Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to protect your WordPress site.
Start with these simple security basics
When setting up your WordPress site security, there are a few basic things you can do to strengthen your protection.
Below are some of the first steps you should implement to help protect your website.
1. Implement an SSL certificate
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is the industry standard used by millions of websites to protect their online transactions with their customers.
Getting one should be the first step you take to secure your website.
You can buy an SSL certificate, but most hosting providers offer it for free.
Next, use the plugin to force HTTPS redirection, thereby activating the encrypted connection.
This standard technique establishes an encrypted connection between a web server (host) and a web browser (client).
By adding this encrypted connection, you can ensure that all data passing between the two remains private and inherent.
2. Require and use strong passwords
Aside from getting an SSL certificate, the first thing you can do is secure your website and use and require strong passwords for all your logins.
It can be tempting to use or reuse familiar or easy-to-remember passwords, but doing so puts you, your users, and your website at risk.
Improving your password strength and security will reduce your chances of being hacked.
The stronger your password, the less likely you are to fall victim to a cyber attack.
When creating passwords, there are some common Password Best Practices You should follow.
If you’re not sure if the password you’re using is strong enough, use a free tool like this to check the strength Password Strength Checker.
3. Install the security plugin
WordPress plugins are a great way to quickly add useful functionality to your website, and there are several great security plugins available.
Installing a security plugin can add some extra layers of protection to your website without much effort.
To help you get started, check out the list of recommended WordPress security plugins.
- Wordfence Security – Firewall and Malware Scanning
- All-in-one WP Security and Firewall
- iThemes Security
- Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed and Growth
4. Keep WordPress core files updated
Keeping your WordPress up-to-date at all times is critical to maintaining the security and stability of your website.
Every time a WordPress security vulnerability is reported, the core team starts working hard to release an update that fixes the problem.
If you haven’t updated your WordPress site, you may be using a version of WordPress with known vulnerabilities.
As of 2021, there are an estimated 1.3 billion websites on the web, more than 455 million Those that use WordPress.
Because WordPress is so popular, it is a prime target for hackers, malicious code distributors, and data thieves.
Don’t let yourself get attacked by using an older version of WordPress. Turn on automatic updates Forget it.
If you want an easier way to handle updates, consider using Managed WordPress Hosting Built-in automatic update solution.
5. Pay attention to themes and plugins
Keeping WordPress updated ensures that your core files are checked, but in some other areas where WordPress is vulnerable, core updates may not protect – such as your themes and plugins.
For starters, only install plugins and themes from trusted developers.
If the plugin or theme was not developed by a reliable source, it may be safer not to use it.
Most importantly, make sure to update your WordPress plugins and themes.
Just like an outdated version of WordPress, using outdated plugins and themes can make your site more vulnerable.
6. Run frequent backups
One way to protect your WordPress site is to always have up-to-date backups of your site and important files.
The last thing you want is that something happens to your site and you don’t have a backup.
Backup your websiteand do so frequently.
That way, if something does happen to your site, you can quickly restore it to a previous version and be back up and running faster.
Intermediate security measures that add more protection
If you’ve done all the basics and still want to do more to protect your website, there are some more advanced steps you can take to strengthen your security.
7. Never use an “admin” username
Because “admin” is such a common username, it’s easy to guess and makes it easier for scammers to trick people into revealing their login credentials.
Never use the “admin” username.
Doing so leaves you vulnerable to brute force attacks and social engineering scams.
Just like having a strong password, it’s a good idea to use a unique username for your logins, as it makes it harder for hackers to crack your logins.
If you are currently using the “admin” username, Change your WordPress admin username.
8. Hide your WP-Admin login page
By default, most WordPress login pages can be accessed by adding “/wp-admin” or “/wp-login.php” to the end of the URL.
This makes it easy for hackers to start trying to break into your website.
Once hackers or scammers identify your login page, they can try to guess your username and password to access your admin dashboard.
Hiding your WordPress login page is a great way to make you a less easy target.
Protect your login credentials by hiding the WordPress admin login page with plugins like WPS Hide Login.
9. Disable XML-RPC
WordPress uses an implementation of the XML-RPC protocol to extend functionality to software clients.
this remote procedure call The protocol allows running commands, and the returned data format is XML.
Most users do not need the WordPress XML-RPC functionality, and it is one of the most common vulnerabilities that can expose users to attacks.
That’s why it’s a good idea to disable it.
Thanks to the Wordfence Security plugin, doing so is really easy.
10. Strengthen the wp-config.php file
Your WordPress wp-config.php file contains very sensitive information about your WordPress installation, including your WordPress security keys and WordPress database connection details, which is exactly why you don’t want it to be easily accessible.
you can “hardening” your website Secure your wp-config.php file with your .htaccess file.
This basically means that you provide your website with some extra protection against hackers.
11. Run a security scan tool
Sometimes your WordPress site may have vulnerabilities that you didn’t know existed.
It’s wise to use tools that can find vulnerabilities and fix them for you.
The WPScan plugin scans WordPress core files, plugins, and themes for known vulnerabilities.
The plugin also notifies you via email when new security vulnerabilities are discovered.
Strengthen server-side security
At this point, you have taken all the measures above to protect your website.
However, you may still be wondering if there is more you can do to make it as safe as possible.
The rest of the things you can do to tighten security will need to be done on the server side of your website.
12. Find a hosting company that can do it
When looking for a hosting company, you want to find one that is fast, reliable, secure, and can provide you with great customer service.
This means they should have good, robust resources, maintain at least 99.5% uptime, and use server-level security policies.
If the landlord can’t check these basic boxes, they’re not worth your time or money.
One of the best things you can do to protect your website from the start is to choose the right hosting company to host your WordPress site.
13. Use the latest PHP version
As with older versions of WordPress, outdated PHP versions are no longer safe to use.
If you are not using the latest version of PHP, Upgrade your PHP version Protect yourself from attack.
14. Host on a completely isolated server
Private cloud servers have many advantages.
One of these advantages is that it increases your security.
All cloud environments require a strong combination of antivirus and firewall protection, but private clouds run on specific physical machines, making it easier to ensure physical security.
Aside from security, fully isolated servers have other benefits such as very high uptime and easy integration with managed hosting.
Looking for the perfect cloud environment for your WordPress website?
Look no further.
Using InMotion Hosting Managed WordPress Hosting You can combine server-to-server migrations, more secure upgrades, instant security patches, and industry-leading speed.
15. Use a Web Application Firewall
To add extra security measures to your WordPress site, the last thing you can do is to use Web Application Firewall (WAF).
A sort of WAF Often a cloud-based security system that provides another layer of protection for your site.
Think of it as a gateway to your website.
It blocks all hacker attacks and filters out other malicious types of traffic, such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or spammers.
WAF usually requires a monthly subscription fee, but if you value the security of your WordPress site, it’s worth adding one.
Keep your website and business safe and secure
If your website is not secure, you risk opening yourself up to a world full of harm.
Thankfully, securing your WordPress site doesn’t require much technical knowledge, as long as you have the right tools and hosting plan to meet your needs.
You should proactively protect your website to prevent security issues, rather than waiting for a threat to respond when it occurs.
That way, if someone does target your site, you’re ready to reduce risk and conduct business as usual, rather than scrambling to find the nearest backup.
Get secure and fully isolated WordPress hosting, including free SSL, dedicated IP addresses, free backups, automatic WordPress updates, DDoS protection, and WAF.
Learn more about how Managed WordPress Hosting Can help protect your website and valuable data from hackers and scammers.
