21 Steps to WordPress Site Security

Every day, an average of 90,000 websites fall victim to hackers’ attacks. As the most widely used content management system in the world, WordPress is at the top of hackers’ target list. By taking precautions against WordPress security vulnerabilities, you can protect your site from internet pirates.

Here are the security measures you need to implement for your WordPress site.

Personal Security

Protect your computer from malicious software such as trojans and keyloggers with antivirus programs. Also, be cautious about logging into devices and networks that you’re not sure are secure.

Trustworthy Hosting Company

Choose hosting providers that offer services equipped with dedicated server monitoring systems and additional security layers.

PHP Version Control

Updating the PHP version not only improves the speed of your WordPress site but also eliminates compatibility issues encountered when installing new plugins.

Strong Password

Create a complex password for your WordPress site’s admin panel login credentials, consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, to protect it from brute force attacks. Also, change the default “admin” username given during WordPress installation.

Login Error Messages

Hide login error messages by adding necessary code to the functions.php file.

Free Themes and Plugins

Nulled themes and plugins, which lack proper licensing, can be easily hacked and may contain spam links and ads. When you purchase a premium (paid, licensed) theme or plugin, you receive a unique license key. Additionally, you can benefit from performance improvements for your WordPress site with version updates provided by the developer.

Theme and Plugin Updates

Install themes and plugins promptly when new versions are released to avoid technical issues and mitigate security vulnerabilities.

WordPress Version

Use the latest version of WordPress, which includes security updates. Conceal the WordPress version by editing the functions.php file to prevent potential attacks.

Hotlink Protection

Activate hotlink protection via the .htaccess file to prevent files on your site from being used on other sites without permission.

WordPress File Editor

Disable the WordPress file editing permission from the wp-config.php file to prevent shell attacks via the admin panel. Also, remember to change the wp-config file path with a new directory code.

WordPress File Permissions

Adjust WordPress file permissions by setting the chmod values correctly.

.htaccess Security Measure

Adjust the .htaccess file to prevent external execution of the wp-config.php file, which is crucial for avoiding directory scanning and unauthorized database access.

Two-Factor Authentication

Activate two-factor authentication by installing the Google Authenticator plugin for WordPress, adding an extra layer of security to user logins.

PHP Remote Command Execution

Guard against remote command execution in PHP files by creating a text file with security codes and saving it as .htaccess. Then, place this file within the wp-content and wp-includes directories.

Disable XML-RPC

Turn off the xmlrpc.php file, a remote procedure call protocol for HTTP, to mitigate the risk of brute force attacks. You can accomplish this through a plugin or by modifying the .htaccess file.

SSL Certificate

Employ an SSL certificate to establish an encrypted secure connection protocol, safeguarding sensitive data such as credentials and payment information from third-party access. Moreover, SSL certificates positively impact SEO efforts as they are recognized as a ranking factor by search engines.

Rename Files

Secure your admin panel by renaming wp-login.php and wp-admin folders. Additionally, change the database table prefix wp_ to prevent SQL attacks.

DDoS Protection

Safeguard your WordPress site from DDoS attacks and enhance site speed by setting up Cloudflare.

Bot and Spam Blocking

Prevent malicious bots and spam sites by adding necessary codes to the .htaccess file.

WordPress Backup

Ensure that your hosting company regularly backs up your WordPress site. Alternatively, you can perform backup tasks yourself using plugins or manually. Utilize plugins like VaultPress, BackUpWordPress, and BackupGuard for backup tasks. Don’t forget to delete unused plugins and themes before backing up.

Security Scans

Conduct security scans for malware, spam, and virus threats on your WordPress site at regular intervals. Enhance overall security with plugin such as Wp Safe Zone.

The “WP Safe Zone” plugin is a powerful tool designed to enhance the security of your WordPress site through comprehensive security scans. With WP Safe Zone, you can fortify your website against various threats, including malware, viruses, and suspicious activities.

Key features of the WP Safe Zone plugin include:

1. Malware Detection: The plugin scans your WordPress site thoroughly to detect any signs of malware or malicious code injections.

2. Vulnerability Assessment: It identifies vulnerabilities in your site’s plugins, themes, and core files, allowing you to patch them before they can be exploited by attackers.

3. Security Alerts: WP Safe Zone sends you instant alerts if it detects any suspicious activity or security threats on your site, enabling you to take prompt action to mitigate risks.

4. Scheduled Scans: You can schedule regular security scans to ensure ongoing protection for your WordPress site and stay proactive in guarding against potential security breaches.

5. Detailed Reports: The plugin provides detailed reports of its scans, highlighting any security issues found and offering recommendations for remediation.

By leveraging the WP Safe Zone plugin, you can significantly bolster the security posture of your WordPress site and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your online presence is safeguarded against cyber threats.