WordPress is a widely used CMS (content management system), powering a significant proportion of all available websites. Unfortunately, it also attracts cyber criminals who take advantage of the platform’s security flaws.
It does not mean that WordPress’s security mechanism is ineffective. Security issues can also occur due to the absence of security measures from the users’ side such as outdated or malware-infected plugins. Therefore, it is crucial to take security measures before your WordPress website becomes a target of a malicious attack.
Although you can maintain network security while transferring files by understanding the TCP vs UDP comparison and selecting the best one for web security, some valuable yet small details might help you secure your website in the long run.
- What Is the Importance of WordPress Website Security?
A hacked WordPress site can significantly harm your company’s income and credibility. Cybercriminals can access passwords and user information and even exploit the site to spread malware or harvest login credentials and banking card information. Therefore, providing a secure platform for your website’s users/visitors is a must.
Also, keeping a high-end website requires maintaining your WordPress website’s safety. Website security has a direct impact on search engine visibility. And the most straightforward strategy to improve your search ranking is to improve your security. Thus, the importance of WordPress website security cannot be denied whatsoever.
- Is WordPress a Safe Platform?
If this question always pops up in your mind, you are not alone. It is one of the most frequently asked questions. And the answer to this question is “Yes, it is safe.” It is safe for the most part as long as you take all necessary security precautions seriously.
- Avoid “Admin” Username
The disclosure of a username may not appear to be particularly harmful. Still, it might set off a chain reaction of security flaws that can lead to account identity theft, hijacking, or financial harm.
If you have named the site’s administrator as admin, it is recommended to change it because cyber criminals are good at exploiting platforms with default setups. They understand that “admin” is frequently used as an administrator account. They may exploit that username in a “brute force” attack. Avoid the “Admin” username and save your WordPress website from such attacks.
- WordPress Must Be Updated Regularly
WordPress publishes software updates regularly to enhance security and speed. These upgrades also help in keeping your site safe from cyber attacks. The most straightforward approach to improving your WordPress website’s security is to update your WordPress version.
To see if you own the most recent WordPress version, go to Dashboard, then click on Updates.
Stay updated on the release dates for new upgrades to guarantee that your site isn’t running an old WordPress version. Moreover, try to update the plugins and themes on your WordPress site. Older plugins and themes might cause conflicts with the newly updated WordPress software, resulting in problems and security vulnerabilities.
- Limit the Number of Log In Times
Cybercriminals may try to guess your admin password via a brute force attack or use leaked credentials to log in to the site. You can reduce their chances of winning by limiting the number of times they can try to log in. As a result, if someone continuously enters the incorrect password, they will be blocked for hours, months, or even years depending on what options you select.
Thus, Limit Login Attempts is a plugin that you may use to secure your website. It works by allowing you to set up a significant number of wrong passwords that may be entered before the IP address of the person who entered the wrong password is locked out.
- All Hotlinking Should Be Disabled
Rather than downloading the file, putting it on your server, and providing a correct citation. Hotlinking or Inline linking is a technique of linking to a file stored on another site. It is most commonly used for images, but it may also be used for videos, music files, flash animations, and other digital content.
If you want to keep your WordPress website secure, hotlinking should be disabled. Otherwise, you’ll notice slower loading times, the possibility of more server expenses, and an increased risk of being hacked.
Although there are several manual methods for avoiding hotlinking, the most straightforward solution is to use a WordPress security plugin. The All-in-One WP Security and Firewall plugin, for example, has built-in solutions for preventing all hotlinking.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication, often known as 2FA, dual-factor authentication, or two-step verification, is a security method in which users validate their identity using two independent authentication factors. This is another smart step to include in your security strategies.
The authentication can be a conventional password followed by a security question, a combination of letters, a hidden code, or the Google Authenticator application delivering a secret code to your phone. The person who has your phone may log in to your website. It is used to safeguard a user’s credentials and the information they have access to.
- Use A Secure WordPress Host
There are a lot of WordPress hosting options available, and it can be hard to know which one is the best for your website. Here are some things to look for in a secure WordPress hosting provider:
A provider that takes security seriously: Security should be a top priority for any WordPress hosting provider. Make sure they have a team dedicated to keeping your site safe from hackers and other threats.
A provider with experience: WordPress is a complex platform, and it takes a lot of experience to host it securely. Look for a provider that has been in the business for a while and has a good reputation.
A provider with good customer support: If you have any questions or problems with your WordPress site, you should be able to get help from your hosting provider quickly. Good customer support is essential.
Conclusion
Malicious actors are continuously coming up with new ways to use a company’s online presence against them, while cyber security specialists are always coming up with new ways to resist them.
This is the never-ending cycle of cybersecurity, and we’re all trapped in its center. Your WordPress site is just like any other website on the internet when it comes to cyber-attacks. However, by following the above-recommended tips and hacks, you can secure your WordPress website from cyber criminals or at least reduce the risk of being attacked.
