10 steps to secure a WordPress blog

1.- Keep WordPress and Plugins Updated

Regularly updating WordPress and its plugins will fix security vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of hacking.

To update WordPress and its plugins, you can follow these steps:

- Login to your WordPress dashboard and go to the Updates page.
- If there are updates available for WordPress core plugins (or themes) click on the "Update Now" button.
- Wait for the update process to complete.

To avoid breaking your website's templates, you can follow these tips:

- Backup your website before updating. This will allow you to restore your website in case anything goes wrong.
- Check the compatibility of your current theme and plugins with the latest version of WordPress before updating. You can check the compatibility by visiting the plugin or theme page on the WordPress repository or by contacting the developer.
- Update your theme and plugins before updating WordPress core. This will ensure that the latest version of your theme and plugins are compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
- Test your website after updating. Check that all pages menus and plugins are working as expected.
- If something goes wrong, you can roll back to the previous version of WordPress your theme, or your plugins by restoring your backup.

2 - Use Strong Passwords

- Use strong, unique passwords for all user accounts including the administrator account. A strong password is a combination of upper and lower case letters numbers, and symbols. The administrator account has the highest level of access to your WordPress site, so it's important to use a strong, unique password for this account.

- Use Different Passwords for Different User Roles: If you have multiple user roles on your WordPress site (e.g., editor author, contributor), use different passwords for each role.

- Avoid Using Common Words: Avoid using common words, phrases, or personal information in your passwords. Hackers can use this information to guess your password.

- Let's repeat this, it's very important: Use a Combination of Upper and Lowercase Letters, Numbers, and Symbols: A strong password is a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using dictionary words or predictable patterns.

- Change Your Password Regularly: Regularly changing your password can help prevent unauthorized access to your WordPress site. Consider changing your password every 3-6 months. Remembering strong passwords can be a challenge but using a password manager or mnemonic can make it easier. Be sure to also communicate these best practices to all users who have access to your WordPress site.

If you need help creating secure passwords, we recommend you read the following article: 10 Tips to Create Strong but Memorable Passwords

3.- Limit Login Attempts

Limiting the number of login attempts will prevent hackers from guessing passwords by brute force. Plugins such as Login Lockdown can help with this.

One of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your WordPress site is by trying to guess your username and password through a brute force attack. To prevent this you can use a plugin or service that limits the number of login attempts from a single IP address. This can help to stop brute force attacks in their tracks as the attacker will be locked out after a certain number of failed attempts. Some popular plugins for this purpose include Login Lockdown and Limit Login Attempts Reloaded. Note that some web hosting providers offer this service built-in, so it's worth checking with your provider to see if they offer it.

4.- Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code to be entered in addition to a username and password. Plugins such as Two-Factor or Google Authenticator can be used to enable this feature.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your WordPress login. Traditionally logging into a website only required a username and password. However if an attacker gains access to your password (e.g. through a data breach or by guessing your password) they can easily gain access to your account.

With 2FA a code is required in addition to your username and password. The code is typically generated on a mobile device or sent via SMS, and it changes frequently. This means that even if an attacker has your password, they still cannot gain access to your account without also having the code.

There are several plugins available for WordPress that enable 2FA. Two-Factor and Google Authenticator are two popular options. These plugins work by prompting you for a code after you enter your username and password. The code is generated on your mobile device (using an app like Google Authenticator) and must be entered within a certain amount of time.

Setting up 2FA with these plugins involves installing and configuring the plugin, as well as setting up the mobile app on your phone. Once configured, you will be prompted for a code each time you log in to your WordPress site. This adds an extra layer of security and can help protect your site from brute force attacks and other security threats.

5.- Disable File Editing

Disabling the ability to edit files within the WordPress dashboard can prevent hackers from injecting malicious code into your site. This can be done by adding the following line of code to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

You can access the wp-config.php file through your hosting account's file manager or an FTP client such as FileZilla. Make sure to add this line of code above the line that says in english "/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */".

- Why Disable File Editing? By default, WordPress allows users to edit theme and plugin files directly from the WordPress dashboard. This can be a convenient feature but it also presents a security risk. If a hacker gains access to a user's account with editing privileges they can inject malicious code into the theme or plugin files, potentially compromising the entire site. By disabling file editing you can prevent this type of attack.

- Benefits of Disabling File Editing: Disabling file editing not only prevents attackers from injecting malicious code into your site but also reduces the risk of accidental file changes by users with editing privileges. It's also a best practice for security compliance.

- Workaround for Editing Theme and Plugin Files: If you need to edit theme or plugin files, you can do so through a text editor and then upload the edited files to your WordPress site. This is a safer way to edit files, as it requires direct access to your site's file system rather than relying on the WordPress dashboard.

- Use a Security Plugin: If you're not comfortable editing the wp-config.php file or want an easier way to disable file editing, you can use a security plugin such as Wordfence, Sucuri or iThemes Security. These plugins provide a user-friendly interface for managing WordPress security settings, including file editing.

