8 Ways to Boost the Security of your WordPress Website
You should prioritise security if you have an online presence and use WordPress as your content management system.
Despite having a lot of major vulnerabilities because it is an open-source CMS, WordPress is generally a secure platform. Fortunately, if you follow the right steps, securing WordPress security is simple.
Why is WordPress Security Important?
The revenue and reputation of your business could be severely harmed by a WordPress site hack. By installing harmful software on your users’ computers or infecting them with malware, hackers can steal user information, passwords, and even infect your users with malware. In the worst case, you might have to pay ransom to hackers to regain access to your website.
Google reports that in March 2016, more than 50 million internet users received alerts that a website they were visiting might be infected with malware or steal their personal information. Additionally, Google blacklists roughly 50,000 websites for phishing and 20,000 websites for malware every week. If you are managing a website for a business, WordPress security should be your top concern. It is your duty as the owner of an online business to protect your website just as you would a physical one.
1. Use Secure Hosting
Not all web hosts are created equal, and hosting errors are a major contributing factor in WordPress site hacking. When choosing a web hosting provider, resist the urge to simply select the cheapest option.
Do your research and confirm that the company you’re working with has a solid reputation and a history of successfully adopting security measures. The piece of mind that comes from knowing that your website is in capable hands is always worth paying a little bit more for.
2. Update WordPress Version Always
Hackers routinely target out-of-date WordPress versions. Make sure you regularly check for updates and install them as soon as you can to prevent vulnerabilities seen in previous versions of WordPress.
Ensure a backup of your website, make sure your plugins are compatible with the most recent version of WordPress, and then update them as necessary before upgrading WordPress.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication
WordPress security shouldn’t just apply to the website; it should also cover the login process, which needs to be protected in the same way as the website. One method for doing this is through two-factor authentication.
To ensure increased security, this authentication requires a double login on your website. As a result, it prevents hackers from using the system to access your data. When using two-factor authentication, in addition to entering your username and password, you must additionally enter a code. It can be delivered to you via email, SMS, or another channel.
4. Have an SSL Certificate
Your WordPress website has to have an SSL certificate in order to protect visitors, especially if they need to enter sensitive information like credit card numbers. It also increases the likelihood that Google will index your website because safe sites are a factor in Google’s ranking system.
Contact your hosting server to request a certificate; many will do so at no cost. It must be implemented in WordPress using the Really Simple SSL plugin after being activated.
5. Ensure themes and plugins are Updated
One of the first steps in creating a WordPress site is selecting a theme. You must select a theme from among a variety of themes to make your website look like your company.
The design of themes is combined with aspects that meet your needs. However, you must install updates as soon as they become available for them to work correctly. Otherwise, the template can stop functioning well and lose parts of its capabilities.
The same applies to plugins that add specific features to the website, such as a contact form, social media buttons, lead generation banner production, etc. Updates must always be installed in order to ensure that there are no issues.
6. Secure WordPress Theme
Just as you shouldn’t install a dubious plugin on your website, you shouldn’t employ any WordPress theme that looks decent. To prevent theme-related vulnerabilities, use a WordPress theme that adheres to WordPress standards.
To check if your current theme satisfies WordPress’ requirements, paste the URL of your website (or the URL of any WordPress site or live demo) into the W3C validator. Go to the official WordPress theme directory and hunt for a new theme if yours isn’t up to par.
7. Install a Firewall
In order to stop illegal traffic from accessing your network or system, a firewall is a device that lies between the network of your WordPress site and all other networks. Firewalls prevent direct connections between your network and other networks, keeping dangerous activity away from your site.
It is suggested that you utilise a Web Application Firewall (WAF) plugin to secure your WordPress website. Before choosing any of the items on this list, think about what kind of firewall and plugin will suit your needs the most.
8. Assign the Right Permissions for Files and Folders
Along with WordPress users, folders and files should have limited access in order to preserve your WordPress security. Think about how harmful it would be if someone with access to them unintentionally deleted a crucial file, impacting the performance of the page.
As a result, make sure that files critical to your business websites, such as wp-config.php and debug.log, are only accessible to those involved in its administration.
Conclusion
To connect to the server and set up your website, use SSH or SFTP. Although FTP is preferred by developers, the two mentioned have more robust security measures. You can deliver files to the host more securely as a result. You don’t need to manage these services yourself; they are provided by hosting servers.
By adhering to these WordPress security recommendations, you can increase the security of your business’ website. In this manner, you’ll be able to unwind and concentrate on the achievement of your Digital Marketing business.
