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5 simple ways to secure your WordPress website from hackers

The WordPress community is extremely diligent when it comes to keeping the platform secure. But it’s important to keep this in mind: WordPress is a safe environment if it’s managed properly.

Securing your WordPress site is about so much more than installing a security plugin and walking away, you need to update your site regularly to keep your information safe.

Do to the popularity of the WordPress platform, you can no longer afford to “set-it-and-forget-it” when it comes to the security of your website. As so many people use WordPress, it’s become a tempting target for hackers.

The more plugins, themes, and custom code you add to your site, the more likely it is to be hacked. Equally, the more users you add, the more likely you are to face an attempted hacking.

Being hacked is a fear every website owner shares – from individuals running a simple blog to a businesses with seven figure turnover. The fear is the same: you don’t want to lose your precious data and compromise your users.

By following these five simple tips, you can make sure your site will be better protected. Not only saving you time and money, but also preventing a huge heartache down the line if the worst happens.

1. Strengthen your password

Let’s start with the most basic tip of all – strengthening your password. You want to make it as unique, complex, and long as possible to prevent brute force attackers or guessing. As the most vulnerable area of your site, it’s important not to overlook this step.

Although complicated passwords can take longer to type in and cause you to have to consult your notebook where you’ve jotted it down, it’s better than leaving yourself vulnerable to an attack.

Top tip: Random strings of letters and numbers make the strongest passwords rather than real words.

2. Obscure the login Page

While we’re on the subject of logging in, did you know you can obscure your login page? Although hiding it won’t prevent hackers from accessing your site, it will certainly make it harder for them to do so.

Brute force attacks are typically automated and will, therefore, try and access your site using the following login URLS: www.websitename.com/wp-admin or www.websitename.com/wp-login.php.  Therefore, if your log in page is called something completely different, they’re going to have a really difficult time attacking.

Top tip: Many plugins are available to make this simple change, including Lockdown WP Admin.

3. Introduce two-factor authentication

Two-Factor Authentication has been around since 2013 as a way to add an extra layer of security to the login process. This means a password is required plus an authorisation code that is sent to your phone (by SMS) in order to login to your site.

Although this form of identification can be annoying, such as if you can’t find your phone or forget to charge it, it one of the most effective ways of deterring hackers.

Top tip: Check out these plugins that will help you add an extra step to the login page.

4. Cut back on plugin use

Any plugins and themes that you’re not using should be removed from your site. Not only do they slow down your site, affecting its performance, but the fewer plugins you have, the fewer chances you’re giving hackers to access your information.

So if your site can function without a particular plugin, delete it immediately. To keep your site secure, you should be scrupulous in the number of plugins you decide to use within your site.

Top tip: For more information about how to manage your site’s plugins, read this.

5. Backup your WordPress site regularly

Having the best security features installed on your site is a huge step to deter hackers, but none of it matters if you aren’t regularly backing up your site. Aside from hackers, data loss, hardware breakdown and human errors can easily happen at any time, so it’s worth investing in a robust backup solution.

When done right, a WordPress backup can effectively restore your entire website straight back to its previous condition leaving your business and reputation intact. This can be achieved by remote data storage centres, backup plugins and data recovery software.

Top tip: Having both an onsite and an offsite backup solution in place is sensible to protect your website and business reputation.

Website maintenance or management should be an ongoing part of your business strategy. If you don’t have the time, resource or expertise to do this regularly, it’s worth hiring someone to manage your site.

At WP Tech Support, we can handle all aspects of your site’s security to ensure you’re protected from hackers – including backing up your website to our secure cloud server for complete peace of mind.

Our great value monthly plans range from just £35 per month – a small price to pay to ensure your website stays healthy, up to date and secure. In fact, we’re so sure that you’ll love it that we will refund you if you’re not 100% happy!

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