Security

Whether you run a hobby blog, an online business, or an eCommerce shop, WordPress security should be a priority. After all, Google blacklists thousands of websites each day for malware and phishing. And while some of these sites are being used for malicious intent, some of them are legitimate websites that have been hacked, sometimes without the website owner noticing.

Of course, the default WordPress core is routinely audited by the WordPress Security Team and is generally secure. In fact, because of the proactive approach the team behind WordPress takes to keep people's websites safe, it's often more secure than other popular content management systems.

But that doesn't mean you should neglect your site and forget your own WordPress security efforts.

Luckily, there are many actionable security measures available you can implement so hackers can't gain access to your site and ruin all your hard work.

But first, let's take a look at how secure WordPress is and the types of WordPress vulnerabilities there are.

There are many ways to implement additional WordPress security measures on your website, beyond what the WordPress core provides. In fact, it's absolutely necessary to do at least some of these to make sure you, your website, and your site visitors are fully protected.

We specialize in helping those with websites that have been hacked with malware or viruses. Not only do we have a team of experts that can clean up and fix your site, we can do it quickly so your site isn't flagged and banned.

1. Update WordPress:
   One of the easiest ways to protect your WordPress site is to make sure you run all updates when they are released.
2. Use a Secure Web Host
   Your host stores all your website's data and files on their servers. And if their servers become compromised, your site becomes compromised too.
3. Enforce Strong Passwords and User Access
   One of the most common ways hackers get inside a WordPress website is using stolen passwords. And it doesn't just happen in the WordPress admin area. It also happens through your FTP and hosting accounts, the database
4. Add Two-Factor Authentication
   One way to get around this is to enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication involves a two-step process during the log in process. First, you have to input your password. Next, you'll need to receive a special code either via a SMS (text message), phone call, or a time-based one-time password app, such as Google Authenticator .
5. Use a WordPress Backup Plugin
   Just because your web host has implemented specific security measures doesn't mean security breaches can't happen. And you need a reliable way to get a copy of your website, outside the realm of your web host, just in case something happens.
6. Use a Security Plugin
   A good security plugin will include features such as:
   • Active security monitoring
   • Firewalls
   • Brute force attack prevention
   • Blacklist monitoring
   • Malware scanning and removal
   • Security hardening
   • Post-hack actions
   • File scanning
7. Use the Latest PHP Version
   WordPress is written using PHP as the scripting language. If you find that you're using an outdated version of PHP, reach out to your hosting provider and see what you can do about upgrading it.
8. Use an SSL Certificate
   

   SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that encrypts the data that transfers between your website and a user's browser. In other words, using an SSL certificate prevents hackers from intercepting any data that passes between your site visitor's browser and your site (and web host servers).

9. Limit Login Attempts
   WordPress allows users to login as many times as they want. This means your website is extremely vulnerable to attack, especially if a hacker is using automated bots to break in.
10. Change Your WordPress Login URL
    By default, your WordPress website's URL is domain.com/wp-admin. The problem with this is that hackers, bots, and scripts know this, making your website vulnerable to brute force attacks and other cybercrime.
11. Add security Questions to WordPress Login Page
    After you've changed your WordPress login page's URL, you can make it even harder for hackers to bypass it by adding a security question to the page before being able to login.
12. Hide WordPress Version
    It's not enough to hide your WordPress default login page from hackers. Since WordPress is such a target because it's so widely used, and hackers know they can exploit sites that have been neglected when it comes to security, it's important to hide the fact you use WordPress for your CMS.
13. Log Out Idle Users
    People that are logged into your site, but wander away from their screen leave your website vulnerable. For example, someone can hijack their session and make changes to your site, change passwords or account information, and even steal sensitive data.
14. Always Use Secure Connections
    You might not think about how important internet connections are, but they are crucial to WordPress security. Think about it. If you're in Starbucks using their network to work on your site's website, you open yourself up to hack attacks.
15. Disable File Editing
    WordPress gives you the ability to change theme and plugin files in the WordPress admin area using a built-in code editor. But if someone is able to hack into your site and access this, you could end up with a lot of security issues.

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