WordPress powers over 40% of websites worldwide, making it a prime target for hackers. Securing WordPress is not optional: protecting your WordPress site is essential to safeguard data and prevent attacks. In this article, we share 8 essential tips to secure your WordPress site, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced webmaster.
1. Regularly Check for Updates to Secure Your WordPress Site
The WordPress core, along with themes and plugins, frequently releases updates to fix security vulnerabilities. Ignoring these updates exposes your WordPress site to potential attacks. To properly secure WordPress, it is crucial to keep your installation fully up to date.
👉 Tip:
Enable automatic updates and always perform a full backup before major updates to protect your WordPress site.
2. Install a Security Plugin to Protect WordPress
A WordPress security plugin is your first line of defense against attacks. Tools like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri help block suspicious login attempts and scan your files for malware.
✅ Pro tip:
Enable email alerts to receive immediate notifications about suspicious activity and keep your WordPress site secure.
3. Use Only Official Themes and Plugins
Downloading themes or plugins from unofficial sources is extremely risky, as they may contain malicious code. To secure your WordPress site, only use themes and plugins from the official WordPress.org repository or trusted developer websites.
💡 Avoid at all costs: “nulled” (pirated) plugins and themes—they are one of the leading causes of infected WordPress sites.
4. Remove Unused Themes and Plugins
Every installed theme or plugin increases your WordPress site’s attack surface. Even if disabled, unused plugins may still contain vulnerabilities. To secure WordPress, remove anything you’re not actively using to reduce risks and improve site performance.
5. Change the Login URL to Secure WordPress
By default, the WordPress login page is located at /wp-admin or /wp-login.php, which is well known to attackers. Changing this URL makes it harder for hackers to access your site and strengthens WordPress security.
For even stronger protection, combine this technique with tools like WPScan to identify potential vulnerabilities.
🔒 Tip:
Use a plugin such as WPS Hide Login to customize your login URL (e.g., /private-access) and reinforce WordPress security.
6. Remove the Default “admin” Account
The default “admin” username is a primary target for brute-force attacks. Create a new administrator account and delete the default one. This simple step significantly improves WordPress security.
⚙️ Bonus tip:
Always use a unique username and a strong password containing letters, numbers, and symbols to maximize protection.
7. Limit Login Attempts
Brute-force attacks rely on testing thousands of password combinations. Limiting login attempts is an effective way to secure your WordPress site.
✅ Recommended WordPress plugins:
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Limit Login Attempts Reloaded
-
Login LockDown
These plugins help protect your site against repeated login attacks.
8. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even strong passwords can be compromised. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time code generated by apps such as Google Authenticator.
🔐 Tip:
Enable 2FA for all administrator and editor accounts to secure your WordPress site effectively.
Conclusion: Securing Your WordPress Site Is Essential
Securing WordPress does not require advanced technical skills. It’s mainly about discipline, prevention, and best practices. By applying these 8 essential WordPress security tips, you can drastically reduce the risk of hacking and protect both your data and your users.