With over 43% of all websites running on WordPress, and Every 39 seconds, hackers attack a WordPress website.
WordPress has become the biggest target for cybercriminals worldwide. From small personal blogs to major corporate sites, no WordPress installation is immune to threats like malware infections, brute force attacks, and data breaches that can destroy years of hard work in minutes.
However, WordPress security isn’t rocket science. With the right strategies and tools, you can secure your website and keep hackers at bay.
This blog will walk you through proven methods to secure your WordPress site, from basic hardening techniques to advanced protection strategies that even security professionals use.
1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated
One of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of WordPress security is maintaining updated software. Outdated WordPress installations are like leaving your front door wide open with a welcome mat for hackers.
2. Enforce Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Weak passwords are a hacker’s dream. Many WordPress breaches stem from simple or reused passwords like “admin123.” Strengthen your defenses by using complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Tools like LastPass can generate and manage these securely.
Pair this with two-factor authentication (2FA) using plugins like Wordfence, available on UltaHost’s WordPress hosting plans, which adds a second verification step, such as a mobile app code.
UltaHost’s secure admin panels also support 2FA, ensuring only authorized users access your site, blocking nearly all brute force login attempts.
3. Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated
Outdated software is a top entry point for hackers. According to a Sucuri report 60% of WordPress hacks targeted outdated plugins. UltaHost’s managed WordPress hosting simplifies this by offering automatic updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
For manual updates, check your WordPress dashboard regularly and test changes on a staging environment, a feature UltaHost provides to prevent disruptions. Keeping everything current patches known vulnerabilities, ensuring your site stays secure.
4. Choose UltaHost for Secure Hosting
Your hosting provider is your first line of defense. UltaHost’s WordPress hosting includes built-in security features like DDoS protection, server-side firewalls, and free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, ensuring encrypted connections.
Unlike shared hosting, UltaHost’s WordPress hosting reduces cross-site attack risks. Our malware scanning and removal tools, included in premium plans, actively monitor your site, making it harder for hackers to exploit server vulnerabilities.
5. Limit Login Attempts to Thwart Brute Force Attacks
Brute force attacks involve bots guessing login credentials thousands of times. UltaHost’s hosting includes IP blocking for suspicious activity, but you can enhance this with plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to cap failed login tries.
For example, block an IP after three failed attempts. UltaHost’s Web Application Firewall (WAF) further filters malicious traffic, stopping attacks before they reach your login page, reducing server strain and boosting security.
6. Harden WordPress Configuration
Default WordPress settings, like the “wp-admin” login URL or exposed database prefixes, are easy targets. Change the login URL with WPS Hide Login and disable directory browsing by adding “Options -Indexes” to your .htaccess file.
UltaHost’s file management tools make these tweaks straightforward. Also, modify the default “wp_” database prefix during setup or use iThemes Security. UltaHost’s secure server configurations support these changes, minimizing exposure to common exploits.
7. Implement Regular Backups with UltaHost
A breach can wipe out your data, but backups are your safety net. UltaHost’s WordPress hosting includes automated daily backups stored securely offsite, ensuring you can restore your site quickly.
Plugins like UpdraftPlus, compatible with UltaHost’s cloud storage integrations, let you schedule backups to services like Google Drive. Test backups regularly to confirm they work. With UltaHost, you’re always one click away from recovering your site to a pre-attack state.
8. Scan for Malware with UltaHost’s Tools
Malware can lurk undetected, compromising your site’s integrity. UltaHost’s hosting plans include malware scanning and removal, automatically detecting and neutralizing threats.
Complement this with plugins like Sucuri Security for real-time file monitoring and alerts. Schedule weekly scans and review reports to catch issues early. UltaHost’s proactive monitoring ensures your site stays clean, protecting your reputation and SEO rankings.
9. Restrict User Permissions
Every user account is a potential vulnerability. Assign the least privilege necessary—use “Editor” roles for content creators, not “Administrator.” Regularly audit accounts in the WordPress dashboard and delete inactive users.
UltaHost’s hosting dashboard simplifies user management, while plugins like User Role Editor fine-tune permissions. This reduces the risk of compromised accounts, especially on multi-user sites.
10. Secure File Permissions and wp-config.php
Improper file permissions can let hackers alter critical files. Set files to 644 and directories to 755 on UltaHost’s secure servers. Protect the wp-config.php file, which holds database credentials, by adding a .htaccess rule: “ order allow,deny deny from all .” UltaHost’s file manager makes this easy, ensuring sensitive files stay locked down from unauthorized access.
11. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your site. UltaHost’s WordPress hosting integrates WAF protection, blocking SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. For added control, use plugins like Wordfence, which syncs with UltaHost’s infrastructure to stop threats in real-time. This layered defense ensures your site remains accessible to legitimate users while repelling attackers.
12. Enable HTTPS with UltaHost’s Free SSL
Unencrypted connections expose data to interception. UltaHost provides free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, enabling HTTPS to secure user data and boost SEO. Install the certificate through UltaHost’s control panel and use plugins like Really Simple SSL to enforce HTTPS site-wide. This ensures all traffic is encrypted, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and customer details.
13. Disable XML-RPC to Prevent Exploits
XML-RPC, a WordPress feature for remote access, is often exploited for brute force attacks. Disable it by adding “add_filter(‘xmlrpc_enabled’, ‘__return_false’);” to your theme’s functions.php file or using a plugin like iThemes Security.
UltaHost’s server-level firewalls also block suspicious XML-RPC requests, reducing the risk of this outdated feature being used against your site.
14. Monitor Site Activity Logs
Tracking user activity helps spot unauthorized access early. Plugins like WP Activity Log record login attempts, file changes, and user actions. UltaHost’s hosting includes server-side logging, accessible via their control panel, to monitor suspicious behavior. Regularly review logs to detect anomalies, such as unexpected admin logins, and act swiftly to secure your site.
15. Secure Your Database
Your WordPress database stores critical site data, making it a prime target. Use strong, unique database credentials, stored securely in wp-config.php.
UltaHost’s managed hosting isolates databases to prevent cross-site contamination. Regularly optimize and clean your database with plugins like WP-Optimize to remove outdated revisions, reducing the attack surface.
16. Disable Theme and Plugin Editing
WordPress’s built-in editor allows admins to modify theme and plugin files, but hackers can exploit this if they gain access. Disable it by adding “define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);” to wp-config.php. UltaHost’s secure file system restricts direct access, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized code changes.
17. Use Security Headers
Security headers protect against browser-based attacks like XSS. Add headers like Content-Security-Policy (CSP) and X-Frame-Options via your .htaccess file or plugins like HTTP Headers. UltaHost’s servers support custom header configurations, ensuring your site blocks malicious scripts and prevents clickjacking, enhancing user safety.
18. Educate Your Team with UltaHost Resources
Human error causes many breaches. Train your team to recognize phishing emails, avoid sharing credentials, and report suspicious activity. UltaHost’s customer support offers guides on WordPress security best practices, accessible via their knowledge base. Stay informed by following UltaHost’s blog and X communities for real-time threat updates, empowering your team to be your site’s first defense.
Conclusion
As we said earlier, WordPress security isn’t a one-time setup, it’s an ongoing commitment that requires regular attention and updates. Start by implementing the foundational security measures: keep everything updated, use strong passwords with 2FA, install a reputable security plugin, and set up regular backups.
As you become more comfortable with these basics, gradually implement advanced techniques like file permission hardening, database security measures, and server-level protections. Remember, the goal isn’t to make your site 100% hack-proof (which is impossible), but to make it significantly more difficult and less attractive to attackers than other targets.
