioritizes security can also help protect your website. Look for a web host with server-side scanning, firewall protection, and regular backups. Some of the best WordPress-focused hosts include; Pressable*, WPEngine*, and Cloudways* (we have clients on each of these WordPress-focused hosts).
Follow these WordPress security best practices
By implementing the tips discussed above, you’ll be off to a good start in protecting the security of your website and protecting your business and customers. The hackers are not just going after the big websites; they are even coming after websites right here in Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, and Melbourne.
We offer a Website Care Program that covers all these points and more. Leaving you time to do what you do best – run your business, not become an internet security expert.