10 tips to secure a WordPress website
A secure WordPress website can bring a wide range of benefits to users and owner alike and hence, its security must be enhanced at any cost. With security, the level of trust goes up which, in turn, drives more traffic to the website. And once the traffic keeps pouring in, the website always has the opportunity to convert the prospects into sales. For being an open source, the source code is easy available to one and all and hence, there is always dangers of hacking and cracking from unscrupulous lads. So steps must always be taken to secure the WordPress website. In this write up, we discuss 10 tips to secure a WordPress website, like:
Update to the latest version of WordPress
For security purpose, switching to the latest available version is the best option. The same is true for WordPress as well, and users and webmasters are suggested to use the latest version of WordPress to reduce the dangers of hacking. Being a more secure choice, the latest version of WordPress would surely leave hackers fuming for enhanced protections.
Use the latest version of themes and plugins
Using the latest versions of software minimizes the risk of hacking and therefore, users must instantly switch to most-up-to-date version of the software. For WordPress themes and plugins, only the newest available versions are suggested to discourage hackers from sneaking into the website.
Get away with ‘admin’ username
The first step towards securing a WordPress website is to change the admin username to offer some resistance to hackers out there. With the options of doing so, this step can easily stop attempts of hackers who try to sneak into the site by using the admin username for most of the time. Many webmasters and users often persist with the admin username and hackers thus have to hack only the password. Once the username is deliberately changed, it would be extremely tough on the parts of hackers to get the best of both, username and password.
Install Login Lock-Down Plugin
It’s definitely an arduous task to discourage hackers from hacking the website, though attempts can be made to counter such potent attempts. There is very useful source, Login LockDown Plugin, which would thwart attempts of hacking. This plugin not only tracks down the IP address and time-frame of the hacking attempt, but also disables the further attempts by turning down the requests. So if a hacker does not get success in few attempts, his further attempts from the same IP could easily be barred for a while.
Wp-config.php file shifting
The shifting of wp-config.php file is another useful way of adding to the security of a WordPress website. This important file not only has information related to database connection, but also has some vital info that must be secured. Moving this file from the standard root folder destination is suggested. The file has to be moved up the root directory so that no authorized person can get access to the file. The shifting ensures that hackers have to toil a bit harder that they would normally anticipate while sneaking into the website.
Alteration in database table prefixes
WordPress is open source software and hackers can easily access the code to meet many secrets targets. Many of its elements come in the standard format that is not changed by the majority of users and webmasters. Table prefix is another aspect that is often left in the standard format to design the website. It’s suggested to change the table prefix at the time of installation itself to avoid any further prospect of hacking.
Not use the default secret keys
While installing WordPress, there are many files and elements that are kept at the default mode. The same happens with the secret keys which are kept in the standard format for desiring the website. It’s strongly suggested to change these secret keys so that the website remains secure. With these secret keys, the password becomes even stronger to be not easily hacked by anyone.
Don’t use weak password
Using weak password for WordPress installation is the task many prefer to do, which is not a good step. If an easy password is set, it takes minutes for hackers to break them and hack the site completely. A strong password would keep foiling the attempts of hacking and thus, thus step must be taken. A strong password must have a weird alpha-numeric combination to puzzle the perpetrators. If nothing comes to mind, Password Generator can be used for the task.
Install Secure WordPress plugin
A WordPress website is bound to have more than few vulnerable places and delicate information that can be exploited for hacking purposes. From installation to a range of vital information, the site easily displays such information that can easily be capitalized on for dubious gains. When the Secure WordPress Plugin is installed, the website’s security is enhanced by erasing vital information on all aspects.
Data backup
In spite of taking steps, hackers sometimes able to get into the site and thus, all the useful data is either used wrongly or destroyed completely. Data back up on a regular occasion is suggested to limit the hacking dangers to an extent. Even if the site has been hacked, the backed-up date would help in the re-start of a new website after a while. So data backup from time to time is a very vital step for security of a WordPress website.
Conclusion
A WordPress website must be secure enough to win over the confidence of visitors and owner alike. A secure website often performs better and brings good results for a business. This article lists 10 tips to secure a WordPress website; users are invited to offer more suggestions to add value to the website.
