WordPress Security: This is why you should care

If you are a WordPress developer or site owner, you should take security seriously. So seriously that you shouldn’t rely on your web hosting company for a fully secure WordPress site. WordPress, by itself, is not secure.

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Introduction

Have you ever wondered how secure WordPress is? Have you ever had your WordPress site hacked? This blog is about why you should care about WordPress security, how you can better protect your WordPress site, and how to (hopefully) avoid getting hacked in the first place.

It’s important for both site owners and developers to do their part in keeping sites secure.

For example, when a client changes their password, WordPress will create a stronger password for them automatically. However, the client may still click “Confirm use of weak password” because it’s easier for them to remember.

While the host cannot force site owners to keep all plugins and themes updated, they also cannot keep them from finding and installing themes and plugins that are not trustworthy and may be filled with malicious files and codes.

In reality, the host can only do so much on their end. Ultimately, it’s up to both site owners and developers to take responsibility for security.

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WordPress security checklist

1. Use strong and secure passwords

Always use strong passwords and change them every six months to keep your accounts safe.

Hackers often try to guess passwords or use combinations of old passwords in hopes that people never change them after an attack.

To ensure a secure website, use a password manager e.g dashlane . This way, you can create a complex password and store it safely. When you create a new account, use a different, secure password than your old one.

2. Secure your website using SSL

If you’re looking to add an extra layer of security to your website, then you should definitely consider using an SSL certificate

SSL certificates encrypt communication between your website and visitors’ web browsers, making it much more difficult for hackers to intercept or tamper with any data.

Additionally, many web browsers will display a green padlock icon next to your site’s URL if it is SSL-protected, which can help instill confidence in your visitors.

3. Keeping WordPress updated

One of the most important things you can do to keep your WordPress site secure is to keep it updated. WordPress is constantly evolving and new security holes are being found and patched all the time.

By keeping your WordPress installation up to date, you’ll ensure that you have the latest security fixes and features. There are two parts to keeping WordPress updated: updating the WordPress core software and updating your plugins and themes.

Keeping WordPress updated is a crucial part of maintaining a secure and functional WordPress site. By taking care to keep both the WordPress core software and your plugins and themes up to date, you can help protect your site against vulnerabilities and ensure that it continues to work properly.

4. Change the default “admin” username

One of the first things you should do after installing WordPress is change the default “admin” username. By default, anyone who knows your WordPress site’s address can try to log in with the username “admin” and if they guess your password, they’ll gain access to your site.

To change the default “admin” username, log in to your WordPress site as the administrator and go to the Users section of the dashboard. Find the user with the username “admin” and click on the Edit link next to their name.

On the Edit User page, scroll down to the “Account Management” section and type a new username into the “Username” field. Be sure to choose a strong password and enter it into the “Password” and “Confirm Password” fields.

Once you’ve updated the “admin” user’s information, be sure to click the “Update User” button at the bottom of the page to save your changes.

5. Mask your website login page

It’s important to keep your website login page secure from hackers and other online threats. One way to do this is to mask your login page.

Masking your login page means that it’s not easily accessible to anyone who doesn’t know the specific URL. This can be done by hiding the login page behind a series of redirects.

6. Limit login attempts using a plugin

WordPress by default allow user to try to login as many times as possible, this leaves your site vulnerable for brute force attack a method by attackers to try to log into a website repeatedly

There are a few great plugins out there that can help you limit login attempts and protect your WordPress site from brute force attacks. One of our favorites is the Limit Login Attempts plugin.

This plugin allows you to specify the maximum number of failed login attempts allowed before a user is locked out. It also includes features like lockout IP blocking and email notification of failed login attempts.

7. Scanning WordPress for malware

When it comes to website security, one of the first things you should do is scan your WordPress site for malware. This can be done using a variety of tools, but we recommend using the Sucuri SiteCheck scanner.

This scanner will check your site for known malware and vulnerabilities, and will also check for any suspicious code that could be indicative of malware.

Once you have scanned your site, you should take any necessary steps to clean up any malware that is found. This may involve deleting files, changing passwords, and taking other security measures. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always hire a professional to help you clean up your site.

Keeping your WordPress site secure is an ongoing process, and you should regularly scan for malware to ensure that your site is safe.

8. Fixing a hacked WordPress site

If your WordPress site has been hacked, it’s important to take steps to clean it up completely and prevent future hacks. Start by restoring any lost or damaged files from your backups. Then, run a security scan to identify any malicious code or vulnerabilities.

Once you’ve cleaned up your site, be sure to implement security measures to prevent future hacks, such as installing a security plugin, using a strong password, and keeping your WordPress version up to date.