WordPress security is a topic of huge importance for every website owner. Google blacklists around 10,000+ websites every day for malware and around 50,000 for phishing every week.
If you are serious about your website, then you need to pay attention to the WordPress security best practices. While WordPress core software is very secure, and it’s audited regularly by hundreds of developers, there is a lot that can be done to keep your site secure.
Why Website Security is Important?
A hacked WordPress site can cause serious damage to your business revenue and reputation. Hackers can steal user information, passwords, install malicious software, and can even distribute malware to your users.
Worst, you may find yourself paying ransomware to hackers just to regain access to your website.
Similar to how it’s the business owners responsibility to protect their physical store building, as an online business owner it is your responsibility to protect your business website.
Keeping WordPress Updated
WordPress is an open source software which is regularly maintained and updated. You need to manually initiate the update, for major releases.
WordPress also comes with thousands of plugins and themes that you can install on your website. These plugins and themes are maintained by third-party developers which regularly release updates as well. What’s more, not all of them are absolutely compatible with your website construct. Some can “pose” as secure but really are not.
These WordPress updates are crucial for the security and stability of your WordPress site. You need to make sure that your WordPress core, plugins, and theme are up to date.
Strong Passwords and User Permissions
The most common WordPress hacking attempts use stolen passwords. You can make that difficult by using stronger passwords that are unique for your website. Many beginners don’t like using strong passwords because they’re hard to remember. The good thing is that you don’t need to remember passwords anymore. You can use a password manager.
Move Your WordPress Site to SSL/HTTPS
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol which encrypts data transfer between your website and users browser. This encryption makes it harder for someone to sniff around and steal information. Read What is an SSL certificate and do I need one?
WordPress Security for DIY Users
If you do everything that we have mentioned thus far, then you’re in a pretty good shape.
But as always, there’s more that you can do to harden your WordPress security.
Some of these steps may require coding knowledge; reach out to your website developers.
Limit Login Attempts
By default, WordPress allows users to try to login as many time as they want. This leaves your WordPress site vulnerable to brute force attacks. Hackers try to crack passwords by trying to login with different combinations.
This can be easily fixed by limiting the failed login attempts a user can make. This is not installed in your wordpress website by default; reach out to request this if you have concerns about your website security. In some instances, your website care team may also alert you that this is required.
Add Security Questions to WordPress Login Screen
Adding a security question to your WordPress login screen makes it even harder for someone to get unauthorized access.
Use ReCaptcha
If you want the added security without adding another plugin to your website, then a reCaptcha is the best way to go! If any of these sound like something you already have, or a new solution you’d like to implement, then visit the Add to My Website through your Client Area to purchase a Security Integration.
Our own website uses each of the above, including reCaptcha. Sometimes it means even WE are asked to log in 2X. This can become annoying sometimes, but for the information we manage on our website, it is a very welcome annoyance.
