7 ways to secure WordPress Website
WordPress is undoubtedly the most widely used Content Management System (CMS) for websites and blogs, powering millions of sites around the world. Its popularity stems from its flexibility, ease of use, and vast ecosystem of themes and plugins. However, like any CMS, WordPress is not immune to security vulnerabilities. Its widespread adoption makes it a frequent target for hackers and scammers who exploit outdated plugins, weak passwords, unpatched software, or poorly configured servers.
As a WordPress user, it is crucial to take proactive steps to enhance your website’s security. This includes implementing strong passwords, regularly updating themes, plugins, and WordPress core, and using security plugins that monitor for suspicious activity. Additionally, setting up a secure hosting environment and using an SSL certificate can provide encrypted communication between your site and its visitors, further protecting sensitive data. By adopting these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of attacks, safeguard your content, and provide a safer experience for your website visitors.
1. Stay up-to-date:
WordPress is an open-source platform, which makes it popular but also a frequent target for hackers and malicious users. Regularly updating your website—including the WordPress core, plugins, and themes—is essential to keep it secure. Updates not only fix known security vulnerabilities but also improve performance and stability. By staying current, you prevent hackers from exploiting outdated software and ensure your WordPress-powered website remains protected against the latest threats.
2. Only use reliable sources for themes & plugins:
Always install themes and plugins from trusted sources, such as the official WordPress repository or reputable developers. Check online reviews, the number of active installations, and the ‘last updated’ date before adding anything to your site. Avoid downloading free themes or plugins from unverified sites, as these can contain malicious code or backdoors that hackers can exploit. Using trusted sources ensures your website remains secure while maintaining compatibility with updates.
3. Remove unused themes and plugins
Inactive or unused themes and plugins can still pose security risks. Hackers may exploit vulnerabilities hidden in these unused items, even if you’re not actively using them. Regularly auditing your website and removing unnecessary plugins and themes reduces potential attack surfaces, improves site speed, and keeps your WordPress installation cleaner and safer.
4. Remove the ‘admin’ username:
By default, WordPress creates an “admin” user during installation. Hackers know this, which means half of your login credentials are already predictable. Leaving the default username makes it easier for attackers to attempt brute-force attacks. Always create a new administrative username and delete the default “admin” account to strengthen your login security and make unauthorized access significantly harder.
5. Use a secure password:
Many users choose simple, easy-to-remember passwords, but these are extremely vulnerable to attacks. Use strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts, and consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords safely. Strong passwords are one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your website from brute-force attacks..
6. Monitor your files
Monitoring changes to your website files is an important security measure. Plugins like Wordfence or iTheme Security allow you to track file modifications and receive alerts if suspicious activity occurs. Unexpected changes to core files, themes, or plugins can indicate a potential hack or malware infection. Regular monitoring helps you respond quickly and mitigate threats before they cause significant damage.
7. Use secure hosting
Choose a hosting provider that prioritizes security and offers advanced protection measures. Features such as automated backups, server firewalls, malware scanning, SSL certificates, and updated server software help maintain a secure environment for your website. Reliable hosting ensures your site is protected at the server level, complementing all other WordPress security measures you implement.
Server Gigabit do offers WordPress Hosting which makes WordPress Websites perform significantly better as well.
If you are looking for premium hosting that comes with SSD and better security features,
For VPS, high performance SSD VPS, dedicated IP and ultra fast bandwidth are some of the highlighted features our users get to enjoy. Click HERE to know more.
