WordPress Security Checklist: Ultimate Guide To Secure WordPress Website in 2025

WordPress Security Checklist: To Secure WordPress Website is so important because WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) on the web, powering over 40% of all websites. Its flexibility, ease of use, and extensive plugin ecosystem make it a top choice for individuals and businesses alike. However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for cyberattacks. Securing your WordPress site is crucial to protect your data, maintain site performance, and ensure a safe experience for your users. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to secure your WordPress website, highlighting key practices, tools, and plugins.

Why Use WordPress to Create a Website?

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. Its widespread use is due to several key factors:

• User-Friendly Interface: WordPress is designed with usability in mind, allowing users of all skill levels to create and manage websites. The intuitive dashboard and wide range of plugins make it easy to customize and expand the functionality of a site without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
• Extensive Customization Options: With thousands of themes and plugins available, WordPress offers unparalleled customization options. Whether you need a simple blog, an e-commerce site, or a complex business portal, there’s a theme or plugin that can cater to your specific needs.
• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is built with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind. It offers features like customizable permalinks, metadata management, and mobile responsiveness, which are essential for improving search engine rankings.
• Large Community and Support: The vast WordPress community means there is a wealth of resources available, including forums, tutorials, and documentation. This support network is invaluable for troubleshooting issues and learning how to maximize your site’s potential.
• Flexibility and Scalability: WordPress can grow with your business. It’s suitable for both small personal blogs and large corporate websites, offering scalability that ensures your site can handle increasing traffic and content.

Why WordPress Security is Important

Given its popularity, WordPress is a frequent target for hackers and cybercriminals. Ensuring your WordPress site is secure is crucial for several reasons:

• Protecting User Data: A breach can expose sensitive user information, leading to identity theft and other malicious activities. Protecting this data is not only a legal obligation but also a crucial aspect of maintaining user trust.
• Preventing Malware and Exploits: Hackers often inject malware into vulnerable sites, which can lead to blacklisting by search engines and hosting providers. This can severely damage your site’s reputation and accessibility.
• Maintaining Website Availability: Security vulnerabilities can lead to downtime, which negatively impacts user experience and can result in loss of revenue, especially for e-commerce sites.
• Protecting SEO Rankings: A compromised site can suffer from poor search engine rankings. Search engines like Google penalize sites that are infected with malware or have been hacked, leading to reduced visibility.
• Preserving Brand Reputation: A secure website helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of your brand. A security breach can lead to negative publicity and loss of customer trust.

WordPress Security Checklist: Secure WordPress Website Step By Step

1. Use Secure, Fast, Reliable Hosting

Choosing a secure and reliable hosting provider is the first step in securing your WordPress website. Here are three highly recommended options:

Hostinger:

Hostinger is known for its affordability and robust security features. It offers free SSL certificates, daily backups, and a custom-built security suite that includes advanced firewall protection and automated malware scans.

Key Features:

• Free SSL certificate
• Daily backups
• DDoS protection
• 24/7 customer support
• Fast loading times with LiteSpeed Cache

Pricing: Starts at $2.99 per month for shared hosting.

Contabo:

Contabo provides high-performance hosting with a focus on security. Their data centers are equipped with DDoS protection, and they offer regular security updates and backups. Contabo’s VPS and dedicated server options allow for greater control over security settings.

Key Features:

• SSD storage for fast performance
• Customizable server configurations
• Free DDoS protection
• Regular backups
• 24/7 customer support

Pricing: VPS plans start at $4.15 per month.

Cloudways:

Cloudways offers managed cloud hosting with top-notch security features. They provide free SSL certificates, regular security patches, and a dedicated firewall. Cloudways also includes a staging environment for testing updates and changes before applying them to the live site.

Key Features:

• Free SSL certificates
• Automated backups
• Advanced caching mechanisms
• 24/7 support
• Multiple cloud providers (AWS, Google Cloud, Vultr, DigitalOcean, etc.)

Pricing: Pay-as-you-go model, starting at $11 per month.

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2. Install SSL and Always Use HTTPS

Securing the data transmitted between your website and its users is crucial. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts this data, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept and misuse. Most hosting providers, including Hostinger and Cloudways, offer free SSL certificates with their plans. Once installed, ensure your site always uses HTTPS by updating your WordPress settings and using plugins like Really Simple SSL.

