There are a few ways to make your WordPress site more secure. Some of them are fairly easy to do and others require some time like switching to HTTPS and implementing two-factor authentication.
One of the most important things you can do to improve your website’s security is to use strong passwords. They don’t have to be long, but they should include letters, numbers, and special characters.
1. Upgrade to the latest version of PHP
If you’re looking for a way to make your wordpress site more secure, you should consider upgrading to the latest version of PHP. The latest versions of PHP offer faster page load times, improved security, and more features than older versions.
PHP is one of the most popular scripting languages in use today, and it’s used on over 70% of websites that use server-side programming. Upgrading to the latest version will give you immediate performance gains that will help retain visitors (and keep them coming back).
The newest versions of PHP also provide improved support, with regular bug fixes and security patches. Upgrading to the latest version will help you stay ahead of hackers and protect your website’s reputation.
However, it’s important to note that the latest versions of PHP will still have some deprecated features, which may affect your site’s functionality. This is why it’s important to check your site’s error logs after a PHP upgrade to ensure all functions are working properly.
During this process, it’s a good idea to use a staging server to test your changes. This will allow you to see any issues before they occur on your live site, and ensure that everything is running as expected.
Once you’re sure that the changes are working, it’s time to switch your site to the new version of PHP. You can do this from the cPanel or custom control panel that your host provides.
After the change, you can then use a plugin to monitor your site’s error logs for any incompatibilities with the updated PHP version. If you find any issues, you can resolve them by troubleshooting your theme files and plugins.
2. Change your login URL
Changing your login URL is an important security measure for any WordPress website. Not only does it make it harder for hackers to access your site, but it also helps protect against brute force attacks.
The default login URL on WordPress is wp-admin, which makes it easy for hackers to access your site and steal data. Luckily, it’s possible to change your WordPress login URL using some special plugins that will block hackers from getting in.
One of the best ways to change your WordPress login URL is by using a plugin like WPS Hide Login. This popular plugin has over 700,000 installs and can help you to hide your login page so that unauthorized users cannot guess your password.
To change your login URL, simply visit your WordPress admin panel and click on the General settings tab. Once you’re there, click on the Login Slug field and type your new URL.
Alternatively, you can choose to save your new login URL for future use. There are a few different ways to do this, including bookmarking it in your browser or adding it to your navigation menu.
Once you’ve changed your login URL, be sure to record it somewhere secure, such as a file on your computer or an encrypted note. This way, you won’t forget it and need to manually type it in each time you want to log in.
Finally, be sure to update your bookmarks and any email accounts that use the login URL. This will keep everyone on your team from accidentally accessing the old URL and resetting their passwords.
In addition to changing your login URL, you should also regularly change your WordPress password. Ideally, you should change your passwords every couple of weeks. This way, you can prevent hackers from getting in through phishing or other vulnerabilities. You should also use a strong password and avoid using the same password for multiple websites.
3. Change your passwords regularly
One of the most important ways to make your WordPress site more secure is by changing your passwords regularly. Passwords are the backbone of any online security system, so it’s important to choose strong, unique passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess.
You’ll need to choose a word or phrase that no one knows, and use a combination of letters and numbers for extra protection. Try to make your passwords case-sensitive as well, since those that include both upper and lowercase letters are harder to guess than those with only uppercase.
In addition to choosing a strong password, you should also limit the number of login attempts to your WordPress admin area. This is a great way to protect your website from brute-force hacking, which occurs when attackers use automated software to enter many username-password combinations to eventually guess the right password.
Moreover, you should keep a log of all changes and changes to files made by users on your website. This will help you monitor suspicious activity and prevent attacks before they happen.
Another way to make your WordPress site more secure is by installing a security plugin that automatically resets all user passwords whenever they change them. This will prevent any unauthorized users from accessing your website and make it much harder for hackers to get in.
You should also change your passwords periodically if you think they may have been compromised by hackers. However, you should not change them too frequently, as this can be counterproductive and might even make it easier for hackers to get into your account. This is especially true if you’re using the same password on several accounts and you don’t use strong, unique passwords for each of them.
4. Activate two-factor authentication
Using two-factor authentication is a great way to make your website more secure. It works by requiring users to enter a password and a security code before granting access. This helps to prevent attackers from gaining access to your site and stealing information from it.
You can activate 2FA by installing a plugin or manually typing in the code in your admin panel. It will ask you for your user ID and password, then send a text message or call you with a six-digit code.
The code will be sent to the phone number you entered during registration, and if you don’t respond to it within 30 seconds, you won’t be able to access your account. This method of protection is great for sites with high traffic and makes it much harder for hackers to gain access.
In addition to preventing a hacker from gaining access, two-factor authentication also protects your data from malware and phishing attempts. These types of attacks often target your customers and request their personal information or download malicious software.
Aside from these threats, WordPress websites can be vulnerable to other attacks, like a denial-of-service attack. These attacks overload a server with traffic, which can cause it to crash.
One of the best ways to protect your WordPress website from this type of attack is by setting file permissions for your wp-admin folder and wp-config file. This will ensure that only the owner can read or write those files.
Another way to protect your website is by changing the URL of your login page. This will hide the entryway to your website, making it more difficult for a hacker to find.
5. Install a security plugin
One of the most effective ways to make your WordPress site more secure is to install a security plugin. These plugins can be incredibly helpful in detecting malware, preventing hackers from entering your site, and even identifying and removing malicious files. They can also help you monitor your website for any suspicious activity and restore your site in the event of an attack.
There are a lot of options out there for security plugins, so it’s important to find the best one for your needs. For example, if you have a large blog that stores sensitive user information, you may need a more extensive plugin that includes features like two-factor authentication.
Another important feature of a good security plugin is firewalls, which can block incoming traffic and attacks. Some of these plugins update their rules in real time to prevent new types of attacks.
The best way to find the right firewall for your WordPress site is to read reviews and compare plugins. Look for a plugin that has a strong reputation and offers advanced protection against attacks.
Besides firewalls, the best WordPress security plugins also include features like malware cleaning and scanning. Malware scanning is essential because it helps you identify potential problems on your site before they spread. A good firewall will keep out most threats, making it easier to remove infections once they do occur.
These plugins can also help you protect your database and login credentials. Some of them even help you prevent hackers from accessing your account after a failed login attempt.
You can also add a second layer of login security to your WordPress site by installing a plugin that hides your login URL. This will stop attackers from gaining access to your login page, which is an easy way to make your WordPress site more secure.
