WordPress security is something that should not be overlooked. It should be the primary focus of every business owner. Some of the top reasons for it are.Everyone who owns, runs, or manages a WordPress website must prioritize WordPress security. Hackers are constantly on the hunt for flaws and vulnerabilities that might allow them to steal data, or even hold business owners to ransom.
- Google blacklists around 10,000+ websites every day for malware and around 50,000 for phishing every week.
- On a weekly basis, Google displays an average of 4,352,659 browser alerts regarding websites that have been compromised.
- When website owners receive notifications that their websites have been hacked it often takes them fifteen days to clean up and restore their websites.
- Nineteen percent of the websites end up becoming infected again.
Source: Malcure
So, from the above stats it is quite evident that WordPress security must be prime concern of any business owner. In this article I will be sharing some useful tips that will allow you to keep hackers at bay and keep your WordPress website security top notch.
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Why WordPress Security is so Important
You all might have got a basic idea why WordPress security is paramount after reading those stats, but there is more to it. So, let’s see
1. Google gives preference to secure Websites
Google has made clear that going HTTPS for your website, that means adding an SSL 2048-bit key certificate to your website, will get you a minor ranking boost. So, why Google will prefer secure websites, the reason is simple Google won’t be sending its users to websites that have been hacked or anyways could lead to a potential data breach. Google does not want it users exposed to any kind of risk. So, if want to rank higher on Google then you need to adhere some security measures.
2. To Maintain the Reputation Of Your Business
It’s goes beyond saying that a secure website helps in building your reputation and maintaining it as well. A secure website keeps all the confidential data of its customers safe; any breach will result in loss of confidential data of the customer which will affect the customer’s trust on your website. So, if you want to build and maintain your business reputation then you need to have a secure website.
3. It is also important for Revenue of the Business
Well as I have already stated that a hacked website leads to loss of reputation of the brand, so loss of reputation will directly impact business bottom line, that means loss of revenue too. Moreover, a security breach can be costly not only in the terms of loss of business but also in terms of costs involved in repairing the damage. Recovering a hacked website is a costly affair.
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4. To Improve Site Performance
Moreover, a website affected by malware tends to load slowly, so if want a website that performs well and helps in your business endeavours you need to keep your website secure. As we all know that slow websites are business killers, they crush conversions. In today’s digital age users have zero tolerance against slow websites. Moreover, slow websites are also foes of Search Engines.
Now you all know how detrimental an unsecure website could be, I will discuss some tips on WordPress security. Moreover, if you are concerned what are major WordPress vulnerabilities that cause security concerns, check out our article on WordPress vulnerabilities.
WordPress Security Tips
1. Limit Login Attempts To Harden Your WordPress Security
By default, WordPress allows its users to make as many logins attempts as much they can. This is what becomes a boon for hackers, they use brute force to gain access to your WordPress admin panel. They use many passwords combination and gain access to WordPress admin panel.
So, to keep your WordPress website secure, you must put a cap on the maximum number of login attempts.
Putting a cap on failed attempts is another way to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour on your site. Since majority of users only require a single attempt or a few unsuccessful tries, so you should be wary of any doubtful IP addresses that approach the limit of attempts.
You could use many plugins to limit login attempts on WordPress. Some of them are LoginPress, Loginizer, WPS Hide Login etc.
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2. Take WordPress Backups
It is highly recommended to create backups of your WordPress site and store all its files and database information in a separate location. Just how is this useful? Imagine If your website is ever hacked, you may restore it in only a few minutes using the backup.
Although backup services are offered by most web hosts, it is still wise to purchase a separate backup tool. For this reason, many WordPress users prefer using backup tools like BlogVault or Backupbuddy.
3. Enable Two Factor Authentication
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress login process. Instead of just relying on a username and password, 2FA requires a second verification step to confirm your identity before granting access. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised. There are a few plugins too for this like WP 2FA, Two-Factor.
4. Using a Security Plugin To Fortify Your WordPress Security
Installing a security plugin is a very efficient and easy way to secure your WordPress website from hackers, malwares, or any sort of security issues. Utilizing security plugins can significantly enhance the security posture of your WordPress site.
There are very well-known security plugins which you could use to tackle WordPress security issues. Some of them are:
Sucuri Security: It is a free plugin. With the help of this plugin, you could audit security activity, monitor file integrity, scan your website for any malware infections, monitor blocklist and much more.
Wordfence: Another security plugin worth mentioning, probably one of the most favourite security plugins for WordPress. It has many features like you could establish a firewall, it scans malware, it also helps in monitoring login attempts. Moreover, it provides real-time threat defense feed to block common security threats.
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5. Implementing Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Another easy tip for enhancing your WordPress Security. By implementing Web Application Firewall, you could block malicious traffic from reaching your website.
It actively observes all incoming traffic, scanning for any signs of potentially harmful activities, such as injecting malicious code into your site. This code injection could compromise your data and harm visitors. Additionally, it prevents automated attempts to guess passwords, thereby thwarting unauthorized access. Furthermore, it fortifies your website’s security by halting attackers from injecting malicious scripts through Cross-site scripting (XSS), which may harm visitors. Moreover, it provides a protective barrier for your database, guarding against SQL injection attacks that aim to pilfer sensitive information.
For implementing WAF, there are plugins available, such as Sucuri, Wordfence, etc.
6. Moving Your WordPress Website From Http to SSL/Https
Switching your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS is crucial for both security and SEO. This migration involves securing your site with an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate, which encrypts the data exchanged between your website and users’ browsers.