3. Change Default Username

The default WordPress username is “admin,” which is commonly targeted by attackers. Changing the default username to something unique significantly enhances your site’s security. You can change the username by creating a new user with administrator privileges, logging in with the new user, and deleting the old “admin” account.

Steps to Change Default Username:

1. Create a New User: Go to Users > Add New in your WordPress dashboard and create a new user with administrator privileges.
2. Delete the Default User: Log out and log in with the new user, then delete the “admin” user. Assign all content to the new user.

4. Use Strong Passwords

A strong password is essential for protecting your WordPress admin area. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters to create a robust password. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.

Tips for Strong Passwords:

• Use at least 12 characters.
• Avoid using common words or easily guessable information.
• Use capital and small alphabets.
• Use special characters.
• Use numbers.

5. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Up to Date

Regular updates are crucial for maintaining the security of your WordPress website. Updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities, so it’s important to keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date. Enable automatic updates for minor releases and regularly check for major updates.

Regularly Check for Updates: Manually check for updates if auto-updates are not enabled.

6. Remove Unused Themes and Plugins

Unused themes and plugins can pose a security risk as they may not receive updates or contain vulnerabilities. Regularly review your installed themes and plugins and remove any that are no longer in use.

Steps to Remove Unused Themes and Plugins:

1. Go to Appearance > Themes: Delete any inactive themes.
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins: Deactivate and delete any plugins that are not in use.

7. Install a Reputable WordPress Security Plugin

A reputable security plugin can provide comprehensive protection for your WordPress website. One such plugin is Solid Security.

Solid Security:

Solid Security is a comprehensive WordPress security plugin designed to protect WordPress websites from various threats and vulnerabilities. It aims to provide a robust defense against hacks, malware, and other security risks by incorporating a wide range of security measures into a single, user-friendly plugin. Solid Security is built to be easy to configure and effective in securing websites of all sizes, from personal blogs to large-scale business sites.

Key Features:

1. Firewall Protection:
   • Monitors incoming traffic and blocks malicious requests.
   • Provides real-time threat detection and mitigation.
   • Customizable firewall rules to suit specific security needs.
2. Malware Scanning:
   • Regular scans for malware, vulnerabilities, and suspicious code.
   • Detailed scan reports with easy-to-understand results.
   • Automated malware removal and cleaning.
3. Brute Force Protection:
   • Limits login attempts to prevent unauthorized access.
   • Enforces strong password policies.
   • Supports CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA to thwart automated login attempts.
4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
   • Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of authentication.
   • Supports various 2FA methods, including SMS, email, and authentication apps.
   • Configurable 2FA settings for different user roles.
5. Database Security:
   • Regularly backs up the database to ensure data integrity.
   • Encrypts sensitive data stored in the database.
   • Monitors and logs database activity for suspicious actions.
6. File Integrity Monitoring:
   • Tracks changes to core WordPress files and alerts users to unauthorized modifications.
   • Allows users to restore files to their original state.
   • Provides a detailed changelog for auditing purposes.
7. Security Hardening:
   • Implements various hardening measures to secure the WordPress environment.
   • Disables file editing via the WordPress dashboard.
   • Changes default database prefixes to obscure potential attack vectors.
8. IP Blocking and Whitelisting:
   • Blocks suspicious IP addresses based on predefined rules.
   • Allows whitelisting of trusted IP addresses for uninterrupted access.
   • Integrates with third-party IP blocklists for enhanced protection.
9. Security Logging and Alerts:
   • Logs all security-related activities for review and analysis.
   • Sends real-time alerts and notifications for critical security events.
   • Provides detailed reports for compliance and auditing.
10. Regular Updates and Support:
    • Ensures compatibility with the latest WordPress versions.
    • Provides regular updates to improve security features.
    • Offers dedicated support for troubleshooting and assistance.

Pricing:

Solid Security offers a tiered pricing structure to cater to different types of users and website needs:

1. Free Version:
   • Basic WordPress security features including firewall protection, malware scanning, and brute force protection.
   • Limited support and updates.
   • Suitable for small blogs and personal websites.
2. Pro Version:
   • Starts at $99 per year.
   • Stop brute force attacks in their tracks
   • Increase user login security
   • Two-factor authentication and passwordless login
   • Scan for vulnerable plugins and themes
   • Firewall with virtual patching provided by Patchstack
   • Account registration with Passkeys
   • Priority support and regular updates.

