Tips & Tricks to Enhance Your WordPress Security

Roger Murray

You’ve invested significant time and money to build the perfect website. Congratulations, it is a huge accomplishment! Like so many other ventures before you, this launch is a manifestation of how you currently perceive your brand and the dreams you have for your business. Which is why it would be a nightmare to imagine your organization’s beacon hijacked to exploit potential visitors and jeopardize your reputation.
Unfortunately, this is a harsh reality for far too many organizations. According to security researcher Daniel Cid, at least 15,769 WordPress websites were compromised in 2016 by cyberattacks.
WordPress CMS Usage
 
The mass appeal of WordPress is also the reason it is has become such a coveted target for cybercriminals. So, you should take every action you can to protect your investment through these quick tips and tricks…
Secure Your Login Page
The standard URL for WordPress Admin pages are pretty standardized and well-known, either /wp-login.php or /wp-admin/ at the end of any domain name will get you there. Its why Brute Force Attacks are commonly used.
Brute Force WordPress Attacks
 
We recommend renaming your admin login; if hackers are unable locate the direct URL, they can’t force their way in. We also suggest adding a website lockdown feature for failed login attempts, thus eliminating the ability of success for attacks. Plugins such as iThemes Security are proven and trusted tools for adding an extra layer of protection, including lockouts, strong password enforcement, Google reCAPTCHA Integration, and email notifications to inform you of any failed logins or blocked users.
Keep Your WordPress Updated
The most common culprit behind a successful hack, aside from using admin as your password, is a lack of updating your WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins. WordPress is supported through its developers who frequently push updates. These updates are to rectify bugs and address vulnerabilities through security patches.
You should always keep your site up to date, and it’s much easier than you’d think. When you see the notification in your dashboard, click the update button. Done. You can also have your developer configure automatic updates by adding a few lines of code to your plugins and themes. Just be aware that automatic updates can break your site if you’re running a plugin or theme that is no longer compatible with the latest version.
Other Noteworthy Tips
There are many other things you should consider implementing, including:

  • Routine Backups of Your Site – this will allow quick one-click restore capability.
  • Hide Your WordPress Version – doing so removes potential clues for hackers to exploit known vulnerabilities.
  • Configure Secure Server Connections – only connect your site to the server through SFTP or SSH.
  • Install a Proper Firewall – protection goes beyond WordPress. If your network, or computer is breached, it provides an all-access key for hackers.
  • Limit Users – Rule of thumb should be to only grant access to those who absolutely need it, and even then, only providing the most essential permissions to complete their work.
  • Utilize a Secure Hosting Environment – invest in a secure hosting provider, otherwise all of the other security tips will be for nothing.

Final Thoughts
It’s important to understand when discussing the topic of Security, that it isn’t about creating a guarantee. It is impractical and nearly impossible to maintain such an idyllic concept. Security is more about reducing risk and eliminating vulnerabilities. It’s incorporating industry standards and implementing controls that aid in reducing the odds of your organization becoming a target. No system is hackproof, but by applying these best practices, you will be afforded an extra level of protection against those with malicious intent.
About TSI
Technical Support International (TSI), is a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP) proudly serving IT services to businesses throughout the New England area for over 28 years. To learn how we can take the worry and day-to-day management of your Information Technology, Contact Us today!

Leave a Comment

Share this post

Related Posts

See all posts