WordPress Security: Best Practices to Keep Your Site Safe

WordPress powers over 40% of the web, which unfortunately makes it a prime target for hackers. Securing your WordPress site isn't just a "nice-to-have—it's a necessity. From brute-force attacks to SQL injections, the threats are real.

This guide provides a comprehensive checklist of actionable security best practices to harden your site's defences and keep your data safe.

1. Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

It sounds basic, but "admin" used as a username and "password123" as a password are still common causes of hacks.

• Action: Use a password manager to generate complex passwords.
• Action: Install a 2FA plugin (like Google Authenticator) so that even if a hacker gets your password, they can't log in without your phone.

2. Keep Everything Updated

Outdated software is the #1 vulnerability in WordPress.

• Core: Always update WordPress to the latest version.
• Plugins/Themes: Delete unused plugins and keep active ones updated. A single abandoned plugin can be a backdoor into your site.

3. Limit Login Attempts

By default, WordPress allows users to try logging in an infinite number of times. This invites "brute force" attacks where bots guess millions of passwords.

• Action: Use a plugin like "Limit Login Attempts Reloaded" to lock out IPs after 3-5 failed tries.

4. Use a Security Plugin

Think of this as your site's antivirus. Plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security offer robust protection.

• Firewall (WAF): Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your server.
• Malware Scanning: Regularly checks your files for suspicious code.

5. Change the Default Database Prefix

By default, the WordPress database table prefix is wp_. Hackers know this and use it in SQL injection attacks.

• Action: Change it to something random like wp_73h9_ during installation or use a security plugin to simple rename it.

6. Disable XML-RPC

XML-RPC is an older feature used for remote publishing (e.g., from the WordPress mobile app). It is often exploited for DDoS attacks.

• Action: If you don't use the mobile app or Jetpack, disable XML-RPC via a plugin or your .htaccess file.

Conclusion

Security is not a one-time setup; it is an ongoing process. By implementing these layers of defence—strong authentication, regular updates, and active monitoring—you make your site a fortress that is too difficult for most attackers to bother with.