Website security is immensely crucial for all website owners. On a daily basis, Google blacklists over 10,000 websites for malware and around 50,000 for phishing every week. If you’re genuinely concerned about the security of your website, it’s imperative that you adhere to the best practices for WordPress security. Here’s how to create a secure WordPress site.
What are good ways to make WordPress more secure?
1. Keeping WordPress updated
WordPress is a fantastic open-source software that is regularly updated and well-maintained. Minor updates are installed automatically, while major releases require manual initiation. WordPress also comes with a wide array of plugins and themes that you can easily install on your website. These plugins and themes are developed and maintained by third-party developers, who keep releasing updates. Keeping your WordPress core, plugins, and theme up to date is vital for the security and stability of your WordPress site. Make sure to prioritize regular updates!
2. Add HTTPS/SSL
Most websites now use HTTPS, so if your site isn’t using it yet, you should contact your web host about adding a free SSL certificate. Simply set the WordPress address and site address to use https:// in the General Settings tab. If your site is transitioning from insecure to secure, you might want to consider the Really Simple SSL plugin, which is used by over 5 million websites. It makes the conversion to HTTPS much easier by taking care of redirects and other tasks.
3. Use VPN when accessing the admin panel
Do you know what is the largest danger in WordPress site security? It is you. If you have a weak password or connect from a public network to your admin panel, you can be hacked. VPN for Windows can encrypt traffic and hide its routing from strangers. Although in this case, you will have to download VPN for your PC, you can significantly reduce various risks. If you need a good VPN, try VeePN for PC or another device. VeePN allows you to connect up to 10 devices to your account and is available on almost all platforms. Use VPN apps and you can protect yourself from many types of threats.
4. Use a secure admin username
A large number of security attacks on the WordPress login screen are conducted using the username “Admin”.
There are two primary types of attacks that attempt to crack the login password:
- Brute force attack: This involves automated hacking software attempting to guess the admin password by using different combinations of words, letters, and numbers.
- Dictionary attack: In this type of attack, the hacking software uses common passwords to try and guess the admin login details.
5. Enforce strong passwords
Don’t let anyone, especially users with admin-level privileges, create weak passwords. Even users with low website privileges, such as the subscriber level, can become a way for attackers to gain access. Therefore, it’s important to require strong passwords for anyone who can log into the WordPress site.
The widely-used iThemes Security WordPress plugin, which has over 1 million users, provides features for enforcing strong login passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
You can also enable a password security policy that enforces strong passwords using the Wordfence WordPress security plugin. It is also reasonable to require the use of VPN Microsoft Edge by VeePN when connecting to the admin panel. Although this measure may seem redundant to some, it is worth it if you are worried about the security of your website.
6. Update plugins and themes
Updating plugins, themes, and core WordPress installation is crucial to fix vulnerabilities and maintain site security. Neglecting updates can expose your site to potential risks. Although most updates work smoothly, occasionally an update may conflict with other plugins or themes, leading to site crashes. In such cases, restoring the site to a previous state using a backup is simple. The recommended way to update plugins and themes is to stage the site and ensure everything functions smoothly before applying the updates. If staging is not an option, the alternative is to back up the site prior to updating.
7. Backup your WordPress website
Backing up a website every day is crucial. There are numerous things that can go wrong, but having a backup can be a lifesaver when something catastrophic happens to the site. One popular and trusted solution is the UpdraftPlus WordPress Backup Plugin, which boasts over 3 million users.
Another well-known option is WP Rollback, which has been installed by over 200,000 users. The software creators are trusted and experienced WordPress developers.
Conclusion
The cybersecurity of a WordPress site depends on what measures you take. WordPress has everything you need to protect, but the human factor and ignorance of basic protection techniques still make the site vulnerable. With these procedures, you can protect yourself from 99% of cyber threats.
Paul Lian is a researcher, writer, and founder of WayToChanges.com. With over eight years of experience in blogging, digital marketing, copywriting, and digital products, he has built multiple six-figure income streams. Through his blog, Paul shares his best expertise, strategies, and tools to help readers achieve financial freedom and success in their own digital ventures.