How to Ensure Your WordPress Website is Secure and Fully Protected?

WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems out there, running millions of websites. Its popularity shows just how functional and easy it is to use, but it also means hackers often have their eyes on it.

On average, it’s estimated that 30,000 to 70,000 websites are hacked daily worldwide. This includes a wide range of cyberattacks, from defacing websites to installing malware or phishing scripts.

Just one vulnerability can lead to big problems, like data breaches or malware.

Hence, keeping your WordPress site secure isn’t an option — it’s a must requirement. Don’t worry, though! We’re here to guide you through the steps to keep your site safe and protected.

Why Website Security is Important?

Website security is not just a technical concern—it’s the foundation of trust between you and your customers.

Without adequate security measures, your website risks falling victim to cyberattacks that can impact both your business operations and your reputation. It’s not simply about protection from hackers; it’s about ensuring seamless user experiences, safeguarding sensitive data, and building long-term customer confidence.

When security breaches occur, they can result in compromised visitor trust, negative SEO impacts, and financial losses.

Here are key concerns that highlight why website security is important:

• Protecting Sensitive Data: Websites collect sensitive customer information, which can be targeted in cyberattacks. A 2023 Verizon report showed 43% of data breaches involve stolen personal data, leading to identity theft and financial losses.

• Maintaining Trust with Users: Unsecure websites lose customer trust. According to a 2019 GlobalSign survey, 84% of users abandon sites that don’t appear secure, impacting sales and reputation.

• Preventing Financial Loss: Cyberattacks can be costly. IBM’s 2020 report found the average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million, with ransomware attacks demanding hefty payments.

• Safeguarding Your Reputation: A breach can harm your brand. KPMG’s 2019 survey showed 32% of consumers stop doing business with a company after a data breach, affecting long-term loyalty.

• Preventing Downtime: Cyberattacks cause downtime, costing businesses $5,600 per minute in lost revenue, as per SiteGround’s 2022 study, and may harm SEO rankings.

• Compliance with Legal Regulations: Laws like the GDPR require businesses to secure customer data. Fines for non-compliance can be up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover, as per the GDPR.

• Preventing Malware and Phishing: Hackers use compromised websites to distribute malware and launch phishing attacks. 2024 estimates suggest 1 in 10 websites will be used for these purposes.

9 Ways to Ensure your WordPress Website is Secure and Protected

1) Choose a Secure Hosting Provider

A solid foundation begins with your hosting provider. Opting for a reliable and secure hosting service is critical to preventing potential vulnerabilities.

Managed WordPress hosting solutions, such as A2Hosting, Hostinger, and other reputed providers come with built-in security measures like:

• Free SSL certificates.

• Web Application Firewalls (WAF).

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection.

• Regular malware scanning and automatic updates.

By choosing a hosting provider that prioritizes security, you reduce risks from the outset.

2) Enable Strong Authentication Measures

Your WordPress login page is a frequent target of brute force attacks, where automated bots attempt endless username and password combinations.

Strengthen this first line of defense with the following steps:

• Use Strong Passwords: Create passwords that are complex, at least 12 characters long, and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Avoid Default Usernames: Never use “admin” as your username, as this is the first attempt hackers make during brute force attacks. Choose a unique alternative.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implement 2FA plugins such as Google Authenticator or Duo. Even if someone guesses your password, they won’t gain access without the second authentication step.

• Change Login URLs: Customize your login URLs to deter bots crawling default admin links (e.g., `yoursite.com/wp-admin`).

3) Keep Your WordPress Software Updated

Outdated software is one of the most common reasons WordPress websites are compromised.

Regularly updating your WordPress core, plugins, and themes ensures any known vulnerabilities are patched.

For added convenience, enable automatic updates for minor versions. However, always create a website backup before applying updates to prevent potential compatibility issues.

4) Install a Security Plugin Suite

To streamline and enhance your site’s protection, install security-focused plugins such as Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security. These plugins offer comprehensive security measures, including:

• Malware scans.

• Firewall protection.

• Login attempt restrictions.

• File integrity monitoring.

Security plugins are like virtual guards keeping an eye on your website 24/7.

5) Secure Your Website with SSL Encryption

An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate encrypts the data exchanged between your website and its visitors, making it harder for malicious actors to intercept sensitive information. Ensure your website uses HTTPS instead of the less secure HTTP.

Sites without SSL certificates may face lower rank in search engines and reduced user trust—making this a simple but crucial security measure.

6) Conduct Regular Backups

Backing up your WordPress website serves as your safety net.

Even if your site is breached, a recent backup ensures you can restore it to its previous state quickly.

Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to schedule regular backups of your site’s database and files.

Store backups on cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox for added security.

One of our clients in the UK recently faced the unfortunate issue of losing all their website data from the server, with no backup available.

He reached out to Loyal Web Solutions for assistance, and we had to rebuild the website from scratch due to the lack of backups.

Fortunately, the website was small, allowing us to restore it quickly on a more reliable hosting platform before any SEO efforts were negatively impacted.

7) Protect Your Database and Files

To secure your WordPress database and critical files, try the following techniques:

• Change Database Table Prefix: The default WordPress database prefix is “wp_”. Change this to a custom string during installation or use a plugin like Change DB Prefix to make updates post-installation.

• Harden the wp-config.php File: This file contains sensitive information about your site’s database. Move it to a directory outside public_html and restrict file permissions to ensure only administrators can access it.

• Disable XML-RPC: XML-RPC is an API that allows third-party apps to interact with WordPress but can also be exploited in attacks. If it’s not needed, disable it using a plugin or by adding custom code to your `.htaccess` file.

8) Advanced Techniques for Enhanced Security

Consider implementing these advanced strategies to further secure your site:

• Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Use activity log plugins like WP Activity Log to track user and system changes.

• Hide Your WordPress Version: Remove version details from your site’s source code to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities specific to older WordPress versions.

• Adjust File Permissions: Restrict access to sensitive files by setting permissions to 440 or 400. Ensure your hosting provider hasn’t already set custom permissions.

• Change Salt Keys Periodically: Salt keys secure user authentication cookies. Update them periodically using WordPress security tools to add an extra layer of protection.

9) Regular Security Audits

Maintaining WordPress security isn’t a one-time task. Hackers constantly innovate new attack methods, making regular security audits essential.

Perform scans to detect malware early, monitor your traffic for anomalies, and check for signs like unauthorized changes or repetitive login attempts.

Security plugins like WordFence offer automated scan features to keep this manageable.

Final Thoughts

Securing your WordPress website may seem time-consuming or complex, but the payoff in protecting your content, visitors, and reputation is invaluable.

Start with the basics like strong passwords, hosting from reputable providers, and software updates. Then add advanced measures like database hardening, salt key updates, and regular security audits for comprehensive protection.

Your WordPress site is a valuable asset. Taking proactive steps to shield it from threats ensures it remains a stable, trustworthy platform for visitors and a stress-free tool for you.

With this guide in hand, you’re well-equipped to safeguard your WordPress website and focus on what matters—growing your business, sharing your ideas, and connecting with your audience.