There are many cybersecurity threats these days, and with those threats, extra protection is needed.
WordPress powers over 40% of websites today, which makes it a major target for attackers. A security breach from an attacker can result in data loss, reputational damage and downtime, especially vulnerabilities in plugins and themes that can also expose your site to risks. Other risks include SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and brute force attacks, which are prevalent threats.
By performing security practices regularly you can prevent this, and make sure your business is protected. This ultimate guide to WordPress security will provide you with basic security practices, advanced security measures, monitoring and response, and securing your hosting among other things.
Whether it’s for personal use, blogs, or your online business it’s strongly advised that you increase your security.
2. Basic Security Practices
Use Strong Passwords
The first step in this process is to make sure all of your WordPress passwords are up-to-date and secure. You should update your password to something much stronger, and this should include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Using these will provide a basic level of security for your account. Make sure you regularly update your password and use a password manager to take care of all your passwords in case of emergency.
Keep Everything Updated
Regular updates are a key part of the security process, this is because out-of-date software is more easily accessible to hackers than the new and updated versions with improved security. You need to update WordPress core, themes, and plugins, as this will help provide basic protection for your WordPress. You can set Updates to happen automatically, which is a convenient way to keep your website protected while getting on with work tasks, admin, or anything else you have on your to-do list.
Backup Regularly
Back-ups are encouraged regularly, this is to save crucial data from being either lost or stolen by hackers. It also advised that you store backups in multiple locations, this is because it makes it harder to access if it is in multiple locations, this includes methods such as cloud storage and local storage. You should also test the backup restoration process to make sure everything is working correctly.
3. Advanced Security Measures
Install a Security Plugin
For those looking to strengthen their data protection then it might be time to consider advanced security measures. Choosing effective security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri, can offer you peace of mind. When you have chosen a program the next step is to adjust the advanced security measures, when doing this you should configure the settings to improve firewall security and scan for vulnerabilities. Regular updates are strongly advised, as this will improve your overall security.
Set Proper File Permissions
- You must set file permissions to 644 for files and 755 for directories to restrict access.
- Make sure that the wp-config.php file has been allowed permissions, specifically the level of 600 for extra security.
- Make sure to regularly review and adjust your file permissions.
Disable Directory Listing
To stop directory browsing add Options- Indexes to your .htaccess file, you must then configure your internet server (e.g. Apache, Nginx) to disable the directory listing. Make sure that you regularly check this server and the configurations to make sure the directory listing is still disabled.
4. Monitoring and Response
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Make sure you enable two-factor authentication on your WordPress account, this is so you do not fall prey to phishing attacks, and password brute force attacks, and enforce weak passwords and accounts against potential attacks. You should implement 2FA using effective Google Authenticator or Authy. You should also implement 2FA for all user logins if you’re part of an organisation. Settings should be regularly updated to maintain efficiency.
Monitor User Activity
Monitoring user activity is a good way to track user activities, especially regularly reviewing logs to detect and respond to suspicious activity. You can even set up alerts for any major changes or unusual login activity. We recommend using the WP Security Audit Log to track people’s activities.
Implement Security Headers
You must update your security headers regularly to confront new vulnerabilities. One way to do this is by configuring your HTTP security headers such as Content-Security-Policy (CSP) and X-Content-Type-Options you can also use tools like securityheaders.com to evaluate your security headers.
5. Securing Your Hosting Environment
Choose a Reputable Host
To have a secure website you need to choose a secure hosting environment, and selecting those with strong security and a good track record is highly recommended. Some of the key indicators of a host’s worth are those with SSL certificates, malware scanning and firewall protection. Consider using managed WordPress hosting services that include strong security features.
6. Protecting Against Specific Threats
SQL Injection
- SQL Injection involves inserting an SQL query via input data from the client to the application.
-
This type of injection allows attackers to:
- Read your database.
- Modify data.
- Execute administrative tasks within the database.
-
To prevent SQL injection:
- Use prepared statements and parameterised queries.
- Validate and sanitise all user inputs to avoid injection vulnerabilities.
- Conduct regular reviews of your website’s security.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Cross-site scripting (XSS) involves injecting malicious scripts into otherwise benign websites.
-
To combat XSS attacks:
- Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP) to prevent malicious scripts from running.
- Sanitise user inputs and use proper escaping for output.
- Regularly update your themes and plugins to fix vulnerabilities.
7. Regular Security Audits
Conduct Security Audits
It’s important to perform regular security audits to address any potential vulnerabilities your WordPress website might have. This can be completed using automated tools and professional services for complete audits.
o keep your WordPress safe and secure you need to remember whether it be basic security practices such as two-factor authentication, updating your passwords regularly or backing up, to more advanced security measures such as installing plugins and conducting audits of your website.
It’s important to keep up with ongoing security efforts, this is a non-negotiable if you want a safe and secure website.
You need to stay up to date about new threats and updates to protect your website, this can be done through engaging with the WordPress community.
Need Help Maintaining Your WordPress Site?
At Fly High Web, we offer WordPress maintenance packages that include peace of mind security checks. Let us help you keep your site secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly. Contact us today for a free consultation!
