5 Tips for Keeping Your WordPress Website Secure

WordPress has become one of the most popular website platforms in the world, powering over 35% of all websites on the internet. However, the increasing popularity of WordPress has also made it an attractive target for hackers and cybercriminals. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your website secure and protected from any potential security threats.

Here are the 5 essential tips to help you keep your WordPress website secure.

Keep WordPress and Plugins Updated

Regularly Check for Updates

WordPress and plugins are often updated to address security concerns and improve functionality. Set aside time to regularly check for updates and install them. This can be done manually from your WordPress dashboard or through automatic updates.

Remove Unused Plugins and Themes

Unused plugins and themes can create vulnerabilities in your website’s security. Hackers often exploit outdated and unused plugins and themes to infiltrate websites. Therefore, it is recommended that you remove any plugins and themes that are not currently in use, and updates should be made to the ones that are.

Choose Reliable Plugins and Themes

When selecting a plugin or theme for your website, ensure that it is from a reputable source. Unreliable plugins can cause compatibility issues and security concerns. Ensure that you only use plugins and themes from trusted sources.

Make Sure Your Hosting Provider is Using Secure Hosting Options

It is important to choose a hosting provider that offers secure hosting options. The use of secure hosting options will ensure that your website has the highest level of security possible, and hosting providers regularly update their servers and software to ensure this.

Hire a Professional

Website security can be complex and time-consuming. If you’re not sure how to update your WordPress website and plugins, or your website has already been hacked, it is best to hire a professional. SWHA professionals can help you secure your website, update it, and ensure that it remains safe from cyber-attacks.

Use Strong Login Credentials

Your login credentials, or login details, are the username and password that you use to access your WordPress website as an administrator. These credentials provide access to all functionalities of the website, including changing site settings, installing plugins, and creating or deleting web pages.

Creating strong login credentials is the first critical step to reduce the chances of unauthorized access to your website. Weak login credentials can be easily cracked, guessed, or stolen, leading to security breaches and loss of sensitive information. Hackers can use compromised credentials to inject malware, steal customer data, or use your website for malicious activities, impacting your website’s reputation and your brand.

Here are the tips to create strong login credentials for your WordPress website.

Use a Unique Username

Avoid using the default username “admin” on your WordPress website, as it’s the most commonly used username and therefore more susceptible to attacks. Instead, use a unique username that’s difficult to guess, such as a random combination of letters and numbers.

Use a Complex Password

Your password should be complex, with a minimum length of 12-14 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information, such as names, birthdates, or commonly used words, as they can be easily guessed.

Change your Password Regularly

To maintain the security of your website, change your password frequently, at least every three months. This prevents attackers from using the same password for an extended period to gain access to your site.

Use a Password Manager

Password managers are tools that enable you to create and store strong passwords for your different online accounts, including your WordPress website. This saves you the hassle of remembering passwords and ensures that you’re using unique, complex passwords for each account. Popular password manager tools include Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress website by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code sent to your mobile phone or an email verification. This ensures that even if your login credentials are compromised, attackers will still require a second form of authentication to gain access to your website.

Install Security Plugins

One of the most effective ways to secure your WordPress website is by installing security plugins. Security plugins can help you monitor and protect your website from various security threats and vulnerabilities.

Install a Firewall Plugin

Firewall plugins are designed to scan your website for malicious traffic and block all suspicious requests. This type of plugin works as a barrier between your website and potential attackers.

There are many good firewall plugins available, such as Wordfence, iThemes Security, and Sucuri Security, each offering its unique features for securing your website.

Install an Anti-Malware Plugin

Malware is a type of software that can harm your website by infecting it with viruses, spyware, or harmful scripts. An anti-malware plugin scans your website for malware and removes it from your website.

Some of the popular anti-malware plugins include MalCare, Anti-Malware Security, and Exploit Scanner. Installing an anti-malware plugin can help you keep your website safe from harmful attacks.

Install a Login Limiting Plugin

Brute force attacks are a common type of attack, where attackers try to guess your login credentials by making multiple login attempts. A login limiting plugin can help you stop multiple login attempts by implementing a limit on the number of login attempts.

Recommended login limiting plugins include Loginizer, Limit Login Attempts, and Jetpack Protect. These plugins can help you keep your website secure from brute force attacks.

Install a Security Scanner Plugin

A security scanner plugin scans your website for vulnerabilities and security threats. These types of plugins check your website for outdated plugins and themes, weak passwords, and other security-related issues.

