WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers over 60 million websites. The CMS has grown in popularity, and it’s easy to see why.
WordPress makes website creation and maintenance simple. It’s also free, customisable with themes and plugins, and easily integrates with third-party services like Google Analytics.
WordPress users want to know how to keep their sites secure from hackers looking for vulnerabilities in the platform or the hosting site.
In this blog post, we will walk through some best practices for keeping your WordPress site safe from malicious attacks so you don’t have to worry about your data being compromised or your website going down unexpectedly!
Update Your WordPress Website
First and foremost, always keep your WordPress site up to date. Out-of-date software is more vulnerable to attack, so install all available updates as soon as they become available.
WordPress releases updates frequently, so staying on top of them is essential.
You can also set your site to automatically update its software by going to Settings – Updates and checking the box that says “Automatic Updates.” This will ensure that your site is always running the latest, most secure version of WordPress.
Use a Secure Hosting Provider
A secure hosting provider is one of the best ways to protect your website from hackers. A secure hosting provider will have measures to protect your website from malicious attacks.
Some things to look for when choosing a hosting provider include:
- Does the provider offer security features like firewalls and malware scanning?
- Is the provider PCI-compliant? (PCI compliance ensures that credit card information is not stored or transmitted insecurely.)
- What kind of customer support does the provider offer?
Look for a hosting provider that offers all three features, and you will be in good hands when keeping your website secure.
Use a Unique Username and Password
Many WordPress users have particular usernames and password combinations they use on multiple sites. This poses a security risk because if one site gets compromised, all your other accounts could be at risk.
Make sure you use strong, unique passwords across the board so that no matter what happens with one account, your others remain safe from prying eyes.
Search Engine Visibility
You want people to be able to find your site in search engines when they are looking for information.
Unfortunately, hackers also use this same tactic and may even try to boost your page in the rankings, making their malware easier to download.
Make sure you know how search engine optimisation (SEO) works, and always check to see what kind of effect it has on your site’s security before publishing a new post.
Keep Your Site Updated With Security Patches
Updating security patches is integral to keeping your WordPress website secure from hackers. Developers quickly patch a vulnerability with a security update when it is discovered.
If you keep your plugins updated, you can take advantage of these critical updates as soon as they become available.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that makes it harder for hackers to take over your account. It works by requiring you to prove you are the legitimate owner of your account before logging in.
This could be done by entering a code texted to your mobile device or using a unique app like Google Authenticator.
By using two-factor authentication, you can rest easy knowing that no one can log into your WordPress site without access to your username and password and the unique code sent directly to you.
Make Backups Regularly
Last but not least, make backups of all your data regularly! You never know when something might go wrong, so it’s always a good idea to have a recent backup handy in case you need it.
Several plugins can help you with this, so be sure to check out the options and find one that works best for you.
Hackers are always looking for new ways to access your website and steal your data. By following these simple tips, you can make your WordPress site more secure and keep your data safe from prying eyes.