As a WordPress site owner, you have a responsibility to keep your site secure. There are many ways to do this, but some basic cybersecurity measures should be at the top of your list. Here are 11 of the most important things you can do to keep your WordPress site safe.
#1 – Be Careful About Phonecalls
If you list your phone number on your WordPress site, you may start receiving strange phone calls from unfamiliar numbers. These could be automated “robocalls” or real people trying to scam you. Either way, it’s best to be cautious about answering calls from numbers you don’t recognize.
If you must list a phone number on your site, consider using a service like Google Voice, which will give you a separate, disposable number to use. You can also use a service that will allow you to see who has called you after the fact.
#2 – Regularly Check for and Install Plugin Updates
As a WordPress site owner, it’s important to regularly check for and install plugin updates. Not only do new versions of plugins often contain security fixes, but they also keep your site compatible with the latest version of WordPress. A good habit to get into is to check your dashboard daily for such updates. If you see that WordPress is indicating that you need to update a plugin, take the time to do so right away.
Another good reason to keep your plugins up-to-date is that old versions can often become incompatible with newer versions of WordPress. This can lead to errors on your site, or even prevent it from loading altogether. So keeping your plugins updated helps to ensure that your site will continue to function properly.
#3 – Use Strong Passwords
Using strong passwords is one of the most important measures you can take to secure your WordPress site. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessed words or phrases like “password” or your name. It’s also a good idea to use a different password for each of your online accounts.
If you’re having trouble coming up with a strong password, you can use a password generator like LastPass or 1Password. These tools will create a random, secure password for you. You can then store the passwords in a safe place so that you don’t have to remember them all yourself.
#4 – Keep Your WordPress Core Up-to-Date
Just like with plugins, it’s important to keep your WordPress core up-to-date. New versions of WordPress are released regularly and often contain security fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered. So keeping your site updated helps to protect it from being hacked.
To update WordPress, log into your dashboard and go to the Updates section. If a new update is available, you’ll see a notice telling you to update. simply click the Update Now button and WordPress will take care of the rest.
#5 – Use a Security Plugin
Adding an extra layer of security to your WordPress site is always a good idea. One way to do this is to use a security plugin like Sucuri or Wordfence. These plugins add features like malware scanning, firewalls, and user activity logging to your site. They also help to block malicious traffic and keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
Installing a security plugin is a good way to give yourself some peace of mind knowing that your site is being actively protected.
#6 – Don’t Use “Admin” as Your Username
One of the first things a hacker will try to do is guess your username so that they can log into your WordPress site. If you’re using the default “admin” username, then it’s very easy for them to guess. So it’s important to change your username to something that is difficult to guess.
To change your username, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to the Users section. From there, simply click on the edit link next to your username and enter a new one. Be sure to use a strong password as well.
#7 – Use Two-factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that can be added to your WordPress site. It works by requiring you to enter not only your password but also a code that is sent to your phone or email. This makes it much more difficult for a hacker to gain access to your site, even if they know your password.
There are a few different WordPress plugins that offer two-factor authentication, such as Two Factor Auth and WP Security key. Simply install one of these plugins and follow the instructions to set it up.
#8 – Regular Backups
No matter how well you secure your WordPress site, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong. That’s why it’s important to regularly back up your site. This way, if your site is ever hacked or experiences an error, you can simply restore it from a backup.
There are a few different WordPress plugins that can help you automate the backup process, such as UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy. Simply install one of these plugins and follow the instructions to set up your backups. Be sure to store your backups in a safe place, like an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
#9 – Limit Login Attempts
If a hacker is trying to guess your password, you can limit the number of login attempts they have. This way, even if they know your password, they won’t be able to log into your site.
There are a few different WordPress plugins that offer this feature, such as Limit Login Attempts and WP Limit Login Attempts. Simply install one of these plugins and follow the instructions to set up login limits.
#10 – Use SSL/HTTPS
If you’re not already using SSL/HTTPS on your WordPress site, then you should start. This will help to protect your site from being hacked and will also give your visitors some peace of mind knowing that their information is safe. You should also learn the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.Â
To add SSL/HTTPS to your WordPress site, you’ll need to purchase an SSL certificate and then install it on your server. You can typically do this through your web host. Once you have SSL installed, be sure to enable it in your WordPress settings.
#11 – Use a Spam Plugin
Spam comments can be a pain to deal with, but they can also be used to hack your WordPress site. That’s why it’s important to use a spam plugin like Akismet or Antispam Bee. These plugins help to filter out spam comments so that they never reach your site.
Installing a spam plugin is a good way to keep your site secure and protect yourself from potential attacks. It is also a good way to protect your site users. If you have customers or subscribers who are active in your comment sections and they are exposed to malicious links left by spammers, it could damage your reputation.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many measures you can take to secure your WordPress site. Be sure to implement as many of these measures as possible to help keep your site safe from hackers. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Taking a few extra steps to secure your site now could save you a lot of headache down the road.