Some of the popular security scanner plugins include WPScan, WP Activity Log, and All-In-One Security (AIOS). Installing a security scanner plugin can help you detect potential security threats and vulnerabilities before they become significant problems.

Install a Two-Factor Authentication Plugin

Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that helps you protect your website from unauthorized access. In this process, a user needs to enter a one-time password (OTP) generated by the plugin after entering the username and password.

Plugins like Google Authenticator, Keyy Two Factor Authentication, and Duo Two-Factor Authentication can help you secure your website with an additional authentication layer.

Backup Your Website Regularly

Website backup is essentially a copy of your website. Backing up your website regularly helps you to recover your website in the event of an attack or data loss. A website backup can help you to get your website up and running quickly, saving you time, money, and effort in the long run.

Use a Reliable Backup Plugin

There are many WordPress backup plugins available, but not all of them are reliable. You should choose a backup plugin from a reputable developer. Additionally, the plugin should offer regular updates, and customer support should be top-notch. Popular backup plugins include UpdraftPlus, Jetpack VaultPress, and WPvivid.

Schedule Automatic Backups

Manually backing up your website can be a time-consuming process. However, most backup plugins allow you to schedule automatic backups.

With automatic backups, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of manually backing up your website. Set the backup frequency as per your needs and let the plugin do the work for you.

Use Multiple Backup Locations

Uploading your website backup to multiple locations is always a good idea. You can store your website backup on your computer, on an external hard drive, or on cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3.

If your website backup is stored in multiple locations, you’ll always have a backup available, even if one location fails.

Check Your Backup Frequently

Your backups are only as good as their effectiveness. It is crucial to ensure that your backup is functional and usable. Test your backup by restoring your website to a test server and make sure everything is working correctly. Regularly testing ensures that your backup works in case of a crisis.

Keep Your Backup Updated

Your website is likely to go through changes over time. It is important to keep your website backup updated regularly to include any new data or files added to the website. Updates ensure that the website can recover from any losses. So, keep updating your backups frequently and safely store them.

Use a DDoS Protection Service

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack is a malicious attack that targets websites, servers, and networks. The attacker floods the website with traffic from multiple sources, overwhelming the server and making the website inaccessible to legitimate users. DDOS attacks have become more common in recent years, and they can cause significant harm to businesses.

The use of a DDOS Protection Service is essential to ensure the security of your website. A DDOS service provider will monitor your website and detect any suspicious activity. In case of an attack, the service provider will block the malicious traffic and redirect it to a secure location, preventing it from reaching your website.

Choose the Right Provider

Not all DDOS protection services are created equal. It is important to choose a provider that offers comprehensive protection against a range of attacks, including layer 3, 4, and 7 attacks. Look for a provider that has experience in dealing with DDOS attacks and can provide you with the expertise and support you need in the event of an attack.

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN can significantly improve your website’s speed and provide DDOS protection. It distributes your website’s content across multiple servers, making it harder for hackers to launch a DDOS attack.

Use Layered Security

It’s essential to implement layered security measures to protect your website from potential attacks. In addition to using a DDOS protection service, consider implementing other security measures such as firewalls, regular security audits, and password protection.

How to Choose the Right DDOS Protection Service

Choosing the right DDOS protection service is critical for the security of your website. Here are some tips to help you choose the right provider:

– Look for Experience
Choose a service provider that has experience in dealing with DDOS attacks. Check their track record and look for customer reviews.

– Consider the Cost
DDOS protection services can be expensive, so consider your budget and choose a provider that offers the most value for your money.

– Scalability
Ensure the provider can handle large-scale attacks by offering scalability and resilience.

– Support
Choose a provider that offers reliable customer support to help you during an attack.

– Customization
Look for a provider that offers customization options to tailor their service to your specific needs.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can significantly improve the security of your WordPress website. Security is a critical aspect of running a website, and it’s important to take it seriously.

Remember, prevention is the key to avoiding security breaches, downtime, and lost data. A hacked website can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging to your reputation. That’s why it’s essential to invest in website security and regularly monitor your website activity.

It is important to keep in mind that website security is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. Regular backups, updates, and monitoring are essential to keep your website safe.

In conclusion, we hope these tips help you keep your WordPress website secure. If you need further assistance in securing your WordPress website, don’t hesitate to contact SWHA.