How to Improve WordPress Security Basics

Securing your WordPress site is essential to prevent unauthorized access, malware, and data loss. This guide covers basic security practices to help protect your site. For complete security, our WordPress Management service handles all of these tasks for you—keeping your site secure, updated, and trouble-free with proactive monitoring, Wordfence Premium, and server-based WAF, as well as UpdraftPlus Premium with offsite backup storage.

Step 1: Use Strong Passwords and Unique Usernames

A strong password and unique usernames are your first line of defense against brute force attacks.

1. Choose a Strong Password

   • Use a password that includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easy-to-guess words like “admin123” or “password.”

2. Avoid “Admin” as Username

   • When setting up your site, use a unique username instead of “admin” to make it harder for attackers to guess.

3. Consider a Password Manager

   • Tools like LastPass or 1Password securely store complex passwords for you, making it easy to manage strong, unique passwords.

Step 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a unique code in addition to your password.

1. Install a 2FA Plugin

   • Go to Plugins > Add New and search for Two Factor Authentication or Google Authenticator.
   • Install and activate the plugin, then follow the instructions to set up 2FA.

2. Configure 2FA for Login

   • Configure the plugin to require 2FA for all admin and editor accounts, ensuring that only verified users can access the dashboard.

Step 3: Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated

Regular updates help patch vulnerabilities and prevent security exploits.

1. Enable Automatic Updates

   • Go to Dashboard > Updates and enable automatic updates for the WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
   • In the Shared Hosting Control Panel, you can also enable auto-updates under Apps > Plugins or Themes.

2. Check for Compatibility

   • Always check plugin and theme compatibility before updating. Incompatibility can sometimes cause errors or affect site performance.

Note: Our WordPress Management service automatically handles all updates, compatibility checks, and testing to ensure your site remains stable and secure.

Step 4: Use Security Plugins

A WordPress security plugin can provide monitoring, firewall protection, and malware scanning.

1. Install Wordfence

   • Go to Plugins > Add New and search for Wordfence Security.
   • Wordfence offers both free and premium versions, with features like firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security. Our WordPress Management service includes Wordfence Premium, valued at $120, giving you access to real-time threat defense and advanced security features.

2. Configure Security Settings

   • Once activated, go to Wordfence > Dashboard and enable settings for firewall, malware scanning, and login security.

WordPress Management: With our service, Wordfence Premium and server-based WAF are managed for you to maintain optimal protection without the hassle.

Step 5: Limit Login Attempts

Limiting login attempts can prevent attackers from brute-forcing your login credentials.

1. Install a Login Limit Plugin
   • Go to Plugins > Add New and search for Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or WP Limit Login Attempts.
   • Install and activate the plugin, then configure the number of allowed attempts and lockout duration in the plugin settings.

Tip: Many security plugins, including Wordfence, also include options to limit login attempts.

Step 6: Secure Your wp-config.php and .htaccess Files

These files contain sensitive information and settings, so securing them is essential.

1. Restrict wp-config.php Access

   • In File Manager, locate wp-config.php in the root directory.

   • Add the following code to your .htaccess file to prevent unauthorized access:

     apache

     Copy code

     <Files wp-config.php> order allow,deny deny from all </Files>

2. Protect .htaccess File

   • Similarly, add this code to .htaccess to prevent access:

     apache

     Copy code

     <Files .htaccess> order allow,deny deny from all </Files>

Step 7: Regularly Back Up Your Site

Backups are crucial for restoring your site if it’s compromised or data is lost.

1. Use a Backup Plugin

   • Plugins like UpdraftPlus provide automatic backups of your WordPress site. Our WordPress Management service includes UpdraftPlus Premium with offsite backup storage for enhanced backup and restore options.

2. Create a Backup Schedule

   • Set a backup schedule that suits your site’s frequency of changes. Daily or weekly backups are recommended for most sites.

Additional Security Tips

• Disable File Editing: Add define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); to wp-config.php to prevent users from editing theme and plugin files directly in the WordPress Dashboard.
• Limit Admin Access: Only assign admin privileges to trusted users and remove unused accounts.

By following these security basics, you can protect your WordPress site from common threats. For complete, worry-free protection, our WordPress Management service handles all security, updates, backups (with offsite storage), and monitoring for you. For more information or assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.