Introduction
At present WordPress runs over 40% of all websites online making it the most frequently targeted by hackers. As a developer protecting your WordPress site represents one of the fundamental duties you must maintain for your online presence. Secure sites shield both your data content as well as your user base from losing trust in your system. The following steps will secure and protect your WordPress site.
1. Ensure all WordPress Core versions and Plugins and Themes maintain their latest updates
Security issues sometimes get resolved during software update releases. Your WordPress site remains vulnerable to hackers because you use outdated versions of WordPress core, plugins or themes.
How to do it
- Turn on automatic updates for WordPress core by adding this to your wp-config.php file:
define(‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE’, true);
- Regularly update your plugins and themes through the admin dashboard or use the CLI:
wp plugin update –all
wp theme update –all
2. Your protection needs two components: choose powerful passwords combined with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) activation.
Weak passwords remain one of the most vulnerable entry points hackers exploit but adding two-factor authentication provides your accounts better protection.
How to do it
- Store your complex passwords through LastPass or Bitwarden which automatically create secure passwords.
- You should install 2FA plugins from Google Authenticator or Two Factor Authentication for protection.
3. Limit Login Attempts
Your passwords remain vulnerable to brute force attacks performed by hackers. By restricting login attempts hacker attempts become significantly more difficult to succeed.
How to do it
- The plugin Limit Login Attempts Reloaded provides this functionality.
- For a more manual approach, you can block suspicious IPs by adding this to your .htaccess file:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} POST
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} .(wp-login|xmlrpc).php*
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} ^$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{REMOTE_ADDR} !^123\.123\.123\.123$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ - [F,L]
</IfModule>
4. Use Secure Hosting
Website security depends heavily on your selected hosting provider. Your hosting environment serves as a blocking system that empowers protection from many attacks before malicious content reaches your website.
How to do it
- Select WP Engine or Kinsta or SiteGround as your hosting solution among the reliable options.
- When selecting hosting make sure you choose features that automatically backup your site and safeguard from DDoS attacks and search for malware presence.
5. Configure HTTPS and SSL Certificates
Your site users can protect sensitive password information by using the data encryption capabilities of HTTPS between their devices and your website.
How to do it
- Users have two SSL options to choose as Let’s Encrypt provides free certificates and subscriptions exist at your hosting provider.
- Open Settings > General and modify your web address to utilize HTTPS.
- Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL or add this to your .htaccess file to force HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
6. Implement a Web Application Firewall through your system.
Unlike conventional security systems a WAF functions as an active defensive measure since it tools attacks before they reach your site.
How to do it
- The online protection of your site requires Cloudflare or Sucuri’s services.
- WAFs are available through certain hosting providers as part of their core services; so confirm their WAF options by contacting your hosting company.
7. Regularly Backup Your Site
You quickly restore your site when things fail because you maintain current backups of your website.
How to do it
- Your site needs plugins such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.
- Secure your backups through storage in platforms such as Google Drive Dropbox or AWS S3.
- Automatic backups created through scheduling will keep your preparedness at its peak.
8. You should mask your WordPress Admin Login URL
The default WordPress login pages at /wp-admin or /wp-login.php frequently become targets for hackers. The modification of these URLs reduces the likelihood that hackers will discover your login access.
How to do it
- The WPS Hide Login plugin serves as an installation to protect your WordPress login access.
- Users should also steer clear of login and admin pages which employ simple guesses as their target destinations.
9. Scan for Malware Regularly
Detecting malware at an early stage guarantees you will face less problems.
How to do it
- The Wordfence plug-in and iThemes Security serve to protect your site from threats.
- Routine scanning procedures followed by result analysis stand as an essential security practice.
10. Minimize Plugin and Theme Usage
Each additional plugin and theme your website runs increases the threat of potential breaches.
How to do it
- Review all your plugins for inactive tools so you can successfully remove them.
- Choose plugin and theme downloads strictly from the trusted WordPress repository.
11. Restrict File Permissions
When file permissions are set improperly hackers gain access to files carrying sensitive information.
How to do it
- Set file permissions like this:
chmod 755 /path/to/your/wordpress-directory
chmod 644 /path/to/your/wordpress-directory/wp-config.php
- The only permission for writing should be granted if there is an absolute requirement.
12. Disable Directory Listing
Enabling directory listings lets attackers see your folder contents therefore providing information that can help them create attack strategies.
How to do it
- Add this to your .htaccess file:
Options -Indexes
Conclusion
Once you protect your WordPress site it does not become secure forever because you must continue this protection effort. It’s an ongoing process. Using this prescription you can significantly lower the risk that hackers might attack your site. Your site security efforts protect both your user base and your business identity along with your data’s integrity.
