Essential Security Tips for WordPress Websites

In today’s digital landscape, WordPress powers over 43% of all websites—making it a prime target for hackers and malicious bots. Whether you’re a digital marketer, business owner, or developer, keeping your WordPress site secure is essential, especially if it stores user data, processes payments, or supports critical business operations.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential WordPress security tips—with actionable advice, practical tools, and key statistics to help you stay protected.

WordPress Security Checklist

1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes & Plugins Updated

Keeping your WordPress website’s themes, plugins, and versions up to date is essential for preserving the security of your website.

Outdated and unsupported versions can open you to serious security risks, so you must ensure your website is regularly updated with the latest patches and releases.

Tips:

• Enable automatic updates where possible.
• Use reputable themes and plugins with strong reviews and frequent updates.
• Remove any unused themes/plugins to reduce vulnerabilities.

Fact: Plugins remain the top threat to WordPress sites with 96% of all vulnerable software types affecting a WordPress plugin. (Source: Wordfence)

Ultimately, staying vigilant regarding updates will save you time and keep your website safe.

2. Use Strong Usernames & Passwords

When protecting your WordPress website, you can always be careful. A great security measure is to use and apply username and password best practices when setting up login credentials.

These practices include:

• Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
• Change passwords regularly.
• Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts.
• Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) to add a second layer of login security.

While these steps may seem tedious, they are essential in ensuring that your website remains secure against malicious breaches.

Don’t let hackers intrude on your hard work—put yourself proactively ahead of the curve with effective username and password best practices.

3. Limit Login Attempts

Security is a top-most priority for WordPress websites, and one of the best ways to secure yours is to limit the number of login attempts allowed.

This prevents malicious hackers from successfully guessing your password and can also help reduce the server load by preventing unnecessary requests from reaching your server.

Setting this limit gives you peace of mind that your website and its data are safe against brute-force attacks. Install plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or Wordfence to block repeated failed login attempts.

Fact: Brute-force attacks account for over 16% of WordPress hacks.

4. Change the Default Login URL

Security should be on your mind if you’re an avid WordPress user. One simple tip for virtually improving the safety of your website is to change the login page.

The default login page sticks out like a sore thumb for potential hackers, so changing it can help ward them off and make it much harder for anyone to gain unauthorized access to your site.

You can use plugins like WPS Hide Login to change your login URL. Combine this with 2FA and limited login attempts for maximum security. Be prudent and ensure your WordPress website remains secure.

5. Install CAPTCHA on Forms

Adding a captcha to your WordPress website forms is one of the easiest yet often overlooked steps in ensuring that your website is well-protected.

In short, a captcha verifies that the user submitting the form is not a bot. Combining this feature with other security measures like two-factor authentication will help guarantee that malicious actors can’t compromise your website.

Plus, it’s completely free and takes only minutes to set up. Don’t let a simple security measure be the downfall of an otherwise secure website – add a captcha to your forms today.

Fact: Sites using CAPTCHA see a 70% drop in automated bot submissions.

6. Use a Security Plugin

Think of a comprehensive security plugin as your ultimate shield against threats—your first line of defense in the digital world!

Top Security Plugin Options:

• Wordfence – Firewall, malware scanner, login security.
• Solid Security (fka iThemes Security) – Easy-to-use and highly effective.
• Sucuri – Offers malware scanning and website hardening.

7. Set Up Regular Backups

In the event of a breach, having a backup means you can swiftly restore your site and get back to business as usual. It’s your safety net, ensuring that even when things go wrong, you can bounce back quickly!

Tip: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault, and store backups off-site (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive).

8. Use SSL Encryption (HTTPS)

An SSL certificate not only safeguards your data with encryption but also helps establish trust with your visitors, ensuring they feel secure while browsing your site. It’s a vital step towards creating a safer online experience.

Tip: Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt. Ensure your entire site is served over HTTPS.

9. Secure Your Site: Protecting wp-config.php and .htaccess Files

Your wp-config.php and .htaccess files are like the guardians of your website, controlling crucial settings that keep everything running smoothly. It’s essential to give them the protection they deserve! Let’s dive into how you can harden these vital files and fortify your site against potential threats.

Deny access to the .htaccess and wp-config.php files in your server settings.

10. Audit Admin Access & User Roles

Having too many users with full admin rights can significantly heighten your security risks. It’s crucial to keep a tight leash on who has these privileges to protect your systems effectively.

• Grant only necessary permissions.
• Review and remove old or unused user accounts regularly.
• Log and monitor admin activity using plugins like Simple History.

Top 10 WordPress Security FAQs

1. Is WordPress secure by default?
   Yes, but only if kept up to date and configured properly. Its open-source nature means you’re responsible for proactive security.
2. What’s the best security plugin for WordPress?
   Wordfence, iThemes Security, and Sucuri are top-tier choices with varying features like firewalls, malware scans, and login protection.
3. How often should I back up my site?
   At least weekly—or daily if you update your site frequently. Always back up before major changes.
4. How do I know if my site has been hacked?
   Look for strange redirects, new unknown users, slow load times, or changes to files. Use malware scanners or plugins to confirm.
5. What is 2FA, and why is it important?
   Two-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security—usually via mobile or email—reducing the risk of unauthorized logins.
6. Can free themes or plugins be risky?
   Yes—especially if downloaded from unofficial sources. They may contain malware or vulnerabilities.
7. Does hosting affect WordPress security?
   Absolutely. Choose a secure host with features like server-side firewalls, malware scanning, and DDoS protection.
8. Should I disable XML-RPC?
   Yes, unless you need it. XML-RPC is often exploited in brute-force and DDoS attacks.
9. How can I monitor login activity?
   Use security plugins with logging features or dedicated plugins like WP Activity Log to monitor suspicious behavior.
10. Can I secure WordPress without a plugin?
    Yes, but plugins simplify the process. Manual security requires advanced knowledge of server configuration and code.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Website security is essential and shouldn’t be seen as optional. However, it doesn’t need to be costly or complicated. Here are some straightforward tips to help you secure your WordPress website. Protecting your brand, your users, and your bottom line is critical. Fortunately, ensuring the security of your WordPress site doesn’t require large investments; just the right tools, consistent monitoring, and smart habits.

Site Architects is here to help you lock down your WordPress site with expert security audits, hardening, and ongoing maintenance. Don’t wait until after a breach. Let’s secure your site today. Contact us for a free consultation.