Protect your WordPress Website from Attacks

WordPress is a common platform for building and maintaining a website these days. It’s a powerful tool that many people love to use. The problem is that its popularity also makes it a favorite target for hackers.

 

How can you protect your WordPress site from attacks? Start by addressing some of these known vulnerabilities. Doing so now can thwart an attack in the future.

 

 Vulnerability #1: A Weak or Outdated Password

 

Your WordPress password is like a key to your website. If your key is old, easy to guess, or otherwise weak, your site is vulnerable to attacks. Here are some tips for keeping your WordPress password strong and effective:

  • Don’t be generic. You’ve probably heard it plenty of times before, but it bears repeating. Passwords like “1234,” “password,” and “zyxwv” are not strong enough to withstand an attack. Pick something unique, long, and hard to guess. It’s best to mix letters, numbers, and even symbols.
  • Keep it fresh. The longer you stick with your old password, the more vulnerable your site is. A rule of thumb is to change your password every three months. It’s also a good idea not to reuse passwords.
  • Get everyone on board. If your site has multiple users, make sure each one follows the suggestions above. All it takes is one weak password to compromise your site.

 

Vulnerability #2: The Default “Admin” User

 

When you install WordPress, it creates a user account named “admin.” Hackers know this and use it to target WordPress sites. Because they have the username, they only have to break the password to access your site.

 

The fix is to delete this default account. When you do so, an attacker must figure out both the username and the password. If you haven’t already done so, create a new user account with a unique name and the role of Administrator. Then delete the “admin” user account.

 

Vulnerability #3: Neglected Updates

 

The WordPress team constantly monitors its platform for vulnerabilities. As it finds them, it releases updates to fix potential security issues. When your WordPress dashboard tells you there’s a new update to install, you should install it right away. Doing so will plug any known holes in the version of WordPress you’re running on your website.

 

The same is true for plugins. Plugin creators provide updates for several reasons. As WordPress releases updates, plugins must be modified to work with the new versions. Updates also plug possible security holes. It can be a pain to go through and install updates, but it’s vital for the integrity of your website.

 

WordPress can be a wonderful, secure platform if you take the time to address potential problems. Follow the tips above and you’ll be on your way to protecting your WordPress website.