Once you have enabled SSL, your website now will use HTTPS instead of HTTP, you can see a padlock icon next to the domain address in address bar of your browser. For this you will need to a buy SSL certificate from a trusted Certificate authority (CA), moreover you could get SSL certificate for free through services like Let’s Encrypt.
7. Don’t Use Admin username
Avoid using the username Admin as it’s commonly targeted and easily guessed.
By refraining from utilizing the admin username, you decrease the risk of brute force attacks and falling victim to social engineering scams. Opting for a unique username fortifies security by making it considerably more challenging for hackers to compromise your login credentials.
- To change the default Admin username in WordPress log in to your WordPress dashboard using the existing Admin username.
- Go to Users » Add New.
- Fill in the required fields to create a new user account. Ensure to give this account Administrator privileges.
- Choose a unique username for this new account.
- Log out of WordPress
- Log in again, but this time using the new Administrator account you just created.
- Once you’ve logged in with the new Administrator account, go to Users » All Users.
- Locate the old Admin account in the list of users and hover over it.
- Click on the Delete link below the username.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
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8. Harden your WordPress Site
To enhance the protection of your website against a variety of online threats, implementing WordPress hardening techniques is recommended by the WordPress security team.
These measures encompass various technical steps such as restricting the execution of PHP files, disabling file editing, updating security keys, among others. Understandably, these actions require a certain level of technical proficiency with the WordPress backend and related tools.
For those seeking a simpler approach to fortifying their site one can use MalCare plugin. With MalCare’s WordPress hardening functionality, most security measures can be implemented effortlessly through its user-friendly dashboard in just a few clicks.
9. Integrate Security Questions into the WordPress Login Screen
Integrating security questions into the WordPress login screen is a proactive measure to enhance security. There are many plugins for this purpose. Just Install any one of the plugins and activate it. Then navigate to plugins setting in WordPress dashboard. Look at options related to security and adjust it as per your preference. Many plugins also give you the option to create your own security questions. There are some additional fields like number of security questions, question types etc.
Once done activate the feature that enables security questions during the login process. This setting is usually found within the security questions plugin settings.
10. Disable XML-RPC
XML-RPC, which stands for Extensible Markup Language Remote Procedure Call, is a protocol used in WordPress for communication between your website and other applications or services. Essentially, it allows programs written in different languages to interact with your WordPress site using standardized XML messages.
Disabling XML-RPC on your WordPress site can be a good security measure as it can potentially reduce the risk of attacks like brute-force login attempts and pingback spam. However, it’s important to weigh certain things before you disable XML-RPC
- Do you use any tools or plugins that rely on XML-RPC? If so, disabling it will break their functionality.
- Is your website at high risk of attacks? If not, the security benefit might be minimal.
- Are there alternative security measures you can implement? Consider strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and keeping your software updated.
One can disable XML-RPC using a plugin. Moreover, you could add a code snippet to functions.php file to disable it. You can also add a code to. httacess file to disable it. First you should weigh the benefits then you should move ahead with this WordPress security tip.
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11. Update Your WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
Keeping your software current stands as a pivotal security measure for your WordPress website. Regularly check for updates within your WP admin area to maintain the latest versions. Moreover, WordPress facilitates the streamlined updating of plugins in bulk, but exercising caution is crucial. Prior to initiating updates, perform a thorough backup of your website as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, conduct a comprehensive post-update audit to identify and address any unexpected alterations or issues. This meticulous approach not only enhances the security posture of your WordPress site but also contributes to its seamless and efficient operation.
12. Perform Vulnerability Scans
Vulnerability scans act as your digital security shields, proactively identifying and addressing weak spots before attackers can exploit them. These scans crawl every corner of your site, searching for outdated software, weak passwords, misconfigured settings, and even known vulnerabilities in themes and plugins. By identifying these vulnerabilities, you can prioritize fixing them before attackers can use them to gain unauthorized access and wreak havoc on your site. There are many plugins for performing this task like Sucuri SiteCheck, Wordfence Security, SiteLock Website Security etc.
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13. Consider Using a Secure Web Host
Choosing a secure web host is one of the most important decisions you can make for your WordPress website. It is more than just finding a platform to store your files; it’s about finding a partner that proactively implements security measures to protect your data and visitors.
To ensure comprehensive protection, choose a web host that actively hunts and eliminates malware, utilizes robust firewalls, offers regular backups and redundant systems, includes SSL certificates with upgrade options, provides 2FA for secure logins, and boasts swift patching of vulnerabilities in their infrastructure and software. This comprehensive security approach safeguards your data and visitors from diverse threats.
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14. Disable Directory Browsing
For websites that are self-hosted, the directory browsing feature can be useful, but it also poses a risk as cybercriminals can exploit it to search for vulnerable plugins, themes, and backend website files. By utilizing FTP tools, hackers can gain access to your WordPress installation directory and delve into the backend files.
To mitigate this risk, the recommended approach is to disable directory browsing, and this can be achieved using the FileZilla FTP tool. Simply add the following line to your .htaccess file:
Options -IndexesThis directive instructs the server to disable directory listing, thereby preventing unauthorized access to sensitive files and directories.
Conclusion
In today’s era every business owner should be cautious of WordPress security issues. A single breach not only breaks the site but also business. WordPress is the most common target of hackers because of its popularity but adhering to these WordPress security tips can help you in keeping hackers and malwares at bay. At Lime Street our developers are highly skilled in implementing WordPress security measures. Feel free to contact our skilled developers if you need help with WordPress security issues
