How to Improve Your WordPress Security: Top Tips to Prevent Hacking
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) worldwide, powering millions of websites. However, its widespread use also makes it a prime target for hackers. From SQL injections to brute force attacks, cybercriminals continuously look for new vulnerabilities to exploit. In this guide, we’ll explore how to improve your WordPress security and prevent unauthorized access, keeping your site safe from potential threats.
1. Strengthen Permissions for wp-config.php and .htaccess Files
One of the first steps to securing your WordPress website is ensuring that critical files like wp-config.php and .htaccess have the correct permissions. By default, these files are readable by anyone with access to the server, which can be a security risk.
To improve security, change the file permissions to:
- wp-config.php:
600 -rw------- - .htaccess:
600 -rw-------
This will limit file access to the server’s user only, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized modifications.
2. Keep PHP Updated for Better WordPress Security
Using the latest version of PHP is essential for keeping your WordPress site secure. As of October 6, 2021, PHP 7.4 is recommended. Keeping your PHP version updated ensures that your site benefits from the latest security patches, helping you stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities. Always check for supported PHP versions and upgrade accordingly.
For more details, visit PHP’s official supported versions page.
3. Disable Theme and Plugin File Editing From the Admin Panel
By disabling the ability to edit theme and plugin files from the WordPress dashboard, you can prevent hackers from injecting malicious code if they gain access to an admin account. Add the following line to your wp-config.php file to disable file editing:
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );
After this change, the “Plugins > Editor” and “Appearance > Editor” options will be hidden from the admin panel, securing your site from malicious changes.
4. Regularly Update WordPress Plugins
Keeping your plugins updated is one of the simplest ways to protect your site. Developers frequently release updates to patch security flaws and fix bugs. Additionally, it’s essential to remove unused plugins, as they can also introduce unnecessary vulnerabilities.
Stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities by following tech blogs and WordPress community forums.
5. Use Trusted Sources for Themes and Plugins
Only download themes and plugins from trusted sources like the WordPress Theme Repository and the WordPress Plugin Directory. These files are typically vetted for security, which helps minimize the risk of malware.
If you’re looking for expert help to implement and manage your security measures, ZippyOPS offers consulting, implementation, and managed services that include security solutions for WordPress and other platforms.
6. Modify the Default Database Prefix During Installation
When installing WordPress, the default database prefix is wp_, making it easier for hackers to target your site. Consider changing the database table prefix during installation to something more unique. This will add an extra layer of protection against SQL injection attacks.
7. Use Strong Passwords and Avoid the Default ‘Admin’ Username
Using weak passwords or the default “admin” username makes your site more vulnerable to brute force attacks. Always opt for strong, unique passwords, and avoid using default usernames. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
8. Disable User Registration if Not Needed
If your WordPress site doesn’t require user registration, disable it to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Simply go to the Settings page, then the General section, and uncheck the “Anyone can register” option.
9. Turn Off Comments if They’re Unnecessary
Exposing comments on your site can increase the risk of spam and hacking attempts. If you don’t need them, you can disable comments entirely. Go to Settings > Discussion, and uncheck the box labeled “Allow people to post comments on new articles.”
10. Secure WordPress Files with robots.txt for WordPress security
The robots.txt file helps control how search engines index your site. It can also be used to block crawlers from accessing certain files, improving security. Here’s an example of how to set up your robots.txt file:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Disallow: /wp-content/uploads/
Check out the Google guidelines for robots.txt for more details.
11. Protect Against User Enumeration Attacks
User enumeration is a method hackers use to gain information about your site’s users. To prevent this, you can limit login attempts and disable author-based URLs, making it harder for hackers to gather information for brute force attacks.
For additional guidance, check out this discussion on StackExchange.
12. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code in addition to your password when logging in. To set up 2FA, install the Google Authenticator plugin and follow the configuration steps. After activation, each login attempt will require you to enter a unique code, enhancing your site’s security.
13. Limit Login Attempts for WordPress security
Limiting login attempts can help protect your site from brute force attacks. You can install a plugin like WP Limit Login Attempts to restrict the number of failed login attempts.
14. Regular Backups Are Essential
Even the best security measures can’t guarantee 100% protection. Always ensure you have regular backups of your website. Use a reliable backup solution like UpdraftPlus to automate the backup process.
15. Hide Your WordPress Version Information
Your WordPress version can provide hackers with critical information. To hide this information, add the following code to your .htaccess file:
<files readme.html>
order allow,deny
deny from all
</files>
You can also use a plugin like Sucuri to hide version information automatically.
16. Block PHP Execution in Certain Directories for WordPress security
To prevent unauthorized PHP files from being executed, add this code to your .htaccess file:
<Files *.php>
deny from all
</Files>
This step can help secure folders like /wp-content/uploads/, which are often targeted by hackers.
17. Disable Access to the WordPress REST API and XML-RPC
If you don’t need the REST API or XML-RPC features, consider disabling them to reduce attack surfaces. For example, you can use a plugin to disable the REST API or add this code to your theme’s functions.php file to disable XML-RPC:
add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');
For additional resources, check out this guide on disabling XML-RPC.
18. Ensure Your Site Has an SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate encrypts data between your site and its visitors, making it harder for hackers to intercept. Ensure that SSL is properly configured by following guidelines in this comprehensive WordPress SSL setup guide.
Conclusion for Improving WordPress security
Improving your WordPress security is a crucial task for every website owner. By following these tips and adopting best practices, you can significantly reduce the chances of being hacked. If you’re looking for expert guidance and support in securing your WordPress site, ZippyOPS offers consulting, implementation, and managed services in DevOps, Cloud, Security, and more. Reach out to us at sales@zippyops.com for a personalized security strategy.
