WordPress is an open-source platform where hundreds of thousands of users share, modify, and grow templates for websites, plugins, and more, but don’t blame WordPress if your site is hacked. To be honest, if your website is hacked, it is entirely your fault! WordPress websites are hacked due to user error or a lack of user protection. Here is this article covered how to protect WordPress Site From Hackers.
There are certain steps you must take as a web designer or website owner to prevent your WordPress site from being hacked, and it is up to you, not WordPress, to implement them. Some of the steps we’ll go over in this article are straightforward and simple to implement, while others will require you to put on your thinking cap, keep an open mind, and trust us.
If you’re wondering, “How do I protect my WordPress site from hackers?” keep reading to find out!
Simply protect your login page
If this step in your WordPress security seems simple and obvious, that’s because it is. Securing your login page does not imply combining your last name with your favorite double-digit number since fourth grade and appending an exclamation point.
Second, there is a standard WordPress URL that is assigned to everyone who has ever logged in to the WordPress login page. A hacker would only need to visit the WordPress backend and login to breach security and gain access to your website. We recommend appending /wp-login.php or /wp-admin/ to the end of your domain name to add some extra padding and beef to your overall login security.
Set up a lockdown feature and use an email login instead
If there are a number of failed login attempts from sources other than your own, a lockdown feature will notify you. With this feature, your website will eventually freeze and go into lockdown mode to save your vital information. Any activity that does not have permission or takes too many attempts to enter will raise an automatic red flag, and you will be notified immediately.
That being said, you’ll want to make sure your information is up to date in order for WordPress to notify you of unauthorized entry. If you use an old business email to receive updates and rarely check that inbox, you should update your information right away. Normally, a paid plugin is installed that will send you a text, but you’ll find out through your host (email) or when you log in yourself.
WordPress also had a great article that suggested that a website owner use their email address instead of a username. According to the article, a username is easily traceable and guessed. If you want to go the extra mile to secure your web domain, use an email address that you regularly check instead of a username.
For added security, use an iThemes plugin
You might want to consider changing your login to your URL, similar to how you changed from a username to an email. As long as you know-how, you can do this quickly and easily. When a hacker receives a direct link URL to your website, he or she has direct access to your platform. In order to circumvent your security measures, some hackers use combination software to try thousands of different logins.
iThemes Security is a plugin that can be downloaded to prevent hackers from accessing your login page. The following are three different login formations that you can use to get the hackers off your case:
- wp-login.php or /wp-login.php?action=register should be replaced with a unique login.
- Replace /wp-admin/ with a unique login of your choice.
It is entirely up to you to create a one-of-a-kind login. If you want to customize your login or simply change it to this is new, you will greatly improve your chances of preventing intruders from accessing your site.
Change your password on a regular basis
Changing your password may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people never change their default password or use a standard login, such as their last name and two-digit year of birth. Even if you have a custom password, it is a good idea to change your password at least once a month.
Keep your wp-admin directory safe
Setting a second wp-admin directory password will simply add another barrier for potential hackers to overcome. Instead of just one password, a locked wp-admin directory forces a hacker to enter a second password that they are unlikely to guess.
If you found this article useful and want to see more like it, make sure to check out our WordPress blog!
Outdated software frequently contains flaws. When WordPress administrators use outdated core, plugins, themes, and other software, security holes are exposed for hackers to exploit. Unfortunately, they do so quite frequently; one of the most common causes of hacked WordPress websites is outdated vulnerable software.
The Most Common Reasons WordPress Sites Are Hacked:
Web hosting that is insecure.
Using Insecure Passwords.
WordPress Admin Unprotected Access
Inadequate File Permissions
WordPress is not being updated.
Plugins and themes are not being updated.
Using plain FTP rather than SFTP/SSH.
Admin is the WordPress username.
To run a WordPress site, you’ll need plugins and themes. Plugins and themes frequently develop vulnerabilities that hackers can use to compromise a website. When they gain access to your website, they engage in a variety of malicious activities such as stealing sensitive information, defrauding customers, and displaying illegal content.
In general, WordPress plugins are safe. Some plugins, however, may pose security risks. These risks can be reduced by performing basic due diligence prior to installing any plugin, as well as by installing updates on a regular basis.
WordPress is secure as long as website owners take website security seriously and adhere to best practices. Using safe plugins and themes, following responsible login procedures, using security plugins to monitor your site, and updating on a regular basis are all best practices.
Here’s a rundown of the steps you should take if your website has been hacked:
Passwords should be reset.
Plugins and themes should be updated.
Remove any users who should not be there.
Unwanted files should be removed.
Organize your sitemap.
Reinstall plugins and themes, as well as the WordPress core.
If necessary, purge your database.
Make contact with your hosting provider. Not only could your website have been hacked, especially if you do not rent your own server and instead use shared hosting. Notify the administrators and request that they investigate the hacking. Inform your users that your website has been hacked and encourage them to change their passwords.
