In the digital age, securing your WordPress site is more crucial than ever. This guide offers key insights into WordPress security best practices, tailored for agencies, designers, and website builders. Learn how to safeguard your online presence with easy-to-implement strategies, ensuring robust protection without needing extensive coding knowledge.
Why WordPress Security is Important?
WordPress, as the most widely used Content Management System (CMS), dominates the digital landscape. This popularity, however, brings with it a significant drawback: WordPress sites are the target of 90% of all hacking attempts. Each day, over 30,000 websites are compromised, and WordPress sites account for roughly 13,000 of these attacks.
The nature of these attacks is particularly alarming. Automated attacks constitute 97% of all WordPress breaches, with insecure or stolen passwords being the leading cause in 81% of cases. Additionally, vulnerabilities in plugins are a major security concern, contributing to 52% of all WordPress vulnerabilities. A striking example of this was in 2011, when over 18 million users were affected by a breach linked to the TimThumb plugin.
The impact of such cyber threats is not limited to large entities; small businesses are increasingly at risk, with 43% of cyber-attacks targeting them. The consequences are often severe; businesses hit by ransomware attacks, which spiked by 150% in 2020, are 2.5 times more likely to shut down.
Despite these risks, taking proactive security measures can significantly mitigate threats. Regularly updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes can reduce the likelihood of a compromise by 42%. The growing adoption of SSL/TLS encryption, now utilized by over 3.5 million WordPress sites, further underscores the commitment to security. Additionally, the implementation of security plugins and firewall solutions, with millions of downloads and usage, reflects a strong trend towards fortifying WordPress sites against cyber threats.
Keeping WordPress Updated
One of the simplest yet most effective measures in safeguarding a WordPress site is ensuring it is always up to date. This includes the core software, themes, and plugins. Each update often addresses known vulnerabilities, adds new features, and improves performance. Neglecting updates leaves the door open for hackers to exploit outdated code, a risk that is easily avoidable.
The consequences of not updating can be severe. An outdated plugin or theme can serve as an entry point for hackers. Once inside, they can steal sensitive data, inject malicious code, or even take control of the entire website. For businesses, this could mean a loss of customer trust, legal repercussions due to data breaches, and significant financial losses. In fact, many of the widespread WordPress attacks have exploited vulnerabilities that were already fixed in newer versions of the software.
Regular updates also ensure compatibility with new technologies and web standards, which is crucial for maintaining a site’s functionality and user experience. By keeping WordPress, its themes, and plugins updated, agencies and website builders not only secure their sites but also ensure optimal performance and reliability, which are key to maintaining a professional online presence.
Passwords and User Permissions
Effective password management and user permission control are crucial for WordPress security. Implementing strong password policies is the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Passwords should be complex, combining letters, numbers, and symbols, and they should be changed regularly. Additionally, limiting the number of users who have administrative access to your WordPress site can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches. It’s important to assign appropriate roles and capabilities to each user, ensuring they have only the access they need to perform their tasks.
For managing passwords, tools like LastPass or Dashlane can be invaluable. These password managers generate strong, unique passwords for each user and store them securely, minimizing the risk of password-related breaches. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of security, requiring a second form of identification beyond just a password. Implementing 2FA on your WordPress site is a straightforward process with plugins like Google Authenticator or Duo Two-Factor Authentication, significantly enhancing your site’s security profile.
The Role of Web Hosting in WordPress Security
The foundation of any secure WordPress site begins with choosing the right web hosting environment. A reliable host not only ensures your website’s availability but also plays a pivotal role in safeguarding it from potential threats. Secure hosting solutions offer advanced features such as regular backups, malware scanning, and firewalls, which are instrumental in preventing unauthorized access and data breaches.
In this realm, our affiliated hosting providers stand out for their robust security measures. A2 Hosting is renowned for its speed and security, offering free SSL, automatic backups, and a unique hosting environment optimized for WordPress. WP Engine, tailored for WordPress, provides daily malware scans and real-time threat detection. Flywheel, designed with designers and agencies in mind, offers managed security, free SSL, and nightly backups. Lastly, Kinsta’s managed WordPress hosting leverages Google Cloud Platform’s secure network, providing automatic daily backups and top-tier security measures. Each of these providers brings specific strengths to WordPress hosting, ensuring that your site remains secure and performs optimally.
WordPress Security in Easy Steps (No Coding)
Ensuring the security of your WordPress site doesn’t have to be a daunting task, even if you’re not familiar with coding. Here are some straightforward, actionable steps you can take to significantly enhance your site’s security:
a. Install a WordPress Backup Solution
- Importance of Backups: Regular backups are your safety net against data loss due to hacking, server crashes, or accidental deletions. They ensure that your site can be restored to a working state quickly.
- Tools/Plugins Suggestions:
- UpdraftPlus: Widely used for its ease of setup and reliable backup capabilities.
- VaultPress (part of Jetpack): Offers real-time backup and security scanning features.
b. Best WordPress Security Plugins
- Key Features to Look For: When choosing a security plugin, focus on features like malware scanning, firewall protection, and login security.
- Top Recommendations:
- Wordfence Security: Known for its endpoint firewall and malware scanner.
- iThemes Security: Offers 30+ ways to secure your WordPress site.
c. Enable Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Role of WAF: A Web Application Firewall helps to block malicious traffic before it reaches your website, acting as a shield against various online threats.
- How to Implement: Many security plugins, like Sucuri and Cloudflare, offer integrated WAF services which can be easily enabled from within the plugin.
d. Move WordPress Site to SSL/HTTPS
- Benefits of SSL/TLS: Using SSL/TLS encrypts data between the user’s browser and your website, essential for protecting sensitive information.
