WordPress is one of the world’s most popular content management systems, with millions of websites relying on its platform. However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for hackers and cyberattacks. WordPress security is crucial to protect your website from potential threats. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 5 WordPress security mistakes you must avoid and provide best practices for securing your website. So, if you’re a WordPress user, it’s important to read on and learn how to keep your website safe and secure.
Top 5 WordPress Security Mistakes
Not keeping WordPress updated
Keeping your WordPress site updated is essential for maintaining its security, that’s why we’ve listed the usage of outdated WordPress versions first on the list of the most common WordPress security mistakes. WordPress constantly releases updates containing bug fixes, security patches, and new features, so you are leaving it vulnerable to attacks by not updating your site.
To update WordPress, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Click on the Updates menu item in the left-hand sidebar
- Click the “Update Now” button
- Wait for the update process to finish
If you have any plugins or themes that need updating, you can update them on the same page. Just click on the “Update Plugins” or “Update Themes” button, respectively. It’s important to remember that before updating, you should back up your website to avoid data loss in case something goes wrong during the update process.
By keeping your WordPress site up-to-date, you can ensure that it is protected against known vulnerabilities and security threats.
Using weak login credentials
Using strong login credentials comes next on the list of the most common WordPress Security Mistakes. Using strong login credentials is essential to protect your WordPress website from unauthorized access. Hackers often use automated tools that can quickly crack weak passwords, allowing them to gain access to your site and cause all sorts of problems. To avoid this, it’s important to use strong login credentials, such as a strong password and two-factor authentication.
Here are some tips for creating strong passwords:
- Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Use a long password, at least 12 characters.
- Avoid using personal information, such as your name, birthdate, or address.
- Avoid using common words or phrases, such as “password” or “123456”.
In addition to using a strong password, it’s important to enable two-factor authentication on your WordPress site. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires users to provide an additional piece of information beyond a password to access their accounts. This can be a verification code sent to your phone, a fingerprint scan, or a physical token.
Enabling two-factor authentication on your WordPress site is easy. There are several plugins available, such as Google Authenticator, which can be installed and set up in just a few minutes. By doing so, you can ensure that only authorized users have access to your site, even if a hacker somehow manages to crack your password.
Not backing up your website
Website backups are essential for WordPress security. Backing up your website regularly ensures that you have a recent copy of your site’s content and data in case of an unexpected event, such as a hack, a server crash, or a human error. Without backups, you risk losing everything you’ve worked on.
To back up your WordPress website, follow these steps:
- Install a backup plugin: There are many backup plugins available for WordPress, such as UpdraftPlus, Jetpack, and VaultPress. Choose a backup plugin that suits your needs and install it on your site.
- Configure the backup settings: Once you’ve installed a backup plugin, you’ll need to configure its settings. This will include things like how often to back up your site, where to store the backup files, and what files to include in the backup.
- Create your first backup: After you’ve configured the backup settings, you can create your first backup. This process may take some time, depending on the size of your website.
- Test the backup: Once the backup is complete, it’s a good idea to test it to make sure it was successful. You can do this by restoring the backup on a test server or a staging environment.
It’s important to schedule regular backups of your website, depending on how frequently you update your content. This will help you ensure that you always have a recent copy of your website and can restore it quickly in case of a security breach or other issues.
Installing unreliable or outdated plugins
One of the biggest security risks for WordPress websites is unreliable or outdated plugins. These plugins can be used by hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in your site and gain unauthorized access. It’s important to choose reliable and up-to-date plugins and to keep them updated.
Here are some tips for choosing reliable and up-to-date plugins:
- Read reviews and ratings: Before installing a plugin, read its reviews and ratings. Look for plugins that have a high rating and many positive reviews.
- Check the developer’s reputation: Check the plugin developer’s reputation by researching them online. Make sure they have a good track record of developing reliable and secure plugins.
- Look for active development: Choose plugins that are actively being developed and updated. This ensures that any security vulnerabilities are identified and fixed quickly.
To update plugins, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard
- Click on the Plugins menu item in the left-hand sidebar
- Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to update
- Click the “Update” button
WordPress will then automatically update the selected plugins.
By choosing reliable and up-to-date plugins and keeping them updated, you can minimize the risk of your WordPress website being compromised by security vulnerabilities.
Neglecting basic security measures
Neglecting basic security measures can also leave your WordPress website vulnerable to cyberattacks. Some of the basic security measures that you should implement include:
- Changing the default “admin” username: One of the first things a hacker will try is to log in using the default “admin” username. Change the default username to something else to make it harder for hackers to gain access.
- Using SSL/TLS encryption: SSL/TLS encryption ensures that data sent between your website and your users is secure and can’t be intercepted by hackers. Install an SSL/TLS certificate on your website to enable encryption.
- Limit login attempts: Limit the number of login attempts to your website to prevent brute force attacks. You can use plugins to limit login attempts and block IP addresses after a certain number of failed attempts.
By implementing these basic security measures, you can greatly improve the security of your WordPress website and reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
WordPress security mistakes – Final thoughts
By avoiding these WordPress security mistakes, you can greatly improve your website’s security. Keep WordPress updated to ensure you have the latest security patches and features. Use strong login credentials and enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access. Regularly back up your website to protect against data loss and quickly restore your site in case of an attack. Choose reliable and up-to-date plugins and implement basic security measures, such as changing the default “admin” username, using SSL/TLS encryption, and limiting login attempts.
By taking these steps to improve the security of your WordPress website, you can reduce the risk of cyberattacks and keep your website and its visitors safe.