How to Remove Malware & Clean a Hacked WordPress Site

If your WordPress site has been infected, here are some steps you can take to clean it up:

- Backup Your Site: Before you start cleaning your site, make sure to backup your site files and database. This ensures that you have a copy of your site in case something goes wrong during the cleaning process.

- Identify the Malware: Use a security plugin such as Wordfence Sucuri or MalCare to scan your site for malware. These plugins can detect malicious code and files, and also provide information on the type of malware and how it got onto your site.

- Remove the Malware: Once you've identified the malware you'll need to remove it. You can do this manually by deleting the infected files, or you can use a malware removal plugin such as MalCare or Sucuri to automate the process. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by the plugin to ensure that all infected files are removed.

- Update WordPress, Plugins and Themes: Outdated software can make your site vulnerable to attacks. Make sure to update WordPress, plugins, and themes to their latest versions to ensure that your site is protected against known vulnerabilities.

- Change Your Passwords: If your site was infected, it's possible that the attacker gained access through a weak password. Change all passwords associated with your site, including WordPress admin passwords, FTP passwords and database passwords. Use strong passwords that are unique and not easy to guess.

- Harden Your Site: Once you've cleaned up your site, take steps to harden your site's security. This includes implementing the security tips we've discussed in this article such as using strong passwords limiting login attempts and disabling file editing.

- Monitor Your Site: Keep an eye on your site for any unusual activity or signs of a new infection. Use a security plugin to scan your site regularly for malware and vulnerabilities.

Cleaning up a WordPress site after a malware infection can be a daunting task, but by following these steps you can ensure that your site is secure and protected against future attacks. If you're not comfortable doing this on your own, consider hiring a professional to help you clean up your site.

6.- Implement SSL

Implementing SSL will encrypt data sent between the user's browser and your server preventing interception of sensitive information.

WordPress is a popular Content Management System (CMS) used to create and manage websites. When a user interacts with a WordPress site, their browser sends requests to the server hosting the site and the server responds with the requested data, such as web pages, images, or videos.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that encrypts the data transmitted between the user's browser and the server hosting the WordPress site. SSL ensures that the data exchanged between the two parties is protected from interception and manipulation by hackers or third parties.

Implementing SSL on a WordPress site involves acquiring a digital SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA), which will verify the authenticity of the site and create a secure encrypted connection between the user's browser and the server. Once installed, SSL will protect sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card details, and personal information entered on the website.

Without SSL any data transmitted between the user's browser and the server is sent in plain text, which means that anyone with access to the network can intercept and read the data. This leaves the user vulnerable to data breaches and identity theft.

Implementing SSL on your WordPress site is essential to ensure the security and privacy of your users' data. Many web hosts offer SSL certificates for free and some even offer easy installation through one-click installers.

Is SSL a plugin for WordPress?
No, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is not a plugin but rather a security protocol that is implemented at the server level. However, there are WordPress plugins that can help you set up SSL on your site.

One such plugin is Really Simple SSL, which automatically detects your SSL certificate and configures your WordPress site to use SSL. The plugin also fixes any mixed content errors that may occur when migrating from HTTP to HTTPS.

Another plugin is WP Force SSL, which forces your WordPress site to use HTTPS by redirecting all HTTP requests to HTTPS. This plugin is useful if you have already installed an SSL certificate on your server and want to ensure that all traffic to your site is encrypted.

Keep in mind that while plugins can help simplify the process of implementing SSL on your WordPress site the actual SSL certificate and configuration must be set up at the server level. Many web hosts offer free SSL certificates and some even offer one-click installations through their control panels.

7.- Use a Firewall

A firewall can help protect your site from malicious traffic by blocking suspicious IP addresses or requests. Plugins such as Wordfence or iThemes Security can be used to enable this feature.

What's a firewall?

A firewall is a security measure that controls the traffic coming to and from a server. In the context of a WordPress site, a firewall can help protect the site from various types of attacks, including brute-force attacks DDoS attacks, and malicious bots.

There are two types of firewalls that can be implemented on a WordPress site: network-level firewalls and application-level firewalls.

- A network-level firewall is implemented at the server level and is designed to filter traffic before it reaches the WordPress application. This type of firewall can be configured to block traffic based on various criteria including IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

- An application-level firewall on the other hand, is implemented within the WordPress application itself and is designed to filter traffic at the application level. This type of firewall can be configured to block suspicious requests based on various criteria, including user agent, URL parameters, and request frequency.

Plugins such as Wordfence or iThemes Security can be used to implement an application-level firewall on a WordPress site. These plugins offer various security features including malware scanning, two-factor authentication and brute-force protection. They also offer the ability to block suspicious IP addresses or requests, which can help protect your site from malicious traffic.

To implement a firewall on your WordPress site, you can install a security plugin configure the firewall settings and enable the firewall feature. It's important to note that while firewalls can help protect your site they are not a replacement for good security practices such as keeping your WordPress site and plugins up to date using strong passwords, and regularly backing up your site.

