The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide – Step by Step

As the world shifts towards an era of digitalisation it is very crucial for every organisation and individuals to have an online presence . One of the well-known website builders which grants the ability of creating and editing web sites to the ordinary user is WordPress. Catering to millions of users, this CMS provides features to optimize the overall site experiences on which more than 40 percent of all websites on the Internet are based. 

But every popular site has its problems – in recent years, WordPress security issues have become big problems which threaten individual and corporate data, as well as cost a lot of money. However, a research conducted this year on hacked sites by Sucuri, a leading website security solutions firm confirmed that WordPress was the most hacked CMS in the year 2020 with 94% being WordPress sites out of a sample of 40,000 sites.

The impact from a successful attack is very severe. It may involve stolen customer’s data or even an entire site hijack. It is not only the little blogs, personal sites, but also websites belonging to corporations or government agencies that use WordPress platforms. So to the questions: how do you protect your website from the possible threat? Fear not! In this comprehensive post, I will be guiding you through a series of steps that will help you secure WordPress, your data and prevent any intrusion into your website. By adhering to these measures highlighted above, WordPress users will greatly lower their chances of joining the ranks of the preliminary WordPress hack casualties.

Keep Your WordPress Core, Plugins, and Themes Updated

One of the simplest ways to boost your WordPress site’s security is by keeping its main software, plugins, and themes up-to-date. Each new version released typically includes patches for known vulnerabilities, making it crucial to install updates promptly. Here’s how you can stay current with the latest releases:

• Check for Updates Regularly: Log in to your WordPress dashboard frequently (at least once a week) and look for update notifications in the top bar. You’ll also find a notification on the ‘Updates’ page within the dashboard.

• Backup Before Updating: Always create a backup of your site before applying any updates. This will help you to minimize the costs that are incurred in case something goes wrong during the updating process. As mentioned, there is an abundance of free and paid backup tools – plugins and services such as UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration.

• Test Updates on a Staging Site: As a general rule, where appropriate, try out these changes on a staging environment first before applying them on your live website. This lets the user debug any compatibility without interfering with the live website or the public’s view. Almost every hosting provider includes the option of creating a staging environment with just one click, but if the provider does not include the option, then you might need to follow the steps outlined in the WP Staging plugin.

• Install Only Trustworthy Plugins and Themes: As there are so many plugins and themes available there, one can easily design his/her website in any way they desire. So when choosing which to install one needs to be vigilant. Select your developers based comments from their previous clients. Avoid using cracked software and applications.

• Delete Unused Plugins and Themes: Remove any unused or deactivated plugins and themes from your WordPress installation. These components can accumulate vulnerabilities over time, increasing the risk of a successful attack. Plus, deleting unnecessary files helps optimize your site’s performance.

• Set Up Automatic Background Updates: To save time and minimize manual intervention, enable automatic background updates for minor core releases, plugins, and themes via your wp-config.php file or through a plugin like Easy Update Manager. Note that major updates should still be handled manually due to their potentially greater impact on your site’s functionality.

• Monitor for Vulnerabilities: Stay informed about known vulnerabilities in the WordPress core, plugins, and themes you use. Subscribe to security newsletters, follow relevant blogs, and utilize tools like WPScan Vulnerability Database to receive timely alerts about potential risks.

Secure Login Credentials and Access Points

A simple password or username that anybody can figure out can make your WordPress site an easy target for hackers. Follow these guidelines to strengthen your login credentials and control access points:

• Use Strong Passwords: Create complicated passwords such that they include both big and small letters, numbers, and even other symbols. Give a try to password manager applications like LastPass or Dashlane, to come up with a strong password.

• Enforce Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): You must secure WordPress platforms using two-factor authentication to ensure the user’s data remains safe. Some of the most common and used 2FA options include; E-mail confirmation, Text confirmation codes, Google Authenticator, and Biometrical factors like fingerprints among others. 

• Limit Login Attempts: Reduce the number of consecutive login attempts within a given period. This is by setting the number of attempts that may be made in the process of hacking into an account. To set this restriction into practice you can use plugins such as Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or Jetpack’s Protect feature.

• Change Default Username: Do not use the default “admin” username for your primary administrator account, as it makes guessing half of the login credentials much easier. Instead, choose a unique and obscure username.
• Rename the admin URL: Change the standard URL address named “/wp-login. php” associated with your WordPress site login. Making adjustments to the entry point decreases the likelihood of one being hit by an automated bots that seek to break into one’s account password. By changing the login URL it becomes hard for the hacker to guess it, one can use plugins like WPS Hide Login or iTheme Security to change the URL of the login page.

• Implement Least Privilege Principle: Two common and recommended best practices for access controls are: One should provide users with minimal access privileges according to their position. For instance, if we grant only contributor level access then, they should not be allowed to change the settings of the site and if the editor level access is provided then, they should not have the authority of accessing the site’s settings. Consider the user roles and security levels and review them periodically to make sure to provide appropriate permissions.

• Disable XML-RPC: XML-RPC enables remote connections to perform actions like publishing posts or updating comments. Disabling this feature can thwart brute force attacks leveraging its capabilities. Install plugins like Disable XML-RPC or Jason’s Golden Retriever to disable XML-RPC functionality.

• Protect .htaccess and wp-config.php Files: Deny direct access to these vital configuration files by placing them outside of the publicly accessible web root directory or adding rules to your .htaccess file. An example rule for .htaccess would be: `<FilesMatch “(^|\/)(\..*\.)(jpg|jpeg|png|gif)$”>`

`Order deny,allow`

`Deny from all`

`Allow from all`

`</FilesMatch>`

Harden Your Server and WordPress Installation

Securing your server and fine-tuning your WordPress installation adds an additional layer of defense against potential threats. Taking these precautions minimizes opportunities for attackers to exploit weaknesses in your site’s infrastructure. Below are recommended measures to strengthen the foundation of your WordPress site:

• Update PHP Version: Make sure your server is running a stable current version of PHP. The latest versions in most cases are more secure and contain patches for some of the known holes in the previous versions. During the installation, you need to choose or find out from your Host provider how to change your current PHP Version.
• Hide WordPress Version Number: Limit the number presented in Meta Tags or in RSS feeds to be less highlighting so that the guest may not pick some of the unnecessary information from your website. 

• Block Hotlinking: Don’t be a guest to their photos or videos. Overcome their columns or side attractions, do not allow them to use the boot up of your website to display images or media.

• Implement SSL Certificate: Implement the use of an SSL certificate that ensures the connection to the site is secure, and any input and output operations you perform in the browser are encoded.  

Conclusion 

WordPress security is a dynamic field requiring constant vigilance and adaptation to mitigate evolving threats. Prioritize consistent software updates, solid login protocols, and hardened server configurations. Moreover, engage in routine monitoring and seek expert assistance when facing complex challenges. Among the wealth of recommendations presented in this guide, consider enabling a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and configuring strong security questions for your WordPress login screen as high-impact steps to improve your site’s defenses.

Ultimately, sustaining a secure WordPress environment demands commitment, awareness, and adaptability. Invest time and effort into understanding and implementing proven security techniques, empowering yourself to shield your digital assets against persistent cybercriminals. Your dedication to security now translates to lasting peace of mind and enduring online prosperity.