WordPress alone is currently running more than 40% of all websites in use today and this makes it a desirable target for hackers. From viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and malware injections, to brute force attacks, hacked websites can lead to data loss, content modification, and loss of business. To erase all these, it will not be wise if there is not a good security plan to be implemented. Here are seven ways to keep your WordPress site safe from cyberattacks:
1. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
WordPress on the other hand was developed as a WordPress product and the official team is still releasing updates containing code that tries to cover any security issues. An existing WordPress site is another common way hackers can break into the WordPress site and corrupt all the WordPress themes and plugins. To stay ahead:
- It is also recommended to enable minor core WordPress version updates to happen automatically.
- One should monitor more frequently the themes and the plugins, which one can be utilizing.
- This is also true about themes as well as plug-ins since they are unnecessary features that give inputters an access point into the specific site.
2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
The two-factor authentication should also be always activated. The easiest way of preventing maximum access is to make sure that passwords are properly set and two-factor authentications are used. Here’s how:
- Passwords should combine the alphabet letters both small and large, symbols, and numbers.
- Never have the same passwords for the accounts of different sites/forums you use.
- This is another security standard that will prevent a hacker from accessing your account and you should allow two-factor authentication.
3. Limit Login Attempts
The example given to illustrate a brute force attack was one where the attacker tried and used different strings at different times to get into the system. The methods are mentioned below:
- You can block an IP address based on the number of tries that they have made.
- Plugins such as Login LockDown or the WP Limit Login Attempts plugin assist to block Brute Force attacks by locking out a user before he enters a right password.
4. Install a Security Plugin
Security plugins are employed in the assessment of your site’s performance in seeking any threats that may compromise its security, and in enhancing other compromising areas. Many top WordPress security plugins offer robust protection features, such as:
- The opportunity to ban or filter distinct IP addresses is a pertinent precaution against invasions of malware.
- Alerts on the possible intrusion to your site.
- These are Wordfence, Sucuri Security, and iThemes Security as they are the most popular WordPress plugins.
5. Use HTTPS/SSL Encryption
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate guarantees that all information exchanged between a user’s browser and your server is encrypted. Google also announced that the sites that support the Secure Socket Layer will be ranked high in search results. Here are the ways to do it:
- Make sure you have an SSL for your site and install it if you do not have one already.
- In the instance where paid SSL certificates are not necessary, websites can use tools such as Let’s Encrypt to use free SSL certificates.
6. Regularly Backup Your Website
Good security measures imply precautions as well as planning for a disaster regardless of its probability. Backups are important so that in the event of a hack or system failure you can easily revert back to your site. To optimize backup processes:
- For the backup operations that are routine and performed on a schedule, use either the UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy plugins.
- Back up your stores; it should also be important to store the stores outside this site because this site may be attacked.
7 Change Your Default Admin Username
Choosing “admin” as your default user name sends hackers a direct invitation to crack your security. Therefore, by modifying this default username you append a measure of security to your site. Follow these tips:
- When installing the software, it is recommended not to use the default name ‘admin.’
- If your current user name is “admin”, then I suggest you create a new user that contains super user access but delete the “admin” account.
Conclusion
The process of protecting your WordPress site from hackers is not an activity that will be done just once. The three main approaches for considering website security include; frequent site updates, login security, and data backup. Therefore, the more you stick to the recommended measures, your WordPress site will remain a secure site for your users.
