When you really start to dig into website hacking, you identify two things. First, there are some bad people in the world. Second, website security is often taken for granted. WordPress is the most popular CMS on the web, with over 35 percent of all websites being powered by the software. However, by pure volume, this makes WordPress sites the most likely to see the most attacks.
WordPress is a beloved CMS for multiple reasons, but one of the biggest bullet points being the variety of plugin options. With over 54,000 plugin options for WordPress sites, users are offered a smorgasbord of opportunity when building their website. However, whatever blessing these plugins provide, they also run the risk of being a cracked door for hackers. Many of these plugins go out of date and are no longer a secure integration with websites, causing the majority of hacking cases seen on the WordPress platform.
“Keep WordPress Core and WordPress plugins updated. Don’t use plugins that are no longer updated!”
– David Moore, Venta Marketing Lead Developer
So in an effort to provide a well-rounded security approach, we are going to note a few ways you can safeguard your website in these three areas:
- Login Page
- Plugins and Themes
- Security Database
Keeping Your WordPress Login Page Secure
We aren’t going to count this as a tip, and it should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway — create a strong password, and password1234 doesn’t qualify. Make sure it is at least 10 characters long and incorporates letters, numbers, and special characters.
Tip 1: Use Two-Factor Authentication
- Two-factor authentication is one of the best ways to protect against brute force attacks. By enabling this additional step, an authorization code is sent to your mobile phone or email account, and then it is used in conjunction with your password to gain access to the site.
Tip 2: Customize the Login URL
- The default WordPress login page is viewable to anyone browsing through wp-login.php. By customizing your login URL you are making it harder for hackers to find and access the page. There are several security plugins that will automatically customize your login URLs for you.
Protecting Themes and Plugins
As mentioned, themes and plugins are the biggest risks to your WordPress site. They require regular monitoring and updating. So please, update every theme and plugin in your WordPress dashboard.
Tip 3: Delete Unused Themes and Plugins
- “Use it or lose it!” This saying has to be referring to themes and plugins. If your website is no longer using a previously installed theme or plugin, then you’re probably no longer updating it… Delete them.
Tip 4: Don’t Download Free Premium Plugins
- Sometimes saving money costs you money. Free premium plugins are often littered with malware from hackers. Downloading and installing these types of plugins can result in hackers gaining backend access to your site. So, buy all premium plugins from an official site.
Double Down on the Database
WordPress Core is well kept and constantly monitored. Aside from staying on top of the updates you need to install, there are a couple extra security measures you can include.
Tip 5: Adjust the Database Table Prefix
- The default table prefix in WordPress is “wp_” and is susceptible to SQL injection attacks. Customizing your default database table prefix makes guessing the prefix A LOT harder for hackers. You can make this change by accessing the wp-config.php file.Change – $table-prefix=’wp_’;Now customize to something of your choice – $table-prefix=’wp_TY098%4D’;
Tip 6: Disable the PHP Error Report
While it is helpful to monitor your site’s PHP scripts, it is not a good idea to have existing errors be available for public knowledge. You can disable the feature from your hPanel. Navigate to the “Advanced” tab, select “PHP Configuration”, and move to the “PHP Options” window. Uncheck “display_errors” and press “Save.”
Need Help with Your WordPress Site?
At Venta Marketing, we are helping businesses meet their goals head-on. As leaders in the digital marketing industry, we know the ins-and-outs of what makes a secure and successful WordPress site. Contact us if you are curious about how we can help you grow!