How to improve WordPress Security.
You need to keep your WordPress website safe from malicious attacks. As much as I don’t’ want to say this – but there are horrible people out there that LOVE to hack for fun!!
I have had it happen twice now and it is not fun to fix!!
There are a few things that can help keep your website safe
- You NEED a good WordPress Security Plugin
- Make sure you update your WordPress VERSION as soon as the new one is released
- If your not confident at doing this on your own – we offer email support or we can do this for you
- It should only take 1 hour, including backing up the database and WordPress files, and making sure all your plugins & theme are all compatible.
- Click here for more information on our WordPress Support
- ALWAYS BACKUP – This won’t prevent hackers but it will be a god send if your site does get hacked, so BACKUP your website FILES and DATABASE regularly – before or after any major update!!!!
- I cant stress this ENOUGH!!
- ALWAYS upgrade all your themes and plugins to their newest versions
- If a plugin or theme has not been updated for a long time – then don’t use it. Find an alternative. Search for it in Google!!
- Another preventative is to update your FTP software if you use any or any other web applications you have running on your website
- ALWAYS keep any software up to date.
TIP – The reason why companies update regularly is to fix the security holes in software programs, so updating can stop hackers from accessing vulnerable files.
- NEVER give out your passwords!!
- Give a temporary password to developers or anyone who may require access to your website, then delete this when they have finished
- Change your password frequently
- When you set up WordPress – NEVER use ADMIN as your username
- If you have got admin as your username then change it NOW!!
- It’s easy > Go to USERS and set up a new profile and give it administrators rights > then go back and delete the old profile with the username as admin. Done!!
- NEVER use a weak or obvious password!!
TIP – ALWAYS create passwords with a combination of letters, numbers and special characters where possible.
- Ensure your hosting has security measures in place. If your not sure then contact them and ask them.
We recommend a great WordPress security plugin called Wordfence. Click here to for instructions on how to set it up – WordPress Security Plugin
By Jodi Allbon
Original content 2013
Web Designer/Trainer – Adv Dip, Dip, TAE
Jodi is a qualified WordPress Trainer and Designer with an Advanced Diploma in Digital Media (2D And 3D Animation, Web Development) and a Diploma in Web Development. She has been a Website Trainer at the Northern Beaches Community College since 2008 and a WordPress Tutor for NSW TAFE since 2016.
Jodi has developed several web design courses including, a WordPress Beginners Course and Build your own WordPress Website for small businesses. These courses will teach you how to update and manage your website ongoing. Giving website owners more control over their website, thus helping to keep costs down.
View Jodi’s credentials here.
