How to Secure WordPress Website?
“How to Secure WordPress?“ is one of the top topics in WordPress and CMS society. Recent statistics show that over 28% of website administrators across the web use WordPress. Then almost 30% of Internet website security is based on the security of WordPress. This means WordPress security is important.
Security of WordPress depends on the security of itself like functions, codes, configurations, and themes and plugins installed on it.
WordPress Security
Most of the time websites targeted by malicious hackers and spammers who seek to leverage insecure websites to their advantage.
WordPress itself is secure enough (but not 100%). The problem will be inside the plugins. Some plugins use risky codes or sometimes not secure codes at all. Here best plugins will be shining.
Security never will be 100%. Because there will always be a risk, securing your WordPress site will remain a continuous process, requiring frequent assessment of these attack vectors. At this level, we can just update WordPress to increase security and fixing bugs.
1. How to Update WordPress?
The most important thing you need to do before updating WordPress is to create a complete WordPress backup.
A complete WordPress backup includes everything.
- Your WordPress database
- All your images and media uploads
- Your WordPress plugins and themes
- Core WordPress files
You can do this from your host admin panel.
To update, log in to the admin panel of your WordPress website and go to Dashboard > Updates.
You will see the notice that a new version of WordPress is available. Now you just need to click on the ‘Update Now’ button to initiate the update. WordPress will now fetch the latest version of the software and install it for you. You will see the update progress on your screen during the updating.
Theme
Themes are the interface of a WordPress website. They are made by PHP codes. Then, themes can be vulnerable. Using a safe theme for a website as important as WordPress because if there is a bug in the theme, hackers and attackers can corrupt WordPress itself.
1. How to Choose a WordPress Theme?
Choosing the right theme is important. You must choose a suitable and secure theme.
Consider these steps when you want to install theme.
- Does the theme have a large install base?
- Are there a lot of user reviews, and is the average rating high?
- Are the developers actively supporting their theme and pushing frequent updates or security patches?
- Does the vendor list terms of service or a privacy policy?
- Does the vendor include a physical contact address in the ToS or from a contact page?
If the theme has these questions’ answers, you can choose one of them but remember it, even the best themes may have bugs.
2. How to Install WordPress Themes?
- Log in to your WordPress admin page, then go to Appearance and select Themes.
- To add a theme, click Add New.
- If you know the name of the theme you want, search for it in the Theme directory. If you don’t know your preferred theme’s name, use the Feature Filter to hone down your selection, check any tags and click Apply Filter for a screen filled with themes that meet your search criteria.
- To unlock a theme’s options, hover over it; you can either choose Preview to see a demo of the theme or install it by clicking the Install button once you’re ready. Once installed, click the Activate link.
- You’re all done, now preview your site to see how it looks.
- If you have downloaded a theme on your system, click on Upload Theme and browse it on your system and click the Install Now button.
3. How to Update WordPress Theme?
Sometimes themes can become deprecated. Check them to be sure, you are using the right theme. If there is an update for it, update it.
Go to Appearance > Themes. In this section, you can see which theme needs an update. If you are not using a child/parent theme for customizations, you’ll need to copy your modifications to a new theme folder.
Plugins
Plugins are some codes to increase the capability of WordPress websites. These days every WordPress websites using plugins.
1. How to Choose a WordPress Plugin?
Like themes, choosing the right plugins is important. If there is a bug in one of the plugins, your website at risk.
Consider these steps when you want to install plugin.
- Does the plugin have a large install base?
- Are there a lot of user reviews, and is the average rating high?
- Are the developers actively supporting their plugin and pushing frequent updates or security patches?
- Does the vendor list terms of service or a privacy policy?
- Does the vendor include a physical contact address in the ToS or from a contact page?
If the plugin has these questions’ answers, you can choose it but remember it, even the best plugins may have bugs.
2. How to Install WordPress Plugins?
Log in to your WP admin area and go to Plugins > Add New.
Browse to the plugin archive and select it. Then click Install Now and the plugin will be installed shortly.
3. How to Update WordPress Plugin?
Log in to the WP admin section. Go to Plugins. If there is an update for the plugin, you will see the update now link in the plugin area. After clicking, the plugin will be updated shortly.
Tips about themes and plugins
1. Remove Unused WordPress Plugins & Themes
If you don’t need a plugin or theme, remove them. By default, there are themes on WordPress that they install with WordPress, if you don’t want to use them and use another theme, remove them.
2. Keep WordPress, Theme, and Plugins Updated All the Time
You should always apply updates as soon as possible to keep your WordPress site safe & secure.
