WordPress powers 43.2% of websites worldwide, making it the most popular content management system (CMS). However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for cyberattacks. Hackers often look for vulnerabilities in WordPress sites.
While WordPress itself is secure, many breaches happen because users don’t follow best security practices. That’s why it’s essential to take some preventive steps to protect your website before it’s too late.
This article will outline 10 simple ways to improve the security of your WordPress site. These tips are easy to follow and will help protect your site from attacks. Some of them even work on other platforms.
1. Keep Your WordPress Site Updated
First and foremost, always keep WordPress up to date. Updates often fix security issues and bugs. So, updating your WordPress core, themes, and plugins can prevent attacks.
2. Use Strong Login Credentials
Weak passwords make your site an easy target. Be sure to create strong usernames and passwords. Instead of “admin,” choose a unique username. Using a password manager can also help you create and store complex passwords.
3. Restrict Access to Your Admin Area
It’s important to limit who can access your WordPress admin page. You can whitelist trusted IP addresses and block others. This makes it harder for hackers to even reach your login page.
4. Choose a Secure WordPress Theme
Always pick a theme from a trusted source. Free themes from unknown websites could have hidden malicious code. Well-maintained themes are more likely to receive updates, making them safer.
5. Install an SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate encrypts the data that passes between your site and its visitors. This ensures that any sensitive information stays safe. It’s an easy and essential step to secure your site.
6. Remove Unused Themes and Plugins
Unused themes and plugins can create vulnerabilities. It’s important to remove any that you are not using. Simply deactivating them is not enough; delete them completely.
7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection. Even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone.
8. Back Up Your Site Regularly
Backing up your site is crucial. If your site gets hacked, a backup lets you quickly restore it. Make sure to store backups in more than one place, like on your computer and in the cloud.
9. Limit Login Attempts
Hackers often use brute-force attacks, trying many password combinations to get in. You can stop this by limiting login attempts. After a few failed attempts, the user will be locked out.
10. Change Your Login Page URL
Finally, you can change the default login page URL. By default, WordPress uses “/wp-admin” or “/wp-login.php,” which hackers know. Changing this makes it harder for them to find your login page.