Securing your WordPress website is crucial in safeguarding your data and maintaining your visitors’ trust. With WordPress powering over 40% of websites globally, it’s a popular target for attackers. Here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to ensure your site stays secure.

Step 1: Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider

Your first line of defence is a reputable hosting provider. Choose one offering:

• Automatic backups
• Malware scanning
• Firewalls
• 24/7 support
• SSL certificates

Recommended provider – TekLan Hosting! Fantastic price and they know their stuff.

Step 2: Keep WordPress Updated

Regular updates fix security vulnerabilities. Ensure:

• WordPress core is updated
• Plugins and themes are always current

Enable automatic updates whenever possible to reduce risks.

Step 3: Strong Login Details

Avoid default usernames such as admin. Always use:

• Complex passwords (12+ characters, alphanumeric with symbols)
• Unique passwords for every user

Consider using a password manager like BitWarden or 1Password.

Step 4: Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication significantly enhances security:

• Install a plugin like Google Authenticator or Wordfence.
• Follow plugin instructions to set up 2FA for user accounts.

Step 5: Install a Security Plugin

Security plugins automate essential tasks and offer real-time monitoring. Recommended plugins include:

• Wordfence
• Sucuri Security
• iThemes Security

Set up these plugins to execute regular scans and alert you to potential threats.

Step 6: Limit Login Attempts

Brute-force attacks can be mitigated by limiting login attempts:

• Install plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.
• Configure settings to lock out IPs after several failed attempts.

Step 7: Secure wp-config.php and .htaccess Files

These files contain sensitive information:

• Move wp-config.php one directory above the root if possible.
• Set file permissions:
  • wp-config.php to 400
  • .htaccess to 444

Step 8: Use SSL/HTTPS

SSL encrypts data between your server and users:

• Obtain a free SSL certificate from providers like Let’s Encrypt.
• Use plugins like Really Simple SSL to enable HTTPS quickly.

Step 9: Disable Directory Listing

Prevent attackers from browsing your files:

• Add this line to your .htaccess file:

Options -Indexes

Step 10: Regular Backups

Regular backups help recover your site if compromised:

• Schedule automatic backups with plugins like UpdraftPlus or VaultPress.
• Store backups offsite in cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Conclusion

Securing your WordPress site requires diligence and regular maintenance. By adhering to these steps, you significantly reduce vulnerabilities. You enhance your website’s overall security posture. This ensures peace of mind for you and your visitors.