WordPress Security Best Practices

WordPress is a popular content management system that powers over 40% of all websites. Its ease of use and versatility make it a popular choice for website owners of all skill levels. However, with popularity comes the risk of being targeted by hackers and other cybercriminals. Therefore, it is essential to take WordPress website security seriously to protect your website from potential security breaches.

In this blog post, we will discuss some essential steps you can take to secure your WordPress website.

1. Keep WordPress Updated

WordPress updates frequently to fix security vulnerabilities, bugs, and to add new features. Outdated versions of WordPress are more vulnerable to attacks, and hackers can easily exploit them. Make sure to keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated regularly. It is a good idea to check for updates every 1 – 2 weeks or so and install them as soon as possible. Automated updates can be tricky; they are convenient and keep your site updated. However, updates can sometimes break areas of your website without you even knowing. A best practice would be to enable automatic updates on a staging environment and then push changes to production once you can confirm the new updates did not affect your website.

2. Use Strong Passwords

Weak passwords are one of the most common ways hackers gain access to WordPress websites. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords like “password” or “123456.” Instead, use a strong password that includes upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, as it makes all your accounts vulnerable if one is compromised.

3. Install Security Plugins

WordPress has a vast selection of security plugins available to help you secure your website. These plugins offer various features such as firewall protection, malware scanning, two-factor authentication, and more. Some popular security plugins include Sucuri, Wordfence, and iThemes Security. Choose a plugin that best suits your needs and install it on your WordPress website. 

4. Limit Login Attempts

Limiting the number of login attempts can help prevent brute-force attacks. A brute-force attack is when a hacker tries to guess your username and password repeatedly until they gain access to your website. You can use a plugin like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to limit the number of login attempts and block IP addresses that exceed the limit.

5. Use SSL Certificate

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between the user’s browser and the server, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information like usernames and passwords. Google also favors websites with SSL certificates in search rankings, so it’s a good idea to install an SSL certificate on your website. CSR Consulting offers SSL certificates for free, or you can purchase one from a trusted SSL provider.

6. Backup Your Website

Creating regular backups of your website is crucial in case of a security breach or website failure. It allows you to restore your website to a previous version quickly. You can use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus to create automatic backups and store them in the cloud or on your computer. 

7. Change your Login URL

By default, every WordPress website uses the following URL to login to your website: “www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin”. This gives hackers 1 step closer to exploiting your website. Some security plugins give you the ability to change your default login URL, and SiteGround Security gives you that functionality.

In conclusion, securing your WordPress website should be a top priority for any website owner and business owner. Taking the above-mentioned steps can help prevent potential security breaches and keep your website safe and secure. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so it’s essential to take proactive steps to secure your website before anything happens. Feel free to contact me at: sean@csrroberts.com with any questions, comments, or concerns!