22 Methods to Improve WordPress Security and Protect Your Site

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS), with 43.2% of all websites running on its software. Unfortunately, its popularity attracts all sorts of cybercriminals who exploit the platform’s security vulnerabilities. This doesn’t mean that WordPress has a terrible security system, as security breaches can also happen due to the users’ lack of security awareness. Therefore, it’s best to apply precautionary security measures before your website becomes a hacker target.

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WordPress Security Checklist and Additional Tips
How to Secure Your WordPress Website?
General Best Practices to Improve Website Security

1. Update WordPress Version Regularly

Updating your WordPress version is one of the simplest ways to improve WordPress security. It’s important to keep your site up to date to protect it from cyber threats. You should also update the themes and plugins installed on your WordPress site to avoid compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities.

2. Use Secure WP-Admin Login Credentials

Creating unique and complex login credentials for your WordPress admin account is essential to protect your site from brute force attacks. Avoid using common usernames like “admin” and use strong passwords that include a combination of numbers, symbols, and uppercase and lowercase letters.

3. Set Up Safelist and Blocklist for the Admin Page

By setting up a safelist and blocklist for the admin page, you can control access to your WordPress site. You can use web application firewall (WAF) services like Cloudflare or Sucuri to configure safelists and blocklists based on IP addresses.

4. Use Trusted WordPress Themes

Avoid using nulled WordPress themes, as they often contain malicious code that can compromise your site’s security. Stick to themes from the official WordPress repository or trusted developers to ensure that your theme is secure and regularly updated.

5. Install SSL Certificate

Installing an SSL certificate on your WordPress site is crucial for secure data transfer. SSL encrypts data exchanged between your site and visitors, protecting it from potential attackers. Most hosting companies provide free SSL certificates, or you can use plugins like Really Simple SSL to enable HTTPS on your site.

6. Remove Unused WordPress Plugins and Themes

Keeping unused plugins and themes on your WordPress site can increase security risks. Outdated themes and plugins can be exploited by hackers to gain access to your site. Regularly review and remove any unused themes and plugins to minimize potential vulnerabilities.

7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication for WP-Admin

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress admin login. It requires users to provide a unique code in addition to their username and password. Enable 2FA using plugins like Wordfence Login Security and authenticate the login process using a third-party authentication app like Google Authenticator.

8. Create Backups Regularly

Creating regular backups of your WordPress site is essential in case of a security breach or data loss. Use plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or utilize your hosting provider’s backup feature to automate the backup process. Store backups in a secure location, preferably not on the same server as your website.

9. Limit Login Attempts

Limiting login attempts helps protect your WordPress site from brute force attacks. Install plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to set a maximum number of failed login attempts and automatically block IP addresses that exceed the limit.

10. Change the WordPress Login Page URL

Changing the default WordPress login page URL can make it harder for hackers to target your site. Use plugins like WPS Hide Login or Change wp-admin Login to customize your login page URL.

11. Log Idle Users Out Automatically

Enabling automatic logout for idle users helps protect your site from unauthorized access. Plugins like Inactive Logout can automatically log out users who have been inactive for a specified period of time.

12. Monitor User Activity

Monitoring user activity on your WordPress site can help detect any suspicious or unauthorized actions. Use plugins like WP Activity Log or Simple History to track user activity, including changes to posts, pages, themes, and plugins.

13. Check for Malware

Regularly scanning your WordPress site for malware is crucial to ensure its security. Use plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri Security to scan your site for malware and take necessary actions to remove any detected threats.

14. Disable PHP Error Reporting

Disabling PHP error reporting helps prevent sensitive information about your site’s file structure from being exposed to potential attackers. You can disable PHP error reporting by modifying the wp-config.php file or through your hosting provider’s control panel.

15. Migrate to a More Secure Web Host

If your current web host is not providing sufficient security measures, consider migrating your WordPress site to a more secure hosting provider. Look for a hosting provider that offers secure server environments, regular updates, and additional security features.

16. Turn File Editing Off

Disabling file editing in WordPress prevents hackers from gaining control of your site’s PHP files through the built-in file editor. You can disable file editing by adding a line of code to the wp-config.php file.

17. Restrict Access Using the .htaccess File

Using the .htaccess file, you can restrict access to specific files and folders on your WordPress site. This helps prevent unauthorized access and can be useful for protecting sensitive files like wp-config.php. You can add rules to your .htaccess file to limit access based on IP addresses.

18. Change the Default WordPress Database Prefix

Changing the default WordPress database prefix from wp_ to a custom prefix adds an extra layer of security to your site. This prevents potential attackers from targeting your database using known vulnerabilities.

19. Disable XML-RPC

Disabling XML-RPC can protect your WordPress site from potential brute force attacks and DDoS attacks. You can disable XML-RPC using plugins like Disable XML-RPC Pingback or by modifying your .htaccess file.

20. Hide the WordPress Version

Hiding the WordPress version number can make it harder for hackers to target your site using known vulnerabilities. You can hide the version number by modifying your theme’s functions.php file or using plugins like Hide WP Version.

21. Block Hotlinking

Hotlinking can slow down your site and consume your server resources. You can block hotlinking by adding rules to your .htaccess file or using plugins like Hotlink Protection.

22. Manage File Permissions

Properly managing file and folder permissions helps prevent unauthorized access to your WordPress site. You can use your hosting provider’s file manager or FTP client to set appropriate permissions for your site’s files and folders.

Conclusion

Implementing these WordPress security measures can help protect your site from potential cyber threats and maintain the integrity of your data. Regularly update your WordPress version, use secure login credentials, install trusted themes and plugins, and take advantage of security plugins to enhance your site’s security. By following these best practices, you can improve WordPress security and protect your site from various cyberattacks.

How to Improve WordPress Security FAQ

Does WordPress Need a Firewall?
Yes, setting up a website firewall is necessary to protect your WordPress site from hacking attempts and other cyberattacks.

Is WordPress Easily Hacked?
WordPress itself is secure, but vulnerabilities can arise from user error or outdated software. It’s important to implement security measures to protect your WordPress site.

Why Is My WordPress Not Secure?
If your WordPress site is not secure, it may be due to missing or misconfigured SSL certificates or outdated software. Ensure that you have SSL installed and keep your WordPress software updated.

Is Security Plugin Necessary for WordPress?
While security plugins are not mandatory, they can greatly enhance your WordPress site’s security. They provide additional layers of protection and help detect and prevent potential threats.

How Do I Secure My WordPress Site Without Plugins?
You can secure your WordPress site without plugins by updating your WordPress software regularly, using secure login credentials, configuring file permissions, and implementing other security measures mentioned in this article.

Why Does WordPress Get Hacked So Much?
WordPress is a popular platform, which makes it a prime target for hackers. Additionally, outdated software, weak passwords, and insecure themes or plugins can contribute to potential security vulnerabilities.

Why Is My WordPress Site Being Attacked?
Your WordPress site may be targeted for various reasons, including outdated software, weak passwords, or known vulnerabilities in themes or plugins. Regularly updating your site and implementing security measures can help prevent attacks.

What Is the Best WordPress Security Plugin?
There are several great security plugins available for WordPress, such as Wordfence and Sucuri. Both offer features like malware scanning, firewall protection, and activity monitoring to enhance your site’s security.

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