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WordPress is considered one of the most widely used CMSs in today’s digital landscape. However, WordPress sites are often vulnerable to hackers’ attacks due to some common and overlooked factors.
WordPress Security is something that should never be compromised. Bad security means the risk of malware and hack-attacks that can become extremely costly for any business.
Securing a WordPress page itself is not enough. A WordPress site must be fortified by limiting access to valuable files and user data. Making a few essential updates can significantly reduce the site’s chances of being attacked. These changes will modify how WordPress runs on a server, and the level of access users will have to the platform.
There should be no room for error, and every base should be covered. Hiring a WordPress web developer to secure and safeguard your site against malicious external intruders is better.
Below are some tips and tricks for securing WordPress.
Securing WordPress Login Page
Username and Password
WordPress has a default username of “admin” set for the primary admin account; however, this username can be changed. Changing the username to an email ID or an actual name makes the site more secure. The less predictable the username, the more difficult it is for hackers to break in.
When deciding on a password, choose a series of random numbers and letters without meaning. Try blending upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. The more random the password, the harder it is to crack. Keep the password length from 8 to 10 characters, making it harder to decipher. Change the password regularly to ensure WordPress security for the delicate information on the servers.
Limited Login Attempts
Brute-force attacks use numerous alphameric combinations to breach WordPress websites. Even if these persistent attacks are unsuccessful, they require immense processing power and server memory, causing the site to become slow. The simplest method to fend off brute-force attacks is to restrict the number of login attempts. By installing login protection plugins, IP addresses constantly trying to log in can be tracked. Upon multiple failed login attempts, the IP address is blocked from visiting the site’s login page.
Login Authentication
Going the extra mile and setting up a two-step login authentication fortifies the WordPress server from external threats. Logging into a WordPress site requires a code sent to the admin/user’s mobile using login authentication plugins. Anyone attempting to log in by force will either be redirected or blocked.
Changing The WordPress Login Page URL
A site can fall victim to a brute force attack only if the hackers know the URL of the login page. WordPress Security hides or changes the login page’s URL via obscurity, making the wp-admin directory and wp-login.pho pages undetectable. Changing the URL to something unique will make the login page impenetrable to potential breaches.
Securing WordPress Admin Control Panel and Database
WP-Admin Directory
The wp-admin directory is the core of WordPress websites; it controls every other site part. If this site area gets infiltrated by a hacker, the entire site can be brought down. Taking security measures such as password protection for the wp-admin directory can make breaking into it much harder. The website owner will have two passwords, one to access the WordPress admin area and the other for the login page. In this way, the website owner can grant or restrict users access to specific areas. It’s better to hire a WordPress web designer to
SSL
Employing SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is extremely important for any page containing confidential information. It gives the page an extra level of security by turning the http to https. SSL safely transfers data between user browsers and the server. It consists of a private key and a public key. SSL jumbles sensitive information into something random and unreadable for anyone accessing it. The private key is used at the browser’s end to make sense of the scrambled information again.
Obtaining an SSL certificate affects a site’s Google rankings. Sites with an SSL certificate rank higher than those without it. Furthermore, most browsers restrict access to sites without an SSL certificate.
Back-up
If the WordPress site’s security does not hold up, an off-site backup should always be kept. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Automatic backups are the backbone of any WordPress site. Think of backups as a last resort or the last line of defense. When all the security plugins are breached and all the data is compromised, the site can become more robust and better than before without losing essential data.
Multiple site copies should be kept on a physical drive that isn’t connected to the Internet. This ensures that the site’s data is always safe.
WordPress Database Table Prefix
Keeping the default wp-table prefix used by the WordPress database makes the site susceptible to SQL injection attacks. Changing the prefix to something original and distinct makes the site immune to such attacks. Plugins can be used to change the default prefix into an original one.
WP-config.php
Wp-config.php is one of the most vital files in the root directory. It holds data that WordPress uses to communicate with the database. Moving this file to a higher root directory level makes it inaccessible to hackers.
Restrict Directory Listing Using .htaccess
Neglecting to put the code line ‘.htaccess’ in the ‘Option All –Indexes’ file allows users to view the entire directory listing. This simple line of code can protect the site from intruders.
Disabling File Editing
The WordPress File Editor inside the dashboard allows the admin to edit themes and files. If intruders access the Editor, they can change the website’s code and down the entire site. Removing the Editor from the dashboard further fortifies the site.
Conclusion
Absolute WordPress security does not exist, but exercising the above-stated steps brings the site as close to it as possible. Getting SSL certified, creating unique usernames and passwords, and adding a few extra lines of code are some prerequisites that ensure the safety of your WordPress site against malicious external intruders.