WordPress is the go-to platform for building websites, powering over 40% of the internet! While it’s awesome for its flexibility and ease of use, it also catches the eye of hackers and you should focus on WordPress Security topic. Don’t worry, though—keeping your WordPress site secure isn’t as hard as it sounds. Here’s a friendly guide to help you protect your WordPress site and keep it running smoothly. Learn the best practices for WordPress security. Protect your site with strong passwords, updates, backups, and plugins. Stay secure with these easy tips!
Table Of Contents
- 1 Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
- 2 Install a WordPress Security Plugin
- 3 Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- 4 Limit Login Attempts
- 5 Choose a Secure Hosting Provider
- 6 Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates
- 7 Back Up Your WordPress Site Regularly
- 8 Disable File Editing
- 9 Change Your Login URL
- 10 Use a CDN
- 11 Keep an Eye on User Activity
- 12 Wrapping It Up
Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
Updates are like vitamins for your WordPress site. They fix bugs, improve features, and patch up security holes. Here’s what you should do:
- First of all, always back up your WordPress site at least once per day and once before updates. you can contact your hosting provider for backups.
- Update your WordPress core whenever a new version is available.
- Keep your plugins and themes updated, even the ones you don’t use.
- Delete any themes or plugins you’re not using anymore to keep things tidy and secure.
Pro tip: Enable automatic updates to make life easier, but always back up your WordPress site before big updates, just in case.
Install a WordPress Security Plugin
Security plugins are like having a guard dog for your WordPress site. They sniff out threats and keep your site safe. Some great options are:
- Wordfence: Includes a firewall, malware scanner, and real-time alerts, Wordfence Free Version is one of the best options and guard your website like a charm, it has a lot of free options and the most important thing ‘malware scanner’ for free.
- Solid Security (Former iThemes Security): Focuses on fixing common security issues, a light weight plugin with a lot of options.
- Sucuri Security: Offers website monitoring and malware removal.
Most of these plugins come with easy-to-use dashboards, so you’ll always know your WordPress site’s security status.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Passwords are your first line of defense, so make them strong! Here’s how:
- Use passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using the same password across different sites.
- Use a password manager to store and create strong passwords easily.
Add an extra layer of security with 2FA. This means you’ll confirm your identity with a second step, like a code sent to your phone. Plugins like Wordfence or Solid Security (Former iThemes Security) make this super simple.
Limit Login Attempts
Hackers love trying different password combinations until they get in. Stop them in their tracks by limiting login attempts. Here’s how:
- Wordfence & Solid Security has this option built-in.
- Use plugins like Login LockDown or WP Limit Login Attempts.
- Add CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA WordPress Plugins to your login page to keep bots away.
This way, even if someone tries to brute force their way into your WordPress site, they’ll get locked out after a few tries.
Choose a Secure Hosting Provider
Your hosting provider is like your WordPress site’s home, so make sure it’s a safe one. Look for hosts that offer:
- Daily backups, just in case.
- Regular server updates and patches.
- Built-in firewalls to block bad traffic. ( Cpanel Firewall, …. )
- Malware scanning and removal services.
Managed WordPress hosting services often include all these features and more, making them a great choice if you want peace of mind.
Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates
Ever noticed that padlock icon in the browser’s address bar? That’s HTTPS, and it shows that your WordPress site is secure. Here’s why you need it:
- It encrypts data between your site and visitors, keeping things like login info safe.
- It boosts your Google rankings (yay for SEO!).
- It builds trust with your visitors.
Most hosts offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt, ask your hosting provider for it and if its available make sure to enable it for your WordPress site. We Have a Complete Guide for Redirect http to https on WordPress Websites .
Back Up Your WordPress Site Regularly
Backups are your safety net. If something goes wrong, you can restore your WordPress site quickly. Here’s how to stay prepared:
- Set up automatic daily or weekly backups.
- Save your backups in multiple places, like the cloud and a local drive.
- its recommended that your hosting provider get backups for you on a regular basis.
Disable File Editing
File editing within WordPress can also be risky. Disable it by using this article: Disable WordPress Theme Editor
Change Your Login URL
Hackers often look for the default login pages (/wp-admin
or /wp-login.php
). Make it harder for them by changing your login URL. Plugins Wordfence and solid security has this option built in, and plugins like WPS Hide Login let you do this easily without touching any code Freely.
We have a complete article about how to change wordpress login url. you can use it and change your wordpress admin url
Use a CDN
CDNs Like Cloudflare has a feature called WAF acts like a bouncer, blocking bad traffic before it reaches your WordPress site. You can choose:
- Cloud-based options like Cloudflare or Sucuri.
- Plugin-based options that integrate with your WordPress security plugins.
Keep an Eye on User Activity
If you have multiple users on your WordPress site, it’s a good idea to track what they’re up to. Plugins like WP Activity Log show you who’s logging in, what changes they’re making, and more. This helps you spot anything suspicious.
Wrapping It Up
Keeping your WordPress site secure doesn’t have to be stressful. With regular updates, strong passwords, backups, and a few handy plugins, you can protect your WordPress site from most threats. By following these tips, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your WordPress site is safe for you and your visitors. Happy WordPress-ing!