This article provides a breakdown and explanation of several WordPress Security Best Practices.

WordPress Security Best Practices Explained

WordPress Security Best Practices are a de facto set of near-universally agreed-upon practices that help protect WordPress websites against security vulnerabilities.

READ ALSO: Best WordPress Backup Plan

Some Security Best Practices are derived directly from the official WordPress documentation. While some others originate from the WordPress community of users, they are included because of their proven effectiveness at reducing vulnerabilities or hardening of WordPress websites.

Use Strong Passwords

One of the best WordPress security practices is to always use a strong password. This is because the easiest way for hackers to gain access to your account is to guess your username and password. A strong password has both alphanumeric and special characters, and you should change it often. Here are some tips on how to create an effective password. Also, keep in mind that your WordPress site should be backed up regularly. It’s recommended to use a captcha to make the login process more difficult for hackers.

Use 2-Factor Authentication

Another WordPress security best practice is to change your account password regularly. Moreover, it’s important to change all passwords on your WordPress site. Besides, you can also use two-factor authentication to protect your website from hackers. You can either use your phone’s camera or use a mobile app to scan your network for suspicious activity. Then, you can enter the password and lock the site. This way, you’ll be able to log in and out without having to worry about unauthorized access.

Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

For example, every two years, WordPress will patch security vulnerabilities. PHP 7.1 is not supported anymore, so users are exposed to unpatched vulnerabilities. This is the most common vulnerability found in WordPress sites. Using this technique is a good way to secure your website. However, it’s also a good idea to change your site password often. It’s recommended that you use different passwords for different accounts.

After that, make sure you update your plugins and themes regularly. If you’re unsure of which ones are still working, try installing them from a reliable source. After that, you’ll know whether they’re safe to install. When using a plugin, you need to make sure it is updated to the latest version.

Second, use a strong password. Changing the password is a good idea as it helps protect your site from attacks. Moreover, you should also consider using a password manager. You can also use two-factor authentication to secure your account and prevent unauthorized users from accessing your website. Third, protect the wp-admin directory with a separate password. By doing so, you won’t be able to access your website’s login page if you don’t know the admin password.

Intrusion Protection & Intrusion Detection

It’s important to set up firewalls on the server that you use for your WordPress site. You can also use intrusion detection systems to protect your WordPress files. It’s also a good idea to install a rogue plugin if you’re not sure who it’s coming from. Secondly, make sure that the software you install for your WordPress site is compatible with the latest database management systems.

Avoid Pirated and Nulled Plugins/Themes

As pointed out by the first-hand experience of WordPress developer, you should always avoid installing nulled themes and plugins. In fact, I recommend installing as few plugins and themes as possible. Furthermore, ensure each theme or plugin is from a trusted source and is updated regularly.

As Tareq mentions in the linked article, vulnerabilities often derive either intentionally through nulled software or through plugins and themes which are not regularly updated.

Why Secure WordPress Website Is Important

WordPress website security is the one of the greatest threats facing a significant percentage of all businesses in 2022.

According to W3Techs:

WordPress is used by 64.2% of all the websites whose content management system we know. This is 43.0% of all websites.

Any business has a vested interest in their online storefront, their 24/7 billboard. Obviously, businesses that rely on their website for accepting payments or making service delivery have the most to lose from security breaches.

Conclusion

As far as updating your WordPress site is concerned, it’s critical to follow security best practices. A few simple steps can help you prevent a potential hacker from gaining access to your site. The most important of these is to change the default login credentials. Additionally, you should always ensure that the hosting provider you choose supports the latest versions of WordPress. In addition to the core code, you should also ensure that the server you use has secure protocols.

Changing your WordPress site’s passwords should be a priority. If you have multiple users, it’s essential to set passwords for all of them. You should also make sure that you force users to log out if they’re logged in for longer than they should. The more security measures you implement, the more likely your site will be. But even though two-factor authentication doesn’t guarantee you against all of these threats, it can be a great way to prevent hacker attacks.

Changing the passwords of all accounts is another vital WordPress security best practice. This can be done easily by using password managers or changing user passwords on your WordPress site. These tools enable you to manage user permissions and keep your website safe from unauthorized access. By following these tips, you will minimize your website’s vulnerability and avoid hackers from taking advantage of it. This will also keep your website running smoothly. This is an important WordPress security best practice.