How to Secure a WordPress Website? – Host.co.in
No matter if it is a WordPress website or other CMS website; one should take some basic steps to make their website safe and secure. Recently, many attacks have taken place compromising sensitive data from the web. It has become important to secure your website and that is why CIOs’ topmost priority is security.
Let’s see some of the basic steps to protect your website from attacks
Steps to safeguard a WordPress Website
Change the username
When you create a WordPress website, the default username is “admin”. Most of the people keep this as the username and don’t change it. Eventually, it becomes easier for hackers to guess it. They are almost close to logging in to your website. So, it is recommended to change your username.
If the username “admin” is the only user having administrator-level access, then you won’t be able to make the changes. You will have to create and log in from another administrator-level account. WordPress has to make sure that there is some other way out wherein administrator’s functions of your website can be accessed.
Strong Password
Hackers often use software to instantly examine each word in Wikipedia against the password set for your WordPress account. So, don’t set the password that is very easy to guess. Something that is very logical or a logical combination of words or numbers should be avoided. Don’t use your name, your birthday, your pet’s name etc. which the attacker can easily guess.
Use of random arrangement of lowercase and uppercase also with numbers and symbols are regarded as best passwords. Password generator can help you do this. Don’t forget to save your passwords in a safe and secure place.
Delete and Update
It has been witnessed that WordPress is insecure. It becomes insecure if your website is outdated. If any of your plugins are not regularly updated then it poses a great threat. Attackers find a way to your website through outdated plugins and vulnerabilities or themes.
Make sure to make your website updated to the latest versions of
- WordPress
- Installed themes
- Installed Plugins
If you are not using some plugins or themes then better delete them. As they become outdated, they can create susceptibilities further creating security risks.
Reduce Login Attempts
Attackers try a different combination of passwords a lot of times until they get the right one. Attackers use software wherein they can use an infinite number of password combinations and keep on trying until they get it right. That is why way back in 2013, brute force attacks were successful in corrupting so many WordPress websites.
There are different plugins available that can help you to reduce the number of login attempts. Limit Login Attempts is one such plugin which helps to limit login attempts.
The above measures are not full proof. These are just some basic steps which one should protect their website from their end. More security measures can be taken and some are provided from the hosting providers as well, provided you choose a good and a reliable hosting provider.