WordPress security: best practices and security tools.

1. Don’t skip updates!

Regular updates are a fundamental security rule. WordPress, plugins and themes are regularly updated to eliminate security vulnerabilities. Failing to update your software regularly leaves the door open to hackers.

• Automatic updates: You can configure automatic updates so you don’t have to worry about manually downloading new versions.
• Testing updates: Before deploying updates to the live site, test them in a development environment to ensure they do not cause any issues.

2. Strong passwords are essential.

Passwords are the first line of defence against unauthorised access. Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) increases security.

How can you check if your password is strong enough?

• Password generator: Use a password generator to create complex passwords.
• Password manager: Using a password manager makes it easier to manage your passwords and ensures that each one is unique.
• 2FA plugins: Install a plugin that allows you to add two-factor authentication to the WordPress admin panel.

3. Brute Force – the most common type of hacking attack on CMS tools

Brute force attacks are attempts to guess a password by automatically searching through all possible combinations. To protect yourself against them:

• Limit the number of login attempts: Plugins such as Limit Login Attempts allow you to limit the number of login attempts, which reduces the risk of a successful brute force attack.
• CAPTCHA: Add a CAPTCHA test to login forms to prevent bots from attacking the site.

4. Use ONLY trusted plugins and themes.

Installing plugins and themes only from trusted sources is another step towards improving security.

How can you check their reliability?

• Trusted sources: Download plugins and themes only from the official WordPress repository or from reputable developers.
• Regular audits: Regularly check your installed plugins and themes for updates and remove those you no longer use.

6. Security plugins

There are many plugins that can help secure your WordPress site.

• Wordfence: A comprehensive security plugin offering, amongst other things, a firewall, malware scanning, protection against brute force attacks and much more.
• Sucuri Security: A tool that monitors changes to your site, blocks malicious attacks and offers a web application firewall.
• iThemes Security: This plugin offers a range of security features, such as file change detection, protection against brute force attacks, and the ability to hide the login page.

7. Regular backups – they’ll come in handy in emergencies!

Backups are your last line of defence. Regular backups allow you to quickly restore your site after an attack.

• Automating backups: Use plugins such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to create backups automatically.
• Off-server storage: Ensure that backups are stored on external servers or in the cloud to guarantee access in the event of a main server failure.

8. Security Monitoring and Auditing

Regular monitoring of your website’s security allows for the early detection of potential threats.

• Log monitoring: Regularly review server and WordPress logs to detect suspicious activity.
• Security audit: Carry out regular security audits to check that all settings are optimal and in line with best practices.

We can also help you secure your resources properly!

If you need help securing your WordPress site, we’re here to help!

We have been working with WordPress for over 6 years and have completed over 100 projects for our clients. We have the experience and expertise to effectively secure your website, taking care of every detail. Contact us to find out more and ensure the security of your website!