According to WordFence, there are approximately 90.000 attacks per minute on WordPress websites. This shows how crucial securing your WordPress website is.
This article will cover the eight easy steps to protect your WordPress site from hacking, phishing attempts, fraud, and other cybersecurity threats. Let’s get started.
1. Choose a Good Hosting Provider
A good hosting provider offers security features, like SSL certificates, Content Delivery Network (CDN), regular back-ups, and firewalls. They also protect your data by actively monitoring your network for suspicious activities.
To find the best web host, research and compare existing hosting providers. Look for a credible yet affordable hosting provider, like Hostinger.
When choosing the web host, make sure to pay attention to the security features and technical support that come with each plan. Security features will help you protect your website, and technical support will come in handy when you need quick issue resolutions.
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2. Add Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a method where two logins are required to access an account. It’s a great extra security layer that further decreases the chances of hacking.
With two-factor authentication, users need to enter their username and password first. Then, they need to enter additional information to log in. The second information can be their smartphone details, fingerprint, or a voice scan.
To enable two-factor authentication on your WordPress site, go to the Settings page on your home page and click Security. Then, click on the Two-Step Authentication and Get Started.
You’ll need to select your country and enter your phone number. Lastly, choose Verify via App. Follow the next steps of scanning the QR code and click Enable.
Save the backup codes as you will need them for future login if your device is missing.
3. Update Your Plugins
Regularly updating your WordPress plugins helps with the site’s security and performance. However, it’s easy to lose track of your WordPress plugins, especially when you scale up the business.
WordPress has a built-in update system on the Admin bar, allowing you to see any program that needs updating, including your plugins. You can also check them manually by going to the Dashboard -> Updates page.
Consider setting up the update schedule and bulk updating to make the process more efficient. Also, update your plugins every few months.
Before updating, keep in mind to check what the update includes. This lets you know what changes to expect and make necessary adjustments.
4. Install a Security Plugin
Installing a security plugin is an easy way to increase your WordPress site security. With it, you can automate the security procedures for your website to save time and effort.
The first step is to choose your security plugin. Some of the best ones to consider are Sucuri, Wordfence Security, All In One WP Security, iThemes Security, and Anti-Malware Security.
Research and learn about each plugin to understand the security measures they cover. Check their features, pricing, and user reviews. Doing so allows you to make informed decisions and improve the site’s security effectively.
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5. Use a Strong Password
Using a strong password helps to protect against identity theft and financial fraud. Strong passwords are no less than 15 characters and include symbols, uppercase, lowercase letters, and numbers.
If you haven’t set up a strong password, go to the Settings page on your WordPress home page and enable strong password enforcement.
Alternatively, use a strong password generator. Your password doesn’t have to be long, but it’s essential to make it unique. The more you mix different characters within your password, the stronger it will be.
6. Limit Login Attempts
This method is about limiting how many times you can log in before it locks you out temporarily.
It also allows you to see specific IP addresses that have tried to log in, so you can block them.
You can limit login attempts with and without a plugin. However, a plugin makes the process easier and more efficient.
Some of the plugins you can choose are Limit Login Attempts Reloaded and WP Limit Login Attempts. Similar to choosing other plugins, consider their features, ease of use, and pricing.
7. Disable File Editing
Disable file editing is disabling access for any user to edit HTML files on your WordPress site, especially the .htaccess and wp-config.php. When all users are allowed to edit these files, it creates a greater security risk.
To disable file editing, go to your cPanel and click File Manager. Next, go to the public_html directory, look for wp-config.php, and right-click to Edit it.
Copy and paste the code ‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’ to the bottom of all other codes and click Save Changes.
After that, go to Appearance -> Editor on your WordPress Admin page to check if the file editing has been disabled.
8. Update Your WordPress Version
The last step to increasing security is updating your current WordPress version.
For this process, you need to prepare for the update, including informing your website audience about potential downtime.
Next comes the updating process. Go to Dashboard -> Updates to check for updates, then click Update Now to start. Be careful of unprecedented errors and always have a backup plan.
In general, try to always ensure that your WordPress website is using the latest version. This is an effective prevention against any future cybersecurity threats.
Conclusion
Securing your WordPress site is crucial to prevent any cybersecurity threats. As mentioned in the article, there are eight simple ways to increase your WordPress site security. Consider implementing all of them for better results.