8.- Hide WordPress Version

Hiding the WordPress version number can prevent hackers from targeting known vulnerabilities. This can be done by adding the following line of code to your functions.php file:

remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');

Hiding the WordPress version number can be an effective security measure as it can prevent hackers from targeting known vulnerabilities in specific versions of WordPress. When a hacker knows the version number of WordPress being used they can search for vulnerabilities specific to that version and exploit them to gain access to the site.

9.- Restrict Access to wp-admin

Restricting access to wp-admin by limiting the IP addresses that can access the directory can prevent unauthorized access to your site's backend.

This is a common security measure that can help prevent unauthorized access to your site's backend. However, if your IP address is dynamic, meaning it changes each time you connect to the internet it can be challenging to restrict access based on your IP address.

There are a few ways to work around this issue:

- Use a VPN: A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can provide you with a static IP address that you can use to access the wp-admin directory. This way, you can restrict access to the wp-admin directory based on your VPN IP address.

- Use a dynamic DNS service: A dynamic DNS service can provide you with a domain name that is always associated with your current IP address. This way, you can restrict access to the wp-admin directory based on your domain name.

If neither of these options is feasible you can still use the .htaccess file to restrict access to the wp-admin directory.

Here's how:

- Create an .htaccess file in the wp-admin directory if it doesn't already exist.

- Add the following code to the .htaccess file:

<Files wp-login.php>
order deny, allow
deny from all
allow from xx.xx.xx.xx
</Files>

Replace "xx.xx.xx.xx" with your IP address or the IP address range that you want to allow access to the wp-admin directory. You can also add multiple "allow from" lines to allow access from multiple IP addresses or IP address ranges.

Keep in mind that while restricting access to the wp-admin directory can help prevent unauthorized access it's not a replacement for other security measures such as using strong passwords, keeping your WordPress site and plugins up to date and using a security plugin.

Another option, an extra login
To create a prompt login using .htaccess and .htpasswd files to secure a WordPress site, you can follow these steps:

- Create a .htpasswd file: Use a tool such as htpasswd to create a .htpasswd file with the username and password you want to use for the login prompt. For example, if you want to use the username "admin" and the password "password123" (of course, this password is just an example, use a strong one!), you would run the following command in the terminal:

htpasswd -c /path/to/.htpasswd admin password123

This creates a new .htpasswd file with the username "admin" and the encrypted password "password123".

Create a .htaccess file: Create a new .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress site. Add the following code to the .htaccess file:

AuthType Basic
AuthName "Restricted Area"
AuthUserFile /path/to/.htpasswd
Require valid-user
Replace "/path/to/.htpasswd" with the actual path to your .htpasswd file.

- Upload the files to your server: Upload both the .htaccess and .htpasswd files to the root directory of your WordPress site.

- Test the login prompt: Navigate to your WordPress site in your web browser. You should see a login prompt asking for the username and password you created in step 1.

- Exclude wp-admin and wp-login.php: To ensure that you can still log in to the WordPress admin dashboard you need to exclude the wp-admin directory and the wp-login.php file from the login prompt. Add the following code to your .htaccess file:

<Files wp-login.php>
Satisfy Any
Allow from all
</Files>

<FilesMatch "^wp-admin">
Satisfy Any
Allow from all
</FilesMatch>

This will exclude the wp-admin directory and wp-login.php file from the login prompt so you can still log in to the WordPress dashboard as usual. By following these steps you can create a prompt login using .htaccess and .htpasswd files to secure your WordPress site. This can be a useful security measure for protecting sensitive areas of your site, such as the wp-config.php file or the wp-content directory.

10.- Backup Regularly

Final tip but maybe the most important: Regularly backing up your site will ensure that you can recover your data in case of a hack or other disaster. Plugins such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy can be used to enable this feature.

Backing up your WordPress site regularly is an essential task for any website owner as it can help you recover your data in case of a hack or other disaster. Fortunately there are many plugins available that can help you automate this process. Here's how to backup your WordPress site using a plugin:

- Install a backup plugin: There are many backup plugins available for WordPress, but two popular options are UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy. To install a plugin, go to the "Plugins" section of your WordPress dashboard and click "Add New". Search for the plugin you want to use, install it, and activate it.

- Configure the plugin: Once you've installed the backup plugin, you'll need to configure it. This usually involves setting up a backup schedule (such as daily or weekly backups) choosing what to back up (such as your database or your entire site) and deciding where to store your backups (such as on your server, in the cloud or on an external service).

- Run your first backup: Once you've configured the backup plugin, run your first backup. This may take some time, depending on the size of your site and the settings you've chosen.

- Verify your backups: After your backup is complete, verify that it was successful. Check that the backup file exists and that it contains all the data you need.

- Automate your backups: To ensure that your backups are always up to date automate the backup process using the plugin's scheduling feature. This will ensure that your site is backed up regularly without you having to remember to do it manually.

By following these steps, you can backup your WordPress site regularly using a plugin. This can help you recover your data in case of a hack or other disaster and give you peace of mind knowing that your site is protected.

Conclusion

WordPress is a wonderful tool, but its popularity is also its Achilles' heel. Implementing these tips will help make your WordPress site more secure and reduce the risk of hacking or other security threats.