The popularity of WordPress makes it an obvious target for hackers too. Here are some ways we protect our WordPress deployments at protracked:

Up to date. Always!

The WordPress development team works vigorously to find security flaws and improve them. Such fixes are released to users as regular core version updates. Minor updates happen automatically, but major updates like migrating to the recent WordPress 5.0 have to be performed manually. Most users ignore these core version updates, as they can sometimes affect website elements. These issues then need to be fixed in a hurry. Not updating core version changes makes the hackers job easy and they love it.

Plugins and theme updates are very critical than WordPress core updates. 63% of reported WordPress security problems are caused by incompatible plugins or themes, while just 37% are due to the lack of core updates. That being said, be attentive while using questionable plugins/themes from third parties.

Installing a security plugin like Wordfence Security will alert us via email whenever there is an update.

Secure the Web Host

The web host you pick can have an impact upon your WordPress website’s security. Shared servers may be cheaper but pose a likely WordPress security issue. Hackers can simply find their way into your website by initially going through the other vulnerable websites on the shared server.

A fix for these WordPress security issues is choosing a managed WordPress hosting. Many of these web hosts automatically update and backup your WordPress website.

We do not host websites on shared servers due to security and performance reasons. Closing back-end access to server from all IPs other than our office’s static IP address has been a really effective way for us in securing our servers.

Rename default WordPress login

Another easy way to protect your Wordpress website is renaming your WordPress login page, making it inaccessible unless you have the direct URL. In case you’re not a developer, use the Rename wp-login.php plugin to rename. Don’t forget to bookmark the changed URL.

This WordPress security method works as long as your website only allows some administrator accounts. However, in case your WordPress website users are too many, make sure admins and users use different login pages (Just hide the admin login).

This is a wordpress website. Try logging in :p

Utilize WordPress Security Plugins

Even if WordPress does a neat job protecting itself you can still increase its security by installing security plugins. These plugins handle all manner of tasks including scanning, preventing threats, attaching firewalls, tracking logins, and more.

Wordfence is our personal favorite. It is one of the more popular WordPress security plugins. It’s a freemium plugin which includes firewall and malware scanners created especially for WordPress.

Backup! Automated Backups!

Just like the above tweaks, it is also important to have backups; that too, automated backups. It helps not just from hackers, but also from occasional screw ups that happen due to updates or mistakes. Use any of the popular WordPress backup plugins, and store your backups in the cloud on an independent account. Don’t store all your backups in the host itself. Instead, store your backups in the cloud on an independent account.

As a standard practice, we keep automated, snapshots of 1 month for all our servers. It has come in handy not just for recovery, but also for testing, migrations and identifying breaking of builds due to updates.

Are you building your own website or redesigning your existing website? You must consider developing it using the WordPress platform – an incredibly versatile choice for building eye-grabbing websites for personal or commercial use.

So, what exactly is the role of a WordPress?

WordPress assists you to effortlessly create, edit, manage, and publish content on your site without having a prior knowledge in programming. Also, it makes sure that the website displays perfectly on all devices.

Still didn’t get a clarity? 

In simple words, it is a software that allows you to maintain a database of any kind of information – text, photos, audio, or video files. It can be displayed and formatted in the way you dreamt of!

By the time, I hope you’ve perceived the efficacy of WordPress. Not only that, there are many benefits in using it. Read on.

15 reasons on why to use WordPress:

1. WordPress is an open source software, i.e., it is free to use, edit, and redistribute. 
   
2. WordPress is easy-to-setup and affordable. You can install and start working on it in five minutes approx.
   
3. WordPress offers you enormous flexibility and versatility options to create any website. It also gives you a wide range of wordpress themes and plugins thereby increasing the functionality to a larger extent. 
   
4. We all know, Google ranks every website in search results on the basis of predefined parameters. WordPress helps you fulfil more parameters thereby improving the search engine visibility of your website. Furthermore, website plugins are available to ease the SEO process.
   
5. No matter if you are a developer or not, WordPress has a user-friendly dashboard and you can easily customise the designs, colours, features of a WordPress theme.
   
6. WordPress has a large community to help people in troubleshooting. The support forum already consists of millions of queries and answers.
   
7. In the case of HTML websites, you will need to create a separate website for mobile phones and PCs. But WordPress supports all mobile platforms and screen sizes.
   
8. WordPress plugins will protect the website from malware, hackers, and enforce strong passwords.
   
9. Plenty of customisable functions are available for better content management system. You can even schedule posts to be published at specific times.
   
10. You can improve branding by creating a small community inside your website where customers can interact and share their feedback.
    
11.  WordPress allows you to work with several third-party services without the help of a developer. For instance, to integrate a payment gateway or to install an automatic backup system.
    
12. Are you targeting a global audience? If yes, WordPress is a must-have for your website. Here, you can translate your website into over 40 languages and create separate website for each language.
    
13. For exclusive content like online courses or tutorials, you can build a premium membership site.
    
14. If you are not satisfied with the current web hosting provider, you have the option to move to another hosting provider; which you can’t do in most platforms.
    
15. WordPress is of less maintenance. You can easily backup and update using plugins in a single click. It will even inform you when an update is available.

WordPress offers you the perfect foundation to build a lasting website. If you use it appropriately, you can heighten security and efficiency of your business. Ready to get started? Speak with the experts for assistance!