WordPress powers over 40% of all sites on the internet, making it a leading CMS as well as hackers’ favorite playground. They exploit vulnerable WordPress sites at an alarming rate, often taking less than 60 seconds to gain access. Just like that, months of hard work building content, establishing trust, and driving traffic are erased in an instant. If you are a business owner and running a WordPress website then you should know about WordPress security basics that will help you to optimize your website and help you to enhance your business.
Don’t let this happen to you!
Securing your WordPress site doesn’t have to include nightmares of wading through complicated programs and backend mechanisms. In fact, by following some simple best practices, you can sleep soundly knowing your website and data are safe. In this guide, you’ll get an actionable overview of the basics of locking down your WordPress site security, so you can focus on growing your business instead of worrying about hackers.
The Basics of Securing a WordPress Website
Taking time to control potential weaknesses (user accounts, permissions, and access controls) helps reduce the attack surface. No single security step eliminates risk, but minimizing exposure across all facets keeps your site safe. Here are a few to get you started.
1. Choose a Secure Web Host
Your web hosting provider is your first line of defense when it comes to security. So don’t settle for the first hosting provider you come across. Cheap, low-quality hosting companies don’t prioritize security as much as reputed hosting service providers do. A quality hosting company offers protection against common attacks like DDoS, brute-force login attempts, and suspicious traffic. They also offer automatic WordPress core, plugin, and theme updates. So, I recommend choosing a well-known premium host like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Kinsta. This will take a huge security burden off your shoulders.
2. Install an SSL certificate
You’ve likely seen the padlock icon and “https” in the address bar of secure sites. This indicates the site has an SSL certificate installed. SSL encrypts all data passed between the site and visitors’ browsers. This prevents hackers from snooping on sensitive information like customer data, account details, and credit card numbers. Without SSL, data is transmitted in plain unencrypted text. A hacker could intercept traffic and easily read confidential info if SSL isn’t in place.
Getting an SSL certificate installed on your WordPress site is a quick, easy process. Most managed WordPress hosts include free SSL certificates with hosting plans. The host handles the technical aspects of installation and configuration behind the scenes. If your host doesn’t offer free SSL, you can purchase a certificate through providers like DigiCert or GoDaddy for $50-100 per year depending on the validation level. The certificate cost is minor compared to the security and SEO benefits.
3. Use Strong Passwords
Hackers have sophisticated tools to rapidly guess weak passwords. But strong, complex passwords help defend against such brute-force login attempts.
When creating passwords, adhere to these best practices:
1. Keep the password minimum 12 characters long
2. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
3. Use numbers and symbols
4. Avoid common words or phrases
5. Don’t reuse passwords across accounts
For example, “Orang3Piano!” is exponentially stronger than “password123”.
Manually coming up with multiple unique, complex passwords is challenging. That’s where a password manager like LastPass or 1Password comes in handy. These tools automatically generate, store, and fill strong random passwords for all your sites and services. Also, using a password manager ensures that every user on your WordPress website has a robust unique password that can not be easily guessed.
Additionally, you can enable two-factor authentication (2FA) as an extra layer of protection. With 2FA, you enter your password and then receive a code via email or text to fully log in. This prevents access even if your password is compromised.
4. Enable Automatic Updates
The WordPress core, plugins, and themes you use on your site constantly receive vulnerability patches and security enhancements. Neglecting to update WordPress and installed plugins/themes is like leaving your doors and windows wide open for attackers. Hackers aggressively scan sites for older software versions ripe for exploitation because outdated WordPress websites are easy targets.
Unfortunately, most updates don’t automatically install in the background. Without enabling auto-updates, your site remains open to known security holes. At the same time, updating everything manually as patches are released is tedious and difficult to stay on top of.
That’s why enabling auto-updates is crucial.
You can take 5 minutes now to login to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Settings > General. Check the boxes to enable automatic background updates for the WordPress core, plugins, and themes. This simple step eliminates countless vulnerabilities, letting you breathe easier.
