WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. Its popularity also makes it a prime target for hackers, who are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit.
If your website is built on WordPress, it’s crucial to take steps to protect it from potential attacks. In this article, we’ll discuss 6 essential steps you can take to hack-proof your WordPress website and keep your data and visitors safe.
Why Is WordPress Vulnerable to Hacking?
Before we dive into the steps to secure your WordPress website, it’s important to understand why it’s vulnerable to hacking in the first place.
Outdated Software
WordPress is an open-source platform, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to view and modify. While this allows for a large community of developers to contribute to its growth, it also means that hackers can easily access the code and find vulnerabilities to exploit.
WordPress regularly releases updates to fix these vulnerabilities, but if you don’t keep your website and plugins up to date, you leave yourself open to attacks.
Weak Passwords
Another common way hackers gain access to WordPress websites is through weak passwords. If you use a simple or easily guessable password, it’s only a matter of time before a hacker gains access to your site.
Third-Party Plugins and Themes
WordPress allows for the use of third-party plugins and themes, which can add functionality and design to your website. However, these plugins and themes may not always be secure, and if you’re not careful about which ones you install, you could be opening your website up to potential attacks.
6 Essential Steps to Hack-Proof Your WordPress Website
Now that we understand why WordPress is vulnerable to hacking, let’s discuss the steps you can take to protect your website.
1. Keep Your WordPress and Plugins Up to Date
As mentioned earlier, WordPress regularly releases updates to fix vulnerabilities in its code. It’s crucial to keep your WordPress version and all plugins up to date to ensure your website is protected.
You can easily update your WordPress version and plugins through the WordPress dashboard. Make sure to check for updates regularly and install them as soon as they become available.
2. Use Strong Passwords
One of the simplest ways to protect your WordPress website is by using strong passwords. Avoid using common words or phrases, and instead, use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
You can also use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords for your website. This will ensure that you don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, which can leave you vulnerable to attacks.
3. Limit Login Attempts
By default, WordPress allows users to make unlimited login attempts, which means a hacker can keep trying different combinations of usernames and passwords until they gain access. To prevent this, you can use a plugin to limit the number of login attempts allowed.
This will lock out users after a certain number of failed attempts, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your website.
4. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress website. It requires users to enter a unique code, usually sent to their phone or email, in addition to their password to log in.
This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to your website, even if they have your password. You can use a plugin like Google Authenticator to enable 2FA on your WordPress website.
5. Be Careful with Third-Party Plugins and Themes
As mentioned earlier, third-party plugins and themes can add functionality and design to your website. However, not all of them are secure, and installing the wrong ones can leave your website vulnerable to attacks.
Before installing a plugin or theme, make sure to research it and read reviews from other users. You can also check the plugin or theme’s update history to see how frequently it’s updated and if any security issues have been addressed.
6. Use a Security Plugin
There are many security plugins available for WordPress that can help protect your website from attacks. These plugins offer features like malware scanning, firewall protection, and brute force attack prevention.
Some popular security plugins include Wordfence, Sucuri Security, and iThemes Security. Do some research to find the best security plugin for your website’s needs.
What to Do If Your WordPress Website Is Hacked
Despite your best efforts, there’s always a chance that your WordPress website could still be hacked. If this happens, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage.
1. Change All Passwords
The first step is to change all passwords associated with your website, including your WordPress login, hosting account, and any other accounts that may have been compromised.
2. Restore from a Backup
If you have a recent backup of your website, you can restore it to a previous version before the hack occurred. This will remove any malicious code and restore your website to its previous state.
3. Scan for Malware
You can use a malware scanning plugin or a third-party service to scan your website for any malicious code. If any is found, make sure to remove it immediately.
4. Harden Your Website’s Security
After your website has been hacked, it’s important to take extra precautions to prevent it from happening again. This may include changing your login URL, implementing stricter password requirements, and using a security plugin.
Conclusion
WordPress is a popular and powerful CMS, but its popularity also makes it a prime target for hackers. By following these 6 essential steps, you can protect your WordPress website from potential attacks and keep your data and visitors safe.
Remember to keep your WordPress and plugins up to date, use strong passwords, limit login attempts, enable two-factor authentication, be careful with third-party plugins and themes, and use a security plugin. And if your website does get hacked, act quickly to minimize the damage and take extra precautions to prevent it from happening again.
