WordPress is the most widely used website publishing platform in the world. It makes it easy to create and update your site, often without writing a single line of code or learning advanced web development.
However, because it’s so popular and includes a built-in login system, WordPress sites can be vulnerable to hacking and other security risks. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to help keep your site safe.
1. Keep everything up to date
Regular updates are one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your website. Updates aren’t just for WordPress itself, themes and plugins are updated frequently too, often to fix security vulnerabilities.
Even if a theme or plugin isn’t active, it’s still important to keep it up to date. Outdated components are a common target for hackers trying to gain access to websites.
If you don’t log in to your site regularly, you can install plugins that automatically apply updates or notify you when updates are available.
Note: While the core WordPress platform update is usually reliable and won’t break a site, some plugins and themes are not so robust. In some cases, updating a poorly written or outdated plugin or theme can cause a site to stop responding. It is a good idea to back up your website and database frequently in case an update causes your website to crash. If you have Personal, Startup, or Business Hosting with Rebel, your website, database and email are backed up daily and can be quickly restored. |
2. Strengthen your account and password security
Your login credentials are the first line of defence against attacks.
Avoid using common usernames such as “admin,” “user,” or “manager.” The default “admin” account is especially vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Create a strong password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like !@#?). Longer passwords are much more secure.
You can use free tools like a strong password generator to create complex passwords.
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Users to create a new account with a secure username and password. Then log in with your new account and delete the old “admin” account or any others that are no longer needed.
If remembering multiple strong passwords feels overwhelming, consider using a Password Manager app to store them securely.
3. Install a security plugin
A good security plugin adds an extra layer of protection to your WordPress site.
Popular free options include iThemes Security and Wordfence. These tools can:
Block suspicious login attempts
Filter out malicious IP addresses
Scan your website for vulnerabilities
While both offer paid versions, the free versions typically provide strong protection for most websites. You can review each plugin’s features and decide if premium options are right for you.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.