Are you planning to build a website for your business?
You might be unsure whether you should use WordPress or any other platform.
When it comes to website development, there are so many platforms in the market, including WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and Drupal.
Out of so many platforms out there, WordPress is the most popular website-building platform. WordPress powers more than 43% of all websites on the internet.
But the question is, is it a secure platform?
Yes, WordPress is safe and secure. As long as you follow the right practices, you won’t face any security issues. These include using safe plugins, securing login procedures, using an SSL certificate, using a secure theme, and more.
About WordPress
WordPress is the popular CMS (content management system) originally developed as a blog publishing platform. Currently, it is used to create all types of websites. With WordPress, you can create business websites, eCommerce websites, membership websites, LMS (learning management systems), and more.
A wide range of free and paid plugins make it possible. No matter what type of website you want to create, you will find plugins. Plugins help to add desired features and functionalities to the website. Let’s say, you want to build an eCommerce store using WordPress. Plugins like WooCommerce and BigCommerce can be really useful.
Common WordPress Security Issues
The chances of getting the WordPress website hacked increase when you don’t take any security measures. Here are some common security issues found on WordPress websites are:
- Brute-force login attempts
- Database injections
- Cross-site scripting (XSS)
- Phishing
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks
- Backdoors
- Hotlinking
Tips To Make Your WordPress Website Secure
All websites have the chance of getting hacked. Due to its popularity, WordPress has become an easy target for hackers.
It’s the website owner’s responsibility to make sure there aren’t any security loopholes in the website. Here are some tips to make your WordPress website secure:
- Use secure hosting
- Install security plugins
- Don’t use nulled themes
- Update your WordPress version
- Set strong password
- Use SSL certificate
- Regular backup
- Disable file editing
- Monitor user activity
Use secure hosting
Select a WordPress hosting provider that offers multiple layers of security. You might have seen many hosting providers offering hosting services at cheap rates. Instead of looking for the cheaper option, select one that offers security.
Install security plugins
Installing and configuring security plugins would make it easy for you to prevent your website from getting hacked. Sucuri is the best security plugin on WordPress. It offers security features like malware scanning, file integrity monitoring, blacklist monitoring, post-hack actions, and more.
Use the “Limit Login Attempts Reloaded” plugin for limiting login attempts, the “WP 2FA” plugin to enable two-factor authentication, and the “WPS Hide Login” plugin to change the default login URL and create a custom one.
Don’t use nulled themes
Premium themes cost a bit more. Some websites offer cracked or nulled themes almost free. Never use such themes. Nulled themes are nothing but a hacked version of the premium theme. If you have a limited budget, it’s better to use the free version and have access to limited features than to use nulled/cracked version and have access to premium features.
Update your WordPress version and plugins
Keep your WordPress version and all plugins up to date. Older versions have high vulnerabilities, making them an easy target for hackers.
Set strong password
If you have set a weak password, hackers can easily hack your website with a brute force attack. A brute force attack is a trial-and-error hacking method in which hackers try to use all possible password combinations. So, if your password is easy to guess, it won’t take long for hackers to have access to your website.
Use SSL certificate
In terms of security, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate benefits in many ways. It prevents hackers from creating a fake version of your website. Besides this, it also keeps your visitors’ data secure and build their trust.
Regular backup
Even after taking all the security measures, you should still back up your website regularly. Install a WordPress plugin like Updraft to set up monthly, weekly, or even daily backups. In case your website crashes, gets hacked, or any other issue occurs, you would be able to easily restore it.
Disable file editing
WordPress does provide the ability to edit theme and plugin files from the admin area. By turning it off, users with your WordPress login access won’t be able to make changes. Using the Sucuri plugin, you can disable file editing on your WordPress website.
Monitor user activity
If you have multiple users logging into your WordPress website, it’s advisable to monitor their activity. Using a plugin like Activity Log, you can monitor all the activities users take on your website.
Final Thoughts
WordPress is the most popular website-building platform. This is one of the reasons why WordPress websites become an easy target for hackers.
WordPress is a secure platform, however, security loopholes from the website owner’s side can get the website hacked. Follow the above-mentioned tips to secure your WordPress website from hackers.
Also Read: 11 Types of Websites You Can Create With WordPress
