What initially started as a blogging tool now has turned into the most popular CMS tool. The fact that WordPress is easy to use and is flexible enough to create different types of websites makes it the best website building tool. That explains why it powers about 40% of the worldwide web. However, many WordPress owners worry about its safety and security. If that is one of your worries, this article is for you. Keep reading to find ways to keep your WordPress site safe and secure.
Since WordPress is an open-source software, website owners think that it is more vulnerable to security attacks. Moreover, some think that WordPress has a weak security system.
None of this is true. In fact, the in-build safety and security features of WordPress are much more secure than the content management systems. Hence, with simple WordPress premium support, you can ensure the safety and security of your WordPress site.
Cyber-attacks and security breaches can damage your website and severely undermine your SEO efforts. Hence, it is important to keep tight security.
However, it is important to keep in mind that keeping a safe and secure WordPress website is not a one-time job. You’d have to run regular safety checks and scan for security breaches.
This being said, let’s find out how you can-
Keep your WordPress website safe and secure by following these simple steps
# Go of reliable hosting
After making a WordPress site, hosting is the primary concern. However, it is generally difficult to tell if your host takes your security seriously enough or not. This is usually only revealed when it’s too late. Therefore, make sure to work with only reliable hosts. Now, that’s going to be a lot of research. If you are looking for quick answers, Kinsta, Flywheel, SiteGround are some of the safest hosting services.
# Strong password and username
Having a strong password is a basic step to ensure security. Surprisingly, many website owners don’t take it seriously enough. You will be surprised to know that ‘123456’ is the most common password. Hence, password cracking is a common cyber-attack.
To prevent your website from such attacks, it is important to keep strong usernames and passwords. Below are some of the things you can do-
- Keep it unique
- Avoid simple words
- Try including special characters & numbers
The more complex you keep it, the better. However, understandably, it can be a bit hard to remember such a password and username. But it is worth it to keep your website safe.
# Keep updating themes and plugins
Generally, WordPress automatically install minor updates. However, for major updates, you have to do it manually.
When talking about ways to keep your WordPress website safe, this is one important point to take care of. Outdated themes and plugins can weaken your security system. Therefore, it is crucial to keep updating your themes and plugins.
However, major updates need to be initiated manually. Therefore, you’ll need to keep looking for such updates and initiate them yourself.
# Disable file editing
The built-in code editor of WordPress allows admins to edit themes and plugins. If a hacker manages to get access to the admin area of your website, this feature can pose a security threat. Therefore, you need to turn this feature off.
This is done with the help of the following code:
// Disallow file edit
define( ‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true );
You will have to add it in the wp-config.php file.
However, there is a simpler way of doing this. Security plugins like Sucuri have hardening features using which you can disable file editing.
# Enable WAF
WAF is an acronym for Web Application Firewall. It monitors, filters, and blocks malicious traffic even before it reaches the website.
Below are some of the best firewall applications-
- Imperva WAF
- Citrix WAF
- Cloudflare WAF
- AWS WAF
- SiteLock
Through their cloud proxy servers, DNS level firewall applications make sure that only genuine traffic reaches your web server. Whereas, the application-level firewall examines traffic after it reaches your web server but before the WordPress script loads. Hence, it is a bit less efficient than the other. This difference is important to understand before deciding the right WAF for your website.
# Get a backup solution
No security system is full proof. Whatever steps you take to ensure the safety of your website, it can still get hacked. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for such a scenario.
When your website is under attack, your database is in the most danger. To make sure that you can recover a majority of your data, it is important to have a backup.
Hence, if you don’t have a backup solution for your database yet, it’s time you do.
# Install a security plugin
To make sure that your security measures are actually working, you need an instrument for monitoring. Or else, all your measures and effort would be good for nothing.
Therefore, you need a security plugin for effective website protection. Below are some of the plugins you can use:
- Sucuri
- Jetpack Security
- Wordfence
- BulletProof Security
- Google Authenticator
This way, you will be able to maintain a smooth functioning and safe website.
# Sort to professionals
Maintaining a sound security system is quite a task. It can be time-consuming and takes considerable effort. If you think you can’t perform the tasks above, you can always outsource WordPress support.
This way, you will be able to maintain an effective and safe WordPress site without burdening yourself too much.
Final Word
About 40% of the websites are powered by WordPress. This makes it the most popularly used content management system. Since it is an open-source software, website safety and security are one of the main concerns. But maintaining a safe and secure website with the help of the right software applications is quite easy. Moreover, there are also certain DIY ways to do that. Another important thing to do is to run regular safety checks. This way you will be able to spot security breaches before it’s too late. However, there is no method that can ensure 100% safety. That’s why you should make sure that your database is regularly backed-up.
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