Original title: WordPress website security - how to protect WordPress website?

Learn how to protect the security of WordPress websites through an effective WordPress website security guide.

WordPress is considered one of the most secure content management systems. However, it is an open source platform. This is why many cyber criminals are attracted to it, hoping to exploit its loopholes to attack.

A report by Sucuri said that 83% of the attacked websites run on WordPress. Therefore, the security of the WordPress website is the most important issue for most enterprises running on it.

People have questioned WordPress's claim that it is the safest platform.

So let's talk about whether this platform is worth choosing.

Is WordPress really safe?

WordPress is home to almost 42.9% of all websites. In terms of maintaining security, each user's behavior is different.

Some people like to keep their websites updated, while others rely on their luck. This is why cyber criminals are easy to implement their plans. Obsolete software paves the way for hackers to invade WP websites.

WordPress employs more than 50 high-quality expert developers who have been paying close attention to vulnerabilities and changes in cyberspace. Therefore, if a person keeps their security protocol unchanged and updates their platform and password regularly, it will be much easier to protect their website.

But why do you need to protect your website?

Well, let's take a look at some prominent threats that are prevalent today.

What are the most important WordPress website security issues?

1. Violent attack

In a violent attack, the hacker tries to destroy the website by entering the user name and password combination generated by the robot, and finally obtains the correct credentials.

If your password is weak, these attacks may be very effective.

2. Cross site scripting attacks

In XSS or cross site scripting attacks, hackers inject malicious code into websites to obtain sensitive data.

This kind of code can be booted and injected through the user contact table or in the background, but the security of the background is not so strong.

3. SQL injection

Similar to XSS, SQL injection also emits a series of codes through the user form submission page so that the website can store them in the database.

Once the code is stored, hackers can use it to collect user data and infect the database.

4. Backdoor attack

These attacks bypass the login part and enter the website through file access. Hackers can infect a file and use it as a back door to enter your website and destroy it at any time.

One of the well-known research done by Sucuri, backdoor is a serious vulnerability that hackers can use. Nearly 71% of the websites used or infected are faced with backdoor injection.

5. Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS)

DDoS attacks are carried out by hackers attacking multiple computers and overwhelming a specific website with traffic from unknown sources.

Too much traffic crashes the site and does not allow the owner to enter the site.

Now that you know these problems, let's take a look at 20 tips for protecting the WordPress website.

How to protect your WordPress website?

1. Login security

Password strength

If you want to protect your WP website from hackers, a strong password is necessary. Make sure you use a 14 digit password that contains upper and lower case letters and special symbols.

Two factor authentication system

To create a two factor authentication system, users must enter a unique 4-6 digit OTP next to their password to log in.

2. Select host suppliers wisely.

An ideal hosting service will keep your data backups and help you retrieve them in the event of an attack. They must have the necessary security protocols to prevent hackers from intruding. Therefore, choose them wisely.

3. Encrypt your data through SSL

SSL or Secure Sockets Layer certificate is a known security protocol used to encrypt data and create a secure network connection through SSL handshake. It is essential for every website because it can hide sensitive data, such as user passwords, bank information, credit card numbers, addresses, etc.

You can purchase a common certificate (a certificate that does not provide subdomain protection) or a wildcard SSL certificate (which protects both primary and subdomains, with a maximum of 250 domain names/subdomains).

4. Update WordPress software

WordPress developers are constantly trying to find potentially dangerous errors. Once found, security patches and bug fixes will be released to users. Therefore, everyone must update their WordPress to the latest version to maintain protection.

5. Upgrade PHP version

PHP updates can often reach your WP dashboard. You can simply go to your hosting service and update it to protect your hosting and website.

6. Integrated security plug-in

Security plug-ins help prevent hackers' attempts and penetration through continuous scanning. They isolate threats by detecting malicious activity. There are many such plug-ins, such as Frog Digital Security.

7. Install a theme that meets the requirements

In general, we tend to choose themes based on their appearance. But this is totally wrong, because we have played down its vulnerability, compatibility and compliance.

Make sure your WP Theme Comply with WP standards to eliminate all potential vulnerabilities.

8. Use WAF

WAF or Web Application Firewall is a security technology between a host and a third party, which is used to monitor incoming traffic. Frog digital security provides professional and inexpensive WAF firewall

WAF protocol helps prevent hacker attacks by identifying and notifying you of potential attacks. It avoids the direct connection between the host and the third party.

9. Create a backup system

In case of website crash, backup is your only choice. Although most real host services provide backup systems while providing services, you must create a separate backup system in the cloud.

Cloud backup helps you access your website data from any device.

10. Scan your WP website regularly.

In order to ensure the smooth operation of your WP website, you must conduct regular scanning through security tools.

There are many tools, such as MalCare, WP Sec Scan, Sucuri Scan, Wordence, etc. Scanning your website once a month can help it stay in good condition.

11. Special characters are not allowed in user input fields

If you accept user comments, credentials and details on your website, you must be careful of XSS attacks.

Hackers can input special symbols and characters to interfere with your database and eventually invade your website. Therefore, it is not allowed to use special characters as user replies in the input fields.

12. Constrain user permissions

Allowing more users to access your administration area will put a secure WordPress website at risk. Therefore, you must apply constraints, such as restricting their access to non management pages.

You will be less likely to be attacked by hackers, because attackers will not find many vulnerabilities through violence or phishing attacks.

13. Integrate WP alarm system

If you are invaded, it is better to know early rather than late. Therefore, when someone tries to attack you, there should be a monitoring system to remind you.

Once you are alert, you can save the whole part of your website from further damage.

14. Keep a log to track user activities.

The log records the user's behavior on the website. By checking from time to time, you can know who has changed the password, logged in to the management panel, exited the management panel, and changed the plug-in.

15. Keep login URL independent

Using the default WP login URL, the website may become a simple target for hackers. You must use WPS to hide login and other plug-ins, and change your URL to avoid this situation.

16. Editing files on the WP Dashboard is not allowed

As an administrator, you can change the WP file code at will. The problem is that this is fatal to the safety of WordPress.

If an attacker gains access to your website, they can easily change the code and invade all your files. Therefore, disable it by publishing the following code in your wp.config. php.

//File editing not allowed

define (DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT, true );

17. Change the prefix of the database file

By default, WordPress file names start with wp_. Hackers can find your database by entering this default prefix and injecting SQL.

Therefore, change your prefix to something similar to wptable_, making it difficult for hackers to guess.

18. Delete XML RPC

Due to the REST API, the use of XML-RPC in WP users is not prominent. But if you still use it, your website may be suspected.

To deactivate it, use the XML-RPC-API plug-in. Even other WP security plug-ins can erase it.

19. Create a new WP admin account.

If you are not sure whether your WP management account is secure, you can consider deleting it. You can create another account and grant it the same permissions. This time, keep different and unique credentials to avoid being found.

20. Do not display your WP version.

Sometimes knowing your WP version is all hackers need. They have a ready-made plan to break through the loopholes in the old version.

If they can see your WP version, they can use their strategy to destroy your WP website. Therefore, you should hide your WP version at all costs, so hackers can't know whether their vulnerability technology will work on your version.

The last thought on WordPress website security

Having said so much, you must have understood how challenging it is to maintain a WordPress website in today's world.

In addition to having security protocols such as SSL certificates, you must also know one or two things about the technology world to avoid falling into a dangerous situation.

However, this package of 20 tips covers all the techniques you need to know. If you integrate these skills, you can certainly maintain a secure and powerful WP website.

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