- Implementation Guide:
- Choose an SSL Certificate: Free options like Let’s Encrypt are available, as well as paid ones from your hosting provider.
- Install and Activate: Use plugins like Really Simple SSL to automate the process of implementing HTTPS on your site.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve the security of your WordPress site with minimal technical expertise. Remember, regular attention to these aspects is key to maintaining a secure online presence.
WordPress Security for DIY Users
WordPress is a user-friendly platform, but securing it doesn’t require expert coding skills. Here are some DIY security tips to enhance the protection of your WordPress site:
- Change the Default “admin” Username
- Hackers often target the default ‘admin’ username. Create a new user with administrator privileges, then delete the old ‘admin’ account. Ensure your new username is unique and not easily guessable.
- Disable File Editing
- WordPress allows administrators to edit PHP files directly from the dashboard. Disabling this feature increases security. Add
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);to your wp-config.php file.
- WordPress allows administrators to edit PHP files directly from the dashboard. Disabling this feature increases security. Add
- Disable PHP File Execution in Certain Directories
- Preventing PHP execution in directories like
/wp-content/uploads/can block many malicious scripts. You can do this by uploading a.htaccessfile with specific code to those directories.
- Preventing PHP execution in directories like
- Limit Login Attempts
- Limit the number of login attempts to prevent brute force attacks. Plugins like ‘Login LockDown’ or ‘Jetpack’s Protect module’ can help set up these limits.
- Add Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- 2FA adds an extra layer of security. Users must provide two different authentication factors to log in. Plugins like ‘Google Authenticator’ or ‘Duo Two-Factor Authentication’ can be used to implement this.
- Change WordPress Database Prefix
- By default, WordPress uses ‘wp_’ as the prefix for all tables in its database. Changing it to something unique can help prevent SQL injection attacks. This can be set during installation or changed later with specific plugins or manually.
- Password Protect WP-Admin and Login
- Adding an additional password layer to your wp-admin directory and login page can significantly increase security. This can be done through your hosting provider’s control panel or by editing the
.htaccessfile.
- Adding an additional password layer to your wp-admin directory and login page can significantly increase security. This can be done through your hosting provider’s control panel or by editing the
- Disable Directory Indexing and Browsing
- Directory indexing allows anyone to view the contents of a directory. To disable this, add
Options -Indexesto your.htaccessfile.
- Directory indexing allows anyone to view the contents of a directory. To disable this, add
- Disable XML-RPC in WordPress
- XML-RPC facilitates connection to your site from web and mobile apps but can be abused for brute force attacks. Disable it unless you specifically need it, by adding code to your
.htaccessfile.
- XML-RPC facilitates connection to your site from web and mobile apps but can be abused for brute force attacks. Disable it unless you specifically need it, by adding code to your
- Automatically Log Out Idle Users
- Idle users pose a security risk, especially on shared computers. Plugins like ‘Inactive Logout’ can automatically log out users after a period of inactivity.
- Add Security Questions to WordPress Login
- Add an extra layer of security to your login process by implementing security questions. Plugins like ‘WP Security Questions’ allow you to easily set this up.
Remember, while implementing these tips can significantly bolster your WordPress site’s security, staying vigilant and keeping your site updated are equally important in maintaining a secure online presence.
Scanning WordPress for Malware and Vulnerabilities
Ensuring the security of your WordPress site is an ongoing process. Regularly scanning for malware and vulnerabilities is crucial to detect and address potential threats before they escalate.
Why Regular Scans are Important:
- Early Detection: Regular scans help in early detection of malware, unauthorized access, or any security vulnerabilities.
- Maintaining Website Integrity: Keeping your site clean ensures the safety of your users and maintains your reputation.
- Compliance and Trust: Regular security checks are often required for compliance with data protection regulations and build trust among your users.
Tools and Plugins for Scanning:
- Wordfence: Offers a comprehensive security scanner that checks for malware, file changes, SEO spam, and more.
- Sucuri Security: Known for its powerful scanning and monitoring capabilities, it helps in identifying security issues.
- iThemes Security: Provides 30+ ways to secure and protect your WordPress site, including scheduled malware scanning.
While these tools provide a good starting point for scanning your WordPress site, they are not foolproof. Continuous monitoring and professional assessments are recommended for complete security assurance.
Fixing a Hacked WordPress Site
Discovering that your WordPress site has been hacked can be alarming. Here are the initial steps to take:
- Stay Calm and Assess the Situation: Determine what has been affected – is it the entire site, specific pages, or just the backend?
- Contact Your Hosting Provider: Many providers offer assistance in dealing with hacked sites. They might have backups or additional resources.
- Restore from a Clean Backup: If you have a recent, unaffected backup of your site, restoring it can be the quickest way to recover.
- Scan for Malware and Clean Your Site: Use security plugins to scan and remove any malicious code. This might involve checking and cleaning files and databases.
- Change All Passwords: Change all passwords associated with your site, including WordPress admin, FTP, and database passwords.
- Update and Patch: Ensure all your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated to their latest versions.
- Check User Permissions: Ensure no unauthorized user accounts have been created.
- Implement Security Enhancements: Based on the nature of the hack, strengthen your site’s security (like changing database prefixes, implementing 2FA).
Remember, dealing with a hacked site can be complex and time-consuming. If you’re unsure or need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us for a comprehensive malware scan and cleanup. Our team is experienced in dealing with such situations and can help restore your site’s integrity and security.