WordPress is widely recognized as a top content management system for hosting websites. While it’s known for its user-friendliness, if you require swift project completion, you can consider hiring a WordPress developer from Satguru Technologies. Although setting up a WordPress website is straightforward, it’s important to acknowledge that security concerns can raise challenges for both website owners and WordPress developers.
Is your website, built using WordPress, adequately secure?
Are the sensitive details like passwords, credit card information, and personal data of your visitors and customers secure from the escalating threat of cyberattacks? In light of the relentless efforts of hackers, it’s imperative to implement additional security measures to protect your website.
Explore the importance of security in this article and discover some proactive steps you can take to fortify the security of your WordPress website.
Why Does Security Matters for WordPress?
The significance of security for WordPress becomes evident when considering that in the first half of 2021 alone, more than 86 billion password attacks were prevented, and an average of 30,000 new websites were suspected to be compromised daily. This underscores the ongoing vigilance required to secure websites and their valuable data from the relentless efforts of hackers and various types of malware.
The outcome?
In the present day, an unprecedented surge in cyber security attacks is affecting organizations of all sizes, including your own. Surprisingly, only 14% of small businesses WordPress development sites are adequately prepared to defend against the 43% of internet attacks currently targeting them. While hackers often focus on larger enterprises for increased financial gains, small and medium-sized businesses remain vulnerable due to their limited resources and security expertise.
It’s essential to acknowledge that attacks are virtually inevitable. However, if you are not actively maintaining the security of your WordPress development website, recovering from such an incident quickly becomes a challenging task.
The good news is that there are numerous proactive measures you can take to fortify the security of your WordPress development website.
Tips and tricks to protect your WordPress Development Site from security threats
1. Use strong passwords and secure logins
Many people still rely on common and easily guessable passwords like “123@abc” or “12ab34cd,” which should be avoided at all costs. To enhance the security of your WordPress website, it is essential to use strong passwords. Utilizing password managers is another effective strategy for this purpose. Additionally, consider implementing two-step authentication, which necessitates the use of two devices for logging in.
2. Restrict user permissions
WordPress development websites often involve multiple users, which can heighten the susceptibility of your site to cyber threats. To mitigate security risks, it’s advisable to minimize the number of users with administrative rights. By reducing the user count, you can proactively limit potential security vulnerabilities.
3. Limit user access rights
WordPress websites often have several individuals with access, which can increase vulnerability to online threats. To bolster security, minimize the number of users with administrative rights. By reducing the user count, you can actively mitigate potential security risks.
4. Pick a trustworthy hosting company.
Select a reputable hosting provider When choosing a hosting company, it’s crucial to opt for one that is trustworthy. Inquire about the security measures implemented by the hosting provider and gain insights into how they safeguard your website’s security. Additionally, inquire about their contingency plans in the event of a security breach.
5. Put security plugins in place
To enhance your website’s security, consider implementing one or more security plugins. These tools can assist in scanning your website for potential security vulnerabilities. Many platforms, such as Hubspot CMS, offer built-in malware and threat detection systems. You can also collaborate with a WordPress plugin developer to explore additional security options.
6. Utilize a WordPress theme that adheres to WordPress standards.
Resist the temptation to choose themes solely for their visually appealing aspects. Instead, prioritize WordPress themes that prioritize security. Many of these safe themes can be found in the official WordPress theme repository. Additionally, if you engage our in-house WordPress developer, they can guide you in selecting and customizing secure themes for your content.
7. Purchase SSL certificates.
A significant number of individuals place their trust in the security provided by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates. You can ensure HTTPS redirection by acquiring SSL certificates directly from your hosting provider. HTTPS ensures that the connection to your website is secure and encrypted.
8. Use the most recent WordPress update.
Keep WordPress up to date WordPress routinely releases new versions and updates to address reported bugs and enhance security. Therefore, it’s advisable to consistently use the most recent version of WordPress to ensure the highest level of security. You can simplify this process by enabling the “auto-update” feature, allowing you to stay current with minimal effort.
9. Make a backup
It’s essential to create backups of your website using WordPress. While you may be taking diligent steps to protect your website, the unfortunate reality is that it could still fall victim to a cyberattack. To mitigate the risk of data loss in such scenarios, it’s crucial to have a backup in place.
10. Turn WordPress Monitoring on.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that the WordPress Monitoring plugin can play a significant role in maintaining the security of your WordPress site. This plugin actively monitors activities on your WordPress site and promptly alerts you in the event of any suspicious or questionable activities. This proactive notification allows you to take immediate action when needed to address potential security threats.
11. Monitor User Behavior
Another effective method to maintain the security of your WordPress development site is to keep a close watch on user behavior. You can initiate the process by creating a comprehensive activity log that records all site events. Periodically review this log for any suspicious activities, such as unexpected password changes. Verify the accuracy of any discrepancies and take appropriate actions as needed.
12. Preserve the Wp-Config.php File
The wp-config.php file of your WordPress site holds critical information and is located in the root directory. Ensuring its security is paramount. Consider physically relocating the file and making necessary configuration updates to enhance its protection.
13. Disable File Editing
Once a hacker gains access to an admin account, there’s a substantial risk that they may change the file code. Therefore, a crucial defense against such threats is to deactivate the privilege of file editing.
14. Reassess Directory Permissions
For those utilizing WordPress on shared hosting, it’s important to examine directory permissions. Ensure that directory permissions are configured to “755,” while file permissions can safely remain at “644.” This practice serves as an effective means of safeguarding the entire file system.
15. Activate the website lockdown feature.
Find the source of persistent violent attacks and put an end to them. It is possible to install additional security plugins that lock down the website in the event of continuously persistent harmful attacks like the use of several wrong passwords.
Why is the security of your WordPress site important?
The significance of securing your WordPress site cannot be overstated, especially in today’s landscape where cybersecurity is a pressing concern for all business owners. WordPress sites are not immune to virus attacks, and neglecting cybersecurity measures can lead to vulnerabilities. Critical elements such as outdated plugins, themes, and core software must be regularly addressed to prevent security issues from arising. Furthermore, hackers may insert spammy keywords into your well-ranked pages, which can go unnoticed initially but harm your website’s reputation. Search engine crawlers can identify such SEO spam, posing a significant risk to your business.
To avoid unforeseen circumstances, it is advisable to maintain vigilance from the outset of your site development. Utilize high-quality plugins and adhere to the fundamental principles outlined above to ensure the security of your website. Therefore, before embarking on the development of your WordPress website, it’s crucial to follow the criteria mentioned above and proactively mitigate potential cybersecurity threats.