Tips to Avoid WordPress Hacks?

Mihai B. · Oct 18, 2023

Hello everyone,

I am reaching out to seek your expertise regarding WordPress security. Lately, I have been concerned about the rising instances of WordPress hacks, and I want to make sure my website is secure.

What are some effective strategies and best practices to avoid WordPress hacks? Are there specific security plugins or configurations you recommend? I would love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have to safeguard WordPress websites.

Thank you for your time and knowledge. Your insights will be incredibly valuable in enhancing the security of my WordPress site!

David Beroff · Oct 21, 2023

Here are some tips to avoid WordPress hacks:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Install a 2FA plugin like "Two-Factor" or "Google Authenticator - Two-Factor Authentication" from the WordPress plugin repository.
- Configure the plugin settings to enable 2FA for user logins.
- Users will need to set up 2FA through their profile settings, usually by scanning a QR code with a 2FA app on their smartphone.
Limit Login Attempts:
- Install and activate the "Limit Login Attempts Reloaded" plugin.
- Navigate to Settings > Limit Login Attempts in your WordPress dashboard.
- Set the number of login attempts allowed and the lockout duration after exceeding the attempts.
Choose Reliable Hosting:
- Research and choose a reputable WordPress hosting provider known for its security features.
- Managed WordPress hosting providers like WP Engine, SiteGround, or Bluehost often include built-in security measures.
Configure Proper File Permissions:
- Use an FTP client or your hosting file manager to access your WordPress installation.
- Change directory permissions to 755 (for folders) and file permissions to 644 (for files). You can usually do this by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting 'Permissions' or 'File Attributes.'
Backup Your Website Regularly:
- Use a reliable WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup.
- Configure the plugin to schedule automatic backups (daily, weekly, etc.).
- Store backups in a secure location, such as cloud storage or an external server.
Disable XML-RPC:
- Add the following code to your site's .htaccess file to disable XML-RPC:
  Code:
```
# Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests
<Files xmlrpc.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
</Files>
```
- Alternatively, use a security plugin like Wordfence to disable XML-RPC functionality.
Monitor Your Website:
- Use Google Analytics or a WordPress plugin like MonsterInsights to monitor website traffic.
- Set up server monitoring tools or services to track server resources, uptime, and unusual activities. Tools like Pingdom or UptimeRobot can be helpful.

You can significantly enhance the security of your WordPress website and reduce the risk of hacks or unauthorized access. Remember to keep all themes, plugins, and the WordPress core up-to-date for the best security practices.

I hope it helps!

Cheerag Nundlall · Nov 11, 2023

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers millions of websites around the world. However, its popularity also makes it a target for hackers. To protect your WordPress website from attack, it is important to keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication, choose secure plugins and themes, limit login attempts, use a security plugin, and configure your WordPress website securely. You should also monitor your website's security on a regular basis to detect and respond to any attacks early.

BlueLeaf · Nov 15, 2023

During the WordPress installation, change the default database table prefix from "wp_" to something more unique. This makes it harder for attackers to predict the structure of your database tables, adding an extra layer of complexity to potential SQL injection attacks.

Change the default login URL of your WordPress site to something unique. The standard login URL for WordPress is well-known, making it susceptible to brute force attacks. By customizing the login URL, you add an extra layer of security, as potential attackers would need to guess both the username and the custom login URL.

Kaz Wolfe · Nov 20, 2023

It depends on the level of security you implement. Applying certain secure methods significantly enhances the security of your WordPress site compared to neglecting security measures. Employing robust practices such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping software updated are vital. Additionally, installing reputable security plugins and firewalls, limiting login attempts, and avoiding pirated themes/plugins are crucial steps. Regular backups stored offsite provide a safety net in case of a breach. Implementing these security measures substantially bolsters your WordPress site's defense against potential threats.

davids007 · Nov 23, 2023

Here are the points:

1. Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated regularly to patch security vulnerabilities.
2. Use strong, unique passwords for admin accounts and employ two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
3. Install a reputable security plugin, regularly backup your website, and monitor for suspicious activities to proactively prevent and address potential hacks.

otto levin · Sep 24, 2024

Let's start with a hosting provider.

Choose the one that has anti-virus software. For example, fozzy.com uses a bundle of ClamAV and CSX, which scans all the files on the server in real time. If it finds malicious files, it quarantines them immediately so they will not harm your website. There is also a tool called Patchman, which scans all the WordPress files and patches breaches and vulnerabilities, if any, in real time.

Then, make sure that your hosting provider uses Softaculous software to install and manage CMSs. Softaculous has a WordPress management tool with all the security settings you need. See the screenshot:

And here is a list of security plugins I use in my WordPress website:

Wordfence Security: Firewall and malware scanner, Live traffic monitoring.
WP Activity Log: User activity tracking, Audit logging for compliance.
Akismet Antispam: Spam and bots protection
WPS Hide Login: Changes the default URL of the login page
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded: Blocks excessive login attempts and protects website against brute force attacks

Tips to Avoid WordPress Hacks?

Mihai B.

Well-known member

David Beroff

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Mihai B.

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Cheerag Nundlall

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BlueLeaf

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Kaz Wolfe

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davids007

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otto levin

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