WordPress Security Steps: Every WordPress Blogger Must Follow

WordPress is one of the most popular blogging and CMS (Content Management System).

That is why more than 74.6 million websites built on WordPress.

It’s growing popularity put it on the top of hackers’ wishlist.

Team WordPress are aware of this concern that’s why they have a huge list of WordPress plugins more than 42,000 to make its user’s life easy.

If you are a beginner blogger and using WordPress for blogging then this post is only for you.

In this post, you are going to learn what steps you can take to improve your the security of your new WordPress website.

WordPress Security Steps

WordPress is one of the most popular blogging and CMS (Content Management System).

That is why more than 74.6 million websites built on WordPress.

It’s growing popularity put it on the top of hackers’ wishlist.

Team WordPress are aware of this concern that’s why they have a huge list of WordPress plugins more than 42,000 to make its user’s life easy.

If you are a beginner blogger and using WordPress for blogging then this post is only for you.

In this post, you are going to learn what steps you can take to improve your WordPress website’s security.

Step 1: Keep Your Website Updated

Do you want new features of WordPress that enhance your site’s performance?

If you are nodding yes, then why don’t you update your WordPress website?

Many webmasters scare to update their website with the new version.

They think if they update, their theme and plugins functionality setting might be changed.

If you are one of them, then you should re-setting your theme and plugins setting.

WordPress update improves website’s performance, user experience, and the security issues.

As early as possible a new update of WP is available; you should download it immediately because if you don’t do that; you instantly become vulnerable to a whole slew of security threats and put your WordPress security at risk.

Step 2: Reduce login attempts

Do you know 8% of website hacks get possible because of default username ‘admin’ and weak passwords?

The choosing default username and weak password are like open the door of your house for thieves.

If you are still using username admin, change it with a unique username instantly and protect it with a secure password.

If you don’t know how to create strong passwords, you can use the following online password generator tools:

• Strong Password Generator
• LastPass
• Norton Password Generator

Typically, hackers try to brute force your passwords. It is critical to your website’s security that your password should be strong enough.

What is a brute force?

It is a technique that hackers use to hack a website by using multiple password combinations until they get the right one and finally gain access.

You can easily stop them by limiting the login attempts. All you need is a plugin like Login Lockdown.

This plugin will lock down an IP address for a particular time of period if it suspects false login attempts.

By taking this Wrodpress security step you enhance your WordPress website security a step further.

Step 3: Backup your files regularly

Your website is hacked and you have lost your all necessary website data.

This above sentence is enough to speed up any webmaster’s heart beat if he has no backup of his website data.

As soon as you lost your data, your dream shattered to make money online or whatever dream you have with your website.

On the other hand, if you do have a regular backup then you could be ready to fight with any types of potential attacks.

And you can start your website without having any problem, no matter how hard hackers try to stop you.

There are several tools and plugins you can use to backup your files:

• Vaultpress
• Blogvault
• Updraftplus
• Backup to Dropbox
• BackupBuddy
• Backup Creator

You can pick any one of them, if you want my suggestion, I would recommend BackupBuddy, it will take care of your all WordPress backup needs.

Step 4: Scan at Regular Basis

You might already know that ‘offence is the best policy than defense‘.

So, it is critical to your WordPress website security that you should have something that scans your web-site at a regular basis.

You will be a step ahead of hackers if you will regularly scan your web-site for malware attack.

Sucuri is the most recommended malware scanning software that takes care of your website from possible malware attacks.

It warns you if it sense any possibility of hacking, so you can take required action to stop hacking.

There are also other option available if you want you can see them too.

Here are some favorites of webmasters:

1- iTheme Security

• More than thirty ways to enhance website security
• Monitoring system for bot and any file modifications
• Pro version available

2- All in One WP Security & Firewall

• Check for vulnerable user login information
• Multiple login protection highlights
• Custom setting available
• Checks corrupt files

3- BulletProof Security

• Login Monitoring and Security
• Complete Database backups
• Custom Database setting available
• Update Pro version for additional features

4- Wordfence Security

• Most downloaded WordPress security plugin (More than 800,000 installs and still active)
• Source code scan for potential threat
• Two-layer authentication
• Strong password facility

5- Sucuri Security

• Enabled with best WordPress security
• Malware scanning
• Conceal your WordPress version
• Restrict file access through .htaccess

Step 5: Choose hosting wisely

As you already know that 8% of WordPress website get hacked because of a weak password.

But what about the other 92% hacked sites, how hackers get them?

Maybe it because of vulnerable plugins and themes. But it would not be more than 22% to 29%.

Rest of the 41% attack become successful because of poor security on the server-side.

So, you shouldn’t be surprised if I would say that choosing the right hosting platform should be your primary concern in order to keep your website safe from hacking.

You should select a hosting provider that regularly updates their infrastructure and keeps security up-to-date.

Final Thoughts!

As a blogger, you do hard work and spend a lot of time to fulfill your dream.

You wouldn’t want that just because of WordPress website security your dream get shattered.

Starting a blog on WordPress is easy the hard part is to keep it successfully run. Don’t let the security to come on your way of success.

If you are a beginner WP blogger who wants to provide best WordPress security to the website, you must follow these steps.

What other WordPress security steps, WordPress security plugins or methods you would recommend to save a WordPress website from hackers?