WordPress Site Security: How To Secure a Website?

WordPress stands as one of the most reliable and functional content management systems, (CMS), with roughly 45.8% of websites built on it. Because of its significant market share and popularity, it is vulnerable to multiple malicious activities and cyber-attacks. 

Of course, this doesn’t imply that WordPress security measures are poor since security breaches can also occur because of users’ lack of awareness regarding security. Therefore, it’s wise to implement preventive security measures before your website becomes a target for hackers.

If you own a WordPress site, it better be secured. No matter what size or niche your business is, security is an integral factor that can’t be overlooked. By any chance, if you compromise this aspect, your business reputation might get hurt or the worst part is that you could lose your website forever.

That’s why it is important to execute some preemptive approaches to avoid every kind of security breach. 

This article will discuss eight effective methods to protect your site from hackers and all sorts of cybercriminals. Let’s dive in. 

Why Is WordPress Security Important?

Your website is the place to make a good impression on your visitors. It tells them about who you are, and what business offerings they can expect from you.

What if they suddenly start encountering malicious links or your website goes completely offline? It will negatively impact your business reputation and you might never restore your site.

Considering all these aspects, it is crucial to prioritize WordPress security.

Protecting your website will save you from major identity thefts, server crashes, data leaks, and more. Furthermore, Google prefers secure sites to rank higher on SERPs, boosting user experience.  

Website security is also one of the paramount concerns for visitors as well. They expect protection of their personal or payment details on your site. Any scenario of their details being stolen can undermine their trust in your brand. 

These statements clearly describe that WordPress security is your prime concern. You need to ensure your visitors that their information or any activity on your site is safe so that they experience user satisfaction and keep coming back. 

How to Secure WordPress Website? Best Practices

Here are the eight best practices to strengthen your WordPress safety against potential online threats.

Strengthen Your Login Procedures

Your login credentials and procedures are one of the decisive factors determining your site’s vulnerability to cyberattacks. So the first step is to secure your site from malicious login attempts.

Here’s how you can do it;

Choosing strong passwords:

You can’t rely on some generic, go-to passwords and expect your site will be secured from hackers. It’s 2024, people are still using passwords like ‘Jacob123456’. 

A weak password can be troublesome, so either choose a strong one or let password managers do the thing for you. They will create a strong password for your site and keep track of it.

Adding captcha: 

Strengthen your WordPress security by adding a captcha — an additional security layer for your website. It verifies that a person logging in to the backend is a living being. You can use plugins to get this security feature for your site.

Implement two-factor authentication (2FA):

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) requires users to confirm their sign-in using a second device. This is among the easiest yet most powerful methods to secure your login process.

Restrict multiple login attempts:

Limiting the number of incorrect login attempts helps safeguard your website from unauthorized access. If individuals try to log in too many times, the content management system (CMS) will lock them out, preventing a brute-force login attack. 

Upgrade to the Latest PHP Version

PHP, MySQL, and HTTPS support are three fundamental elements ensuring effective operations of your WordPress website. PHP, also known as hypertext preprocessor, is a widely used open-source scripting language crucial to WordPress. Its open-source nature makes it vulnerable to exploitation by malicious individuals. 

Keeping PHP updated is the best way to prevent these potential problems. This not only enhances WordPress security but also ensures your website runs efficiently.

Keep Your WordPress Version Updated

If you’re using an outdated version of WordPress, your site might be the next target for hackers. WordPress is an open-source platform which is why it attracts numerous intruders.

To keep your site secure, make sure you’ve installed the latest version of the software. Simultaneously, update all WordPress security plugins and themes for smooth website functionality. Furthermore, update any APIs for optimized API performance if your site relies on them.

Whether you’re installing a new software version or updating the plugins, ensure you create a website backup before any action. 

Activate SSL/HTTPS

SSL — secure sockets layer is an Internet security protocol that encrypts the connection between the web browser and your website. For instance, an individual making a purchase over HTTP faces the potential risk of their credit card details being exploited. Conversely, if the purchase is made over HTTPS, their information would be safe. 

Your website and its visitors are at risk and susceptible in the absence of a secure connection. This is why it’s essential to install an SSL on your new website.

Select a Secure Host

Your hosting company is your security partner and choosing one with a good reputation is important. When searching for a hosting company, always prefer fast and reliable ones, that offer excellent customer support. 

Here are some other vital aspects to consider;

• 24/7 support to assist if your website ever gets hacked.
• Regular backups should be included with your plan or available for an additional fee.
• Security scans will alert you to suspicious code and activity on your site.
• Free SSL certificates to protect visitors’ data.
• A built-in firewall to protect the database on your server.

Install Reliable Security Plugins

WordPress security plugins are essential for protecting your website from multiple potential threats. For instance, if your hosting company doesn’t offer regular backups, the backup plugin can protect your important files. It can help restore your site if you lose any data, avoiding rebuilding it from scratch.

Similarly, other security plugins such as login activity plugins can also be greatly beneficial. They authorize limited login attempts, hide website login details, and schedule backups. Installing various security plugins can help strengthen your overall security protocols, safeguarding your site from cyber-attacks. 

Install Firewall

A firewall resides between the network hosting your WordPress website and all other networks, automatically preventing unauthorized traffic from accessing your network or system from the outside. It blocks malicious activity by removing a direct connection between your network and other networks. 

Install a Web Application Firewall (WAF) plugin to elevate your website’s protection. A WAP is a cloud-based system that provides an extra layer of protection. It blocks all kinds of spamming activities and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

Conduct Regular Security Audits

With all these WordPress security measures, it is significant to conduct security audits on a regular basis. Just as technology is evolving, so does the hackers’ toolkit. Due, to new malware tactics, securing your website is an ongoing task, not a one-time fix. 

Schedule regular security checks and stay alert for signs that your site might be compromised—at least aim to audit your site once a month. If you notice your site loading slowly, a drop in traffic, unexpected new links, or an increase in login attempts, it’s time to run a security scan to keep your site safe and secure.

Final Thoughts

WordPress security reduces the risk, but it certainly doesn’t eliminate the chance of being hacked or exposed to any cybercriminal activity. While this platform offers several benefits, it is important to be aware of its shortcomings. 

By taking necessary security measures, you can ensure your site runs smoothly and remains safe for your visitors. Install security plugins, secure your login procedures, choose a reliable host, and schedule regular security audits to keep things on track.