10 Ways to Protect your WordPress Site or Blog from Hackers
As much as you try, the unfortunate truth is that hackers are going to try to attack and access your WordPress website or blog, whether you like it or not. So, it is up to you to make sure you make the hacker’s job as difficult as possible. Here are some tips:
1. Use Plugins
One way to make your WordPress account less appealing is to use security plugins. These vary in quality, and you might have to purchase some of them, too. Just make sure to do some research before buying them, and when you do, only buy them from a trusted marketplace.
2. Choose The Right Password and Change It Often
When choosing a password for your account, make sure it is a minimum of 8 characters, and mix it up with letters, numbers and symbols. Also, change your password about every 2-3 months.
3. Change Your Defaults
Also, make sure that you are changing the default user name and password that you are given for your hosting account. It’s best, in fact, if you change any detail that you are allowed to change, simply because you don’t know how secure your host’s servers are.
4. Only Choose Secure Hosting
Use a secure hosting company. There is no better tip that that. If you go with a free package, understand that you will get what you pay for.
5. Install All Updates
Make sure you are installing any updates you get from WordPress. These often contain security features that can protect you.
6. Consider Hosting Company Security Options
Many good hosting companies offer security options for their clients, and if you have this option, do it. Just make sure you are not paying too much, and look for coupon codes, if possible.
7. Delete What You Are Not Using
If you have unused images or plugins in your account, delete them. They waste space and can put your account and site at risk.
8. Back Up Everything
Your best defense against hackers is to make sure you are backing up everything, and do it often. You can delete any old backups to save space.
9. Watch the Powers You Give Contributors
Though it might be tempting to allow authorized contributors to post their own blogs and articles, don’t give them any more access to your site than you have to.
10. Use Security suites
There are a variety of web based security products designed to proactively monitor your site and block unauthorized activity. Check out Cloudbric. This all-inclusive solution helps in preventing web attacks including DDoS, while also providing SSL and CDN services.
Robert Siciliano is a personal privacy, security and identity theft expert to Cloudbric discussing identity theft prevention. Disclosures.