WordPress powers a large percentage of websites globally, with some sources estimating it accounts for over 40% of all sites on the internet. This statistic makes WordPress one of the most dominant players in web development. The platform's popularity stems from its user-friendly interface and the ease with which it allows even non-technical users to create professional websites.

However, with great popularity comes great responsibility—and risk. WordPress's widespread use makes it an attractive target for hackers and cybercriminals. Malware attacks, phishing schemes, and brute-force login attempts are common threats faced by WordPress users.

Despite these challenges, there’s also some good news: by following a few best practices, you can significantly enhance your WordPress website's security and keep your data and visitors safe, even without tons of technical knowledge (if you’re just getting into the world of WordPres). While this guide isn’t an exhaustive list of every security measure available, it’s a strong starting point to fortify your site against real threats.

1. Change the Default wp-admin Login URL

By default, WordPress websites can be accessed via the /wp-admin or /wp-login.php URL. For example, the backend of a website like example.com would be located at example.com/wp-admin. This default setting is well-known, making it an easy target for hackers looking to gain access to your site.

Changing this URL can make your website less predictable and more challenging for hackers to locate. While WordPress doesn’t have a built-in feature to change the login URL, plugins like All In One WP Security & Firewall or WPS Hide Login allow you to customize it effortlessly.

This small tweak can dramatically reduce the risk of automated brute force attacks, as hackers often rely on default settings to exploit vulnerabilities.

2. Avoid Using “Admin” as Your Username

When setting up a WordPress site, the default admin username is often “admin.” This is the first username hackers will try during a brute-force attack, making it crucial to avoid.

Instead, choose a unique username that isn’t easily guessable. For example, you could use a combination of your name and a random number, such as “VKrys_75.” Like any username/password, be creative but make it something you can easily remember.

Equally important is using a strong password. Avoid common passwords like “123456” or “password,” as these are easily cracked. Instead, use a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create a secure password.

Pro tip: Consider using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password to generate and store complex passwords securely. Google also has a “Suggest Strong Password” option during account creation which you could also use.

3. Backup Your Website Regularly

Backups are your safety net. If your website is ever hacked or compromised, having a recent backup ensures you can restore your site quickly without losing critical data.

Plugins like UpdraftPlus make backing up your site simple and efficient. These tools also allow you to store backups on external services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.

It’s a good idea to schedule regular backups—daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on how often you update your site. Always ensure that you have at least one recent backup stored offsite to protect against server-related issues.

4. Keep Your WordPress Installation Updated

WordPress developers, as well as theme and plugin creators, continuously work to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Regular updates ensure your website benefits from the latest security patches and performance improvements.

Outdated software is a significant security risk. Hackers often exploit known vulnerabilities in older versions of WordPress, as well as its themes, and plugins.

To stay secure:

• Enable automatic updates for minor WordPress core updates.

• Manually update major releases, themes, and plugins after testing them on a staging site.

• Regularly review your installed plugins and delete any that are unused or outdated.

Pro tip: Before updating, always ensure you’ve created a backup of your site. This allows you to roll back changes if an update causes compatibility issues.

5. Use a Security Plugin

Adding a security plugin to your WordPress site is like having a vigilant watchdog guarding your files. Security plugins monitor your site for suspicious activity, alert you to potential threats, and provide tools to mitigate risks.

One of the most popular options is WordFence Security. This plugin offers robust features, including:

• Real-time threat detection.

• Alerts for unauthorized file changes.

• IP blocking to prevent repeated login attempts.

Another excellent plugin is Sucuri Security, which provides malware scanning, blacklist monitoring, and security hardening recommendations.

By using a reliable security plugin, you can automate many aspects of website protection, giving you peace of mind while focusing on growing your site.

6. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your login process by requiring users to provide two forms of identification. Typically, this involves entering a password and a code sent to your mobile device.

Plugins like Google Authenticator – WordPress 2FA, OTP SMS and Email make it easy to enable 2FA on your WordPress site.

With 2FA in place, even if a hacker manages to obtain your password, they won’t be able to access your site without the secondary authentication code.

7. Limit Login Attempts

Hackers often use brute-force attacks to guess your username and password. By limiting the number of login attempts allowed, you can effectively thwart these attacks.

Plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or Login LockDown allow you to set a maximum number of failed login attempts before locking out the user. You can also configure these plugins to temporarily block IP addresses that exceed the login attempt limit.

This simple measure makes it significantly harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your site.

8. Use HTTPS and an SSL Certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the data transmitted between your website and its visitors, ensuring sensitive information like login credentials or payment details is secure.

Most hosting providers, such as SiteGround and Bluehost, offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt. Once installed, your site’s URL will display “https://” instead of “http://,” indicating that it’s secure.

In addition to improving security, having HTTPS enabled can boost your site’s SEO rankings, as search engines like Google prioritize secure websites.

9. Disable File Editing

By default, WordPress allows administrators to edit theme and plugin files directly from the dashboard. While this feature is convenient, it can be risky if an unauthorized user gains access to your site.

To disable file editing, add the following line of code to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

This simple tweak prevents malicious users from making changes to your site’s core files through the WordPress admin panel. 

Note: You can add this line of code before the ‘Happy Editing’ text.

10. Monitor User Activity

If multiple users have access to your WordPress site, it’s essential to track their activity. Plugins like WP Activity Log allow you to monitor user actions, such as login attempts, file changes, and plugin updates.

By keeping an eye on user activity, you can quickly identify and address suspicious behavior before it becomes a security issue.

Conclusion

Securing your WordPress website doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. By implementing the steps outlined in this guide—changing the default login URL, using strong usernames and passwords, backing up your site, updating it regularly, and using security plugins—you can significantly reduce your risk of being hacked.

Remember, website security is an ongoing process. Stay proactive, monitor your site regularly, and don’t hesitate to invest in premium tools or services if your website is critical to your business.

With these strategies in place, you’re well on your way to creating a safe and secure WordPress website that you and your visitors can trust.