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Do I need a server level firewall to protect my WordPress website?

Cyber-crime is nothing new, but the publicity around GDPR has pushed website security to the top of mind. The security of your website probably isn’t something you dwell on too much, but it’s not an area you can afford to leave ticking along without continuous monitoring.

To keep your WordPress website safe from malicious bots, exploits, malware and viruses, you need a reliable .htaccess firewall. There are several firewall plugins available but a code-based firewall is preferable.

Hold up, what’s a firewall?

Firewalls have been one of the first lines of defence in network security for over 25 years. It is a network security device that decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of rules.

Put simply, they establish a barrier between trusted and untrusted outside networks to make sure your WordPress site is protected from possible harm.

Why does my WordPress site need a firewall?

Firewalls enhance your website security. It’s called a fire WALL because it is, essentially, a wall of code to protect your site.

As WordPress is such a popular platform, it has experienced a number of security issues in the past. It’s, unfortunately, a popular target for hackers. However, the majority of WordPress websites that get attacked are usually down to personal negligence rather and a failure to implement basic security measures.

By applying some common sense, changing passwords regularly, and downloading a firewall, you make it harder for your site to be hacked. This is the bare minimum you should be doing to keep your data and reputation safe.

What type of firewall do I need?

You can choose between a firewall plugin or a code-based firewall. A code-based firewall protects the site at the server level. This means it is processed by your web server before any other code on your site. This type of firewall eliminates the need to load PHP, site assets or the database which keeps your website’s speed faster than a plugin solution would.

For optimum security and performance, a server level firewall is the best choice.

What does a server-level firewall do?

A server level firewall does many things to keep your WordPress website secure, and working to the best of its capabilities. It will take care of the following:

  • Forbid proxy comment posting
  • Block access to debug log file
  • Disable trace and track
  • Deny bad or malicious query strings
  • Protect against Cross Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Block fake Googlebots from crawling your site
  • Prevent image hotlinking
  • Add custom rules to block access to various resources of your site

Here at WP Tech Support, we can handle all aspects of your WordPress site’s security and maintenance to ensure you’re protected – including installing a firewall, monitoring for malware 24/7 and backing up your website to our secure cloud server.

Our great value monthly plans range from just £35 per month – a small price to pay to ensure your website is healthy, optimised and secure. In fact, we’re so sure that you’ll love it that we are offering a 30-day free trial.

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