Here are ten
WordPress security tips that anyone can try. There are some websites that will
give you security advice that includes changing the code of your website. This
is all well and good, until you update your WordPress, or install a plugin, and
a bunch of errors comes up. Or until the time comes when you forget what
changes you have made and have to restart again with a new installation. If you
do decide to make changes to your code, then remember to leave notes for
yourself in the code that you will understand but that your hackers will not
understand.
1 - Change the default username to something customized
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One
of the most common security threats comes through people keeping their default
username. You need to change it to a username of your choosing. The default
usernames are the first ones that hackers try when they are looking to gain
access to your site. Do not make a hackers life any easier than it already is.
2 -
Buy from domain a safe and secure shared host
As a
blogger, you are probably going to buy your web space from a shared host. If
that is the case, you are going to be better off looking for one that takes
good care of its server. You need one that scans the server for malware and
viruses, and one that keeps the server up to date.
3 - Install your WordPress updates as soon as they arrive
The
longer it takes you to install the update then the longer you will be exposed
to threats. For all you know, the update may be a result of hundreds of a hacker
finding a flaw in the WordPress system. Hundreds of websites could have already
been hacked, and the longer you wait to update then the higher the chances that
the hackers will find you.
4 - Increase the strength of your WordPress password
Doing
this will make it harder for hackers, bots and brute force attacks to gain
access to your WordPress website/blog. Make your WordPress password at least
eight characters, and add a few numbers. If you want a very strong password
then you need to be more creative with your passwords.
5 - Install a “Login Limit” program or addition
This
is to help stop brute force attacks. A brute force attack involves having a
computer try every password possible until gaining access to your systems. On
average it takes a fast computer around 80 days to figure out your password,
which is why you should change your passwords every 72 days. Obviously if your
password is one of the famous few such as “000000”, or “password” or “monkey”
then it will take them 80 seconds. A login limit stops these brute force
attacks in the same way your bankcard is suspended if you enter the wrong pin
three times.
6 - Install a security plugin to scan for malware
This
tip is mentioned briefly in point number ten, but for the record, you need a
malware shield and scanner on both your site and your computer. You should also
make a point of buying shared hosting services from a company that scans the
server routinely for malware.
7 - Add a plugin that hides your WordPress version
If a
hacker knows what version of WordPress you are using then he or she will be
able to hack your website more easily. Every version of WordPress needs its own
hacking tools and techniques to get into. If a hacker knows what version you
are using then he or she will know which tools and techniques to use. It will
take a hacker longer to hack your WordPress if he or she has to guess what
version you are using.
8 - Change your password every 72 days
You
may forget to do this so you should consider installing a plugin that reminds
you to change your password routinely. Ideally, you should set the password
change for the same day that you change your email account password, and any
other passwords that mean a lot to you. If you do them all on the same day then
it is harder to forget to do it.
9 - Have routine workstation security audits
Attacks
on your WordPress blog are going to come from all angle, exterior and interior,
which means you need to keep your security tight. A security audit should
examine everything, from how secure your computer and Internet connection is,
to how secure your website and server is. Every time you check an avenue of
attack, you block another malcontent messing with your website or computer.
10 - Install some security plugins
It
would be unethical to recommend all of the specific plugins you should try,
because it is difficult of vouch for how safe or secure they are. You need a
plugin that will secure your entire admin panel; try a plugin that will encrypt
your panel with SSL.
You should have a plugin that will encrypt all of the
login credentials except for the username. You should change as many of the
default WordPress elements as possible, especially the default username, and
there are plugins that will help you to do it. There are plugins that will
create a custom URL for you to login (try these when your WordPress site
becomes popular).
You
should have a plugin that will block any bad queries. They can do things such
as look for any suspiciously long request strings. Finally, you need a good
anti-malware and anti-virus shield and scanner.
Author’s bio:
My name is Sonia Jackson. I
represent the Australian web-site The Essay Bag. and Guest blogger of Reviewat8.in We’ll help you to
solve all problems with writing different essays and research papers according
to the rules of the universities and colleges in Australia.