5. Limit User Accounts
Having an excessive number of users with backend access to your WordPress site increases vulnerabilities. Each account is an opportunity for compromise via a weak password or social engineering. So you must take steps to limit user accounts to the bare minimum required:
1. Delete old unused admin accounts from former employees or contractors.
2. Audit which team members truly need admin privileges vs standard author or editor access.
3. Create standard accounts for most content contributors without admin capabilities.
4. Only grant admin access when absolutely necessary for site maintenance tasks.
5. Disable the default admin account and create a new one with an obscure username.
6. Implement two-factor authentication for all user accounts.
7. Use a plugin like iThemes Security to require strong passwords.
8. Limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
9. Mask your login page from discovery via IP whitelisting plugins.
Your web hosting provider can also help limit access. For example, Bluehost offers temporary password protected access for contractors which automatically expires.
Bonus Security Tips for WordPress Plugins, Themes, and Web Content
Plugins, themes, and your site’s content can introduce vulnerabilities and put your website in danger if you’re not careful. Here are some best practices to lock down these elements.
Vet Plugins and Themes Thoroughly
It’s tempting to quickly find plugins and themes through Google searches, but downloading them from anywhere except the official WordPress repository comes with severe risks.
The repository reviews all submissions for security issues, whereas third-party sites do not. Themes/plugins from outside sources frequently contain backdoors, vulnerable code, and other threats left intentionally by unscrupulous developers.
Also, you must never use nulled or cracked plugins or themes which have had security restrictions removed. These commonly inject malware into your site. When installing new plugins and themes, follow these guidelines:
# Download directly from the WordPress repository only after verifying ratings, reviews, and reputation.
# Check when it was last updated. Avoid outdated plugins no longer supported.
# Look for developers who respond to user concerns and quickly patch bugs.
# Only install reputable options from well-known developers and companies.
# Don’t use excessive numbers of unnecessary plugins which create vulnerabilities.
With themes, use paid premium themes for enhanced security rather than free basic options. And limit plugins to essential ones with good support and maintenance.
Remove Abandoned or Unused plugins
Over time, plugins get abandoned when developers stop updating them. Outdated plugins pose significant security risks since newly discovered vulnerabilities go unpatched. Regularly audit your site for old unused plugins or ones with no updates recently. You can manually check, or use a plugin like Plugin Patrol to identify outdated plugins.
Either replace abandoned plugins with maintained alternatives or simply delete them if no longer needed. This eliminates plugins with known security holes from your site.
Sanitize and Validate Web Content
Elements like text submitted through forms, comments, input fields, etc., can introduce security issues if not properly sanitized. Always validate any user-generated content before displaying on your site. This prevents XSS attacks where users inject malicious JavaScript or iFrames containing viruses/malware into the site.
Using plugins like Google reCAPTCHA also helps prevent automated spam and malicious bots from submitting harmful content and runs content through filters to sanitize before saving or displaying.
Follow WordPress hardening guides
For advanced security, WordPress hardening guides provide tips like:
# Changing file permissions to enhance protection of sensitive files/folders
# Disabling file editing capabilities through the dashboard
# Disabling XML-RPC which is frequently attacked
# Modifying user authorization settings
# Removing error messages that expose site details
Securing a WordPress Website does not Require being Tech-savvy, just Careful
Staying on top of WordPress security doesn’t need to be a monumental, full-time task. Just by implementing the basics like automatic updates, vetted plugins, regular scans, and the right security plugins, you can protect your website assets and sleep better at night knowing your business is secure.
Alternatively, you can hire WordPress developers from third-party service providers to do this on your behalf. This is a cost-effective choice, especially for business owners with no extra time on their hands. Just make sure to choose the right provider. Here is a quick list of top WordPress development companies in India (the most outsourced-to nation) to get you started, if you want to proceed this way.
# Brandconn Digital
# Crest Coder
# Mobikasa
# Salt Technologies
# SunTec India
# Fooz
# Roorko
# TechnoScore
# WP Web Infotech
With a few proactive steps, you can avoid joining the ranks of compromised sites. Spend an hour or two today going through this article and securing your WordPress site.
