How to Secure a WordPress Site?

If you're considering securing your WordPress site, it's the right step to take. 

You must find ways to protect your WordPress site and maintain security at the centre stage.

In this article, we'll talk about why security is essential and what you need to do to safeguard your WordPress Website.

Why is WordPress Security Crucial?

Hackers and unscrupulous entities are trying to access websites and their sensitive information. We have also seen an incessant growth in cyber security attacks.

It is an alarming issue impacting businesses of all sizes. Various ransomware attacks are focused on giant corporations for bigger payoffs. However, hackers attack small and medium-sized enterprises due to a scarcity of resources and security expertise.

Approximately 43% of online attacks target small businesses, and only 14% of those businesses are prepared to protect themselves. 

WordPress Security Hacks

Let's explore the proven WordPress Security tips to safeguard it.

• Use Strong Passwords:

One of the foremost steps to take while protecting your site is to create strong passwords for your logins.

It can be tempting to use a familiar or easy-to-remember password. But if you do so, you and your site will be at high risk. Enhancing your password strength and security reduces the chances of being hacked. The more powerful your password, the less likely you are to be the prey of a cyberattack.

• Implement SSL Certificates

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificates are cutting-edge technology that forms a secure connection between a web server (host) and a web browser (client). This connection keeps your data's privacy intact.

SSL certificates follow industry standards and are used by many websites to safeguard online customer transactions.  Getting one must be the first step for ensuring your website's security. 

• Install a Security Plugin

WordPress plugins are an incredible way to quickly incorporate valuable features into your site, and various robust security plugins are available.

A security plugin can add additional layers of protection to your site without much effort.

Check out the list of WordPress Security plugins.

1. Wordfence Security-Firewall & Malware Scan
2. All-in-One WP Security & Firewall
3. Solid Security
4. Malcare WordPress Security

• Ensure to Keep Your WordPress Core Files Up-to-date

There were 1.09 billion websites on the Internet in total by 2024, with more than 810 million of those sites using WordPress.

Due to the incredible popularity of WordPress, hackers, malware attacks, and data thieves target WordPress.

Upgrading your WordPress installation at all times is vital to maintaining its security and stability.

If you want to keep your WordPress website up to date, you must use a version that is prone to vulnerabilities.

• Avoid using an outdated version of WordPress. Use auto updates and leave everything.

If you're looking for a more effective way to manage updates, consider using a Managed WordPress solution with auto updates incorporated into it.

• Focus on Themes and Plugins

Updating WordPress ensures that your core files are in your control. However, some areas of WordPress are not protected by core updates, and they are themes and plugins.

If you're a beginner, install plugins and updates from reliable developers. Also, ensure that you update your current WordPress themes and plugins.

• Have Frequent Website Backups

Another way to safeguard your website is to have a backup of your site and crucial files.

Back up your site. If something happens to your WordPress website, you can quickly access a previous version of it and start using it.

• Avoid Using the "Admin" Username

Don't use the "admin" user name; it can make your site prone to brute-force attacks and social engineering scams.

This is because "admin" is a common user name that can be easily guessed, making it accessible to scammers who want to compel people to provide their login credentials.

• Use the Latest PHP version.

Old versions of PHP are not secure to use.

If you're not using the advanced version of PHP, update your PHP version to safeguard your site from attack.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your WordPress Website is a crucial step in the design process. If your website is not secure, it leads to cyber-attacks. 

Fortunately, securing a website doesn’t require technical expertise. Using the right tools and hosting plan, one can secure it. However, you must be actively involved in taking proactive measures to prevent any security lapses.

Hire a WordPress Development Company in India to help protect your WordPress site using avant-garde technology and tools.