Your Guide to WordPress Security Tips and Best Practices

Author: Michael Scorcia Category: Web Design Date: March 22, 2019

WordPress is an ever-evolving tool you can use to create your blog or a full website. In order to keep it safe, you should consider these WordPress security tips and best practices as you maintain or update your site. Small and incremental measures today can help prevent a website security breach tomorrow. With a few common sense steps and industry know-how, your WordPress security vulnerabilities will be kept at bay so you can focus on the company behind your website.

Why Do I Need To Implement WordPress Security Best Practices?

In the excitement of creating a new website,  you might want to focus on the content and design, or even just the user experience. However, website security is part of the overall user experience with your brand and you can’t forget about. Ensuring that your website visitor’s data is on a secure WordPress site as they navigate your site is paramount.

WordPress security issues can arise with updates, user errors, or hacks. By implementing WordPress security best practices you can remain ahead of any potential negative outcome from an unwanted attack and the negative press associated with that.

WordPress Security Tips

Because WordPress is an open-source tool, components like WordPress security plugins and updates can sometimes interfere with one another. There are many factors that go into your overall website management and maintenance. However, WordPress security tips are important for you to consider you go build your own WordPress security checklist.

Tip 1 – Update WordPress Regularly

WordPress is updated frequently. The most recent update fixed issues that could have exposed default passwords and email addresses as well as unauthorized metadata modification. This could be catastrophic for a new company that aims to garner trust in their industry. Check for updates regularly, at least every month or as soon as you learn of updates.

Tip 2 – Update Your WordPress Plugins

WordPress security issues can stem from outdated plugins. Plugins essentially help you customize your site and are integrated with the version of WordPress you have. When you update your core WordPress will let you know if your plugin is compatible. Updating also ensures the functionality of your site remains consistent for your visitors.

Tip 3 – Save a Backup of Your WordPress Site

Keeping an updated WordPress backup is essential. Remember to do this at least once per month, and especially when you update your core and plugins. In line with WordPress security best practices, a copy ensures that if you are hacked, for any reason, that you can restore the site with ease. Your site is essentially a storefront to your customers, so you cannot afford a moment of downtime.

Tip 4 – Change Your WordPress Password

Changing your password may seem simple, but it is often overlooked. It is good practice to change all passwords every few months, at a minimum. To keep things simple, change it on the first day of each season for your site and all other accounts. You can also change the number of failed-attempts so that bots or hackers are not given endless opportunities to infiltrate your site.

Tip 5 – Install a WordPress Firewall Plugin and Enable Security Scans

WordPress security best practices include preventing issues before they come to your door. Consider it a barrier between incoming traffic and your website. As a bonus, certain firewall plugins may boost your website performance. Using security scans for your site is similar to virus protection on your PC—it prevents and removes anything suspicious before it becomes a larger issue.

Contact Paradigm Marketing and Design today to discuss our website management and maintenance services.