WordPress is one of the most popular platforms to use when creating websites, whether blogging or for business. With its various features and plugins, it’s made best to boost SEO and recommended by many people. Plus, one-third of websites utilize this platform, so you know it’s worth the investment.
We know it’s good, but the question is: Is it safe? WordPress is considered safe and there is proof to vouch for it, but it can only be deemed safe for your website when you take proper action. If you want to begin securing your website on WordPress, here are the top ways to ensure your WordPress site stays safe.
There isn’t anything to worry about WordPress, as their latest version is safe right out of its box. BUT, if you do neglect to update it as needed and don’t take appropriate actions to secure the website, that’s where things go wrong. With that being said, here are some things to help your site stay safe:
- WordPress Updates
Take note that there isn’t such a thing as a 100% surely secure system. Even big platforms like WordPress need to run updates to secure their websites and have them operate you safely. That’s why it’s important to switch on security updates to automatically update on its own.
I also recommend that you switch on automatic updates for other aspects of WordPress as well, which ensures that every plugin and theme you have is compatible.
- Open Source
You should know that WordPress is an open source platform, which has both its risks and benefits. While there is a developer community which helps in keeping things secure and safe, as well as a core team to fix any security flaws, there are a couple of trolls out there that try to hack and break into things. That’s why, again, updates are important to have the team detect any vulnerabilities and to identify what needs to be tweaked in order to prevent these flaws from ruining your security.
- Protecting Yourself First
Even if you don’t have an administrator role on the website you handle, it’s best to protect yourself and your personal data first. To protect your data, make sure that you work on secure networks that are regularly scanned for any hacks or malware. Block any ads to avoid and prevent any attacks, which can hide in images and text. Also, use a VPN if you plan to work with public WiFi hotspots to prevent any hacking or attacks.
- Secure Your Passwords
You have to manage all your passwords, regardless of the role you take for the website. Your password needs to have the uniqueness and be long enough. Yes, length is a priority because, despite all the symbols and numbers, your password’s length can also help prevent people from cracking it within hours. I recommend that you use personal phrases that are easy to remember or to use a password manager to create 13+ character passwords for you.
- Administrators
For those who take on the role as administrator, create another user account for yourself which is limited to the editor role. Use the editor account rather than the admin at first. That way, any wide area attacks are centered on the credentials from the editor account, and you’re able to have the admin role to change all passwords and gain control from the attacks.
- The Security Policy
For those who have experience in data security, perform code audits for both the website’s themes and plugins. This forces hackers to do other tricks just to bypass your code to get to the website. Also, it’s best that you begin installing security plugins compatible with your WordPress website, which updates your site regularly and scans for any flaws or vulnerabilities which can affect your security.
- Change The File Permissions
For those who control the hosting of the website, have an SFTP account from the control panel, or you can use the admin user interface you’re able to access. It configures credentials and opens an SSH, known as the secure shell terminal window. Through this, you’re able to add any additional security measures with the system utilizes and the like.
- Look at Critical Files
There are some files you shouldn’t address, except when using the PHP process as you run WordPress. You’re able to change file permissions then edit its .htaccess file, so you can lock the files down even more. When changing file permissions you can either use the SFTP client or open the terminal shell window, running the CHMOD utility command.
- WordPress Login File
It’s recommended to lock the wp-login.php file by using the rules of .htaccess. Plus, when you limit the access to only your IP addresses or only a small handful for other specific users, it keeps your site secure as you edit or use it. Plus, it isn’t a tedious task to change the settings if you’re in a different location.
- XSS and SQL Injection
One of the scariest attacks your site can encounter is cross-site scripting (XSS) or the SQL injection. Fortunately, you can look into .htaccess query string rewrite rules to stop such attacks. There are also plugins and SEO companies like ADEL SEO which can manage these as well, scanning anything you install to check signs of compromise. And if you can use rewrites, block or redirect these string signatures if you see such attacks in the logs.
Wrapping It Up
By taking proper measures and knowing more about WordPress and their security policy, you’re able to keep your website safe and free from any hacking and the like. Both knowledge and security measures are required and after that, you can enjoy a protected website both you and your viewers will feel safe in.
Hopefully, this article on the top ways to ensure your WordPress site stays safe helped you out. So don’t wait any longer and begin looking into following these steps now. If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences on keeping your WordPress site safe, then comment below. Your thoughts are much appreciated.