Solid Security is an essential tool for WordPress site owners looking to ensure their website remains secure and resilient against the myriad of online threats. Its comprehensive feature set and flexible pricing make it accessible and effective for a wide range of users.

8. Change WordPress Login URL

Changing the default WordPress login URL makes it more difficult for attackers to locate your login page. Solid Security includes a feature to easily change your login URL, providing an additional layer of protection. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the login URL using the Solid Security plugin:

1. Access Solid Security Settings:
   • In the WordPress dashboard, go to Solid Security in the left-hand menu.
   • Click on Settings to access the plugin’s configuration options.
2. Navigate to the Login URL Settings:
   • Within the Solid Security settings, look for the section labeled Advanced.
   • Find the option to change the login URL. Which is Hide Backend.
3. Customize Your Login URL:
   • Enter your desired new login URL in the provided field. For example, you might change it from wp-login.php to my-login.
   • Ensure the new URL is something unique but memorable for you.
4. Save Your Changes:
   • Click the Save Changes button to apply the new login URL.
   • The plugin will update your site’s configuration to reflect the new login URL.
5. Test the New Login URL:
   • Log out of your WordPress site.
   • Try accessing your site using the new login URL (e.g., yoursite.com/my-login).
   • Make sure you can log in successfully.
6. Update Bookmarks and Inform Users:
   • Update any bookmarks you have to the old login page.
   • If you have other users on your site, inform them of the new login URL.

9. Change Database Prefix

Changing the default WordPress database prefix adds an extra layer of security by making it more difficult for attackers to guess your database table names. There are two ways to change the database prefix:

1. Solid Security:

Solid Security provides an easy-to-use option to change your database prefix without editing any files.

2. wp-config.php File:

You can manually change the database prefix by editing the wp-config.php file:

1. Open wp-config.php file.
2. Locate the line: $table_prefix = 'wp_';
3. Change wp_ to a unique prefix, e.g., xyz_.
4. Update your database tables to reflect this change.

10. Disable File Editing

Disabling file editing prevents unauthorized users from modifying theme and plugin files through the WordPress dashboard.

1. Solid Security:

Solid Security can disable file editing through its settings panel.

2. wp-config.php File:

Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

11. Schedule Site Scanning

Regular scans can detect vulnerabilities and malware. Solid Security allows you to schedule automatic site scans and receive alerts if issues are found.

12. Add Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password. Solid Security supports 2FA, making it easy to implement.

13. Limit Login Attempts with Reputable Plugin

Limiting the number of login attempts helps prevent brute force attacks. The Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin offers this feature along with several other enhancements.

Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE):

ASE is a versatile plugin that enhances the security and functionality of your WordPress site.

• Key Features:
  • Limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
  • Disable XML-RPC to block remote access.
  • Customizable login security measures.
  • Dashboard enhancements for improved user experience.
• Pricing: Free version available with essential features. Premium plans start at $19 per year and $49 Life Time.

14. Disable XML-RPC

XML-RPC is a protocol that allows remote access to your WordPress site. It’s often exploited by hackers, so it’s best to disable it if you don’t use it.

Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) Plugin:

ASE provides an option to disable XML-RPC, enhancing your site’s security.

15. Backup Database and Website with Reputable Backup Plugin

Regular backups are essential for recovering your site in case of a security breach or other issues. WPvivid Backup is a reputable plugin that simplifies the backup process.

WPvivid Backup:

WPvivid Backup is a powerful plugin designed to create and manage backups of your WordPress site.

• Key Features:
  • Full Site Backups: Backs up your entire site, including the database and files.
  • Scheduled Backups: Allows you to schedule automatic backups at regular intervals.
  • Cloud Storage Integration: Supports various cloud storage services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3.
  • Easy Restoration: Simplifies the process of restoring your site from a backup.

• Pricing: WPvivid Backup offers a free version with essential features. The premium version includes advanced features and starts at $49 per year and $99 Life Time.

Conclusion

Securing your WordPress site requires a multi-faceted approach, involving careful selection of hosting, regular updates, strong passwords, and the use of WordPress security plugins. By following the steps outlined in this guide—ranging from choosing a secure hosting provider to implementing advanced security measures like two-factor authentication and regular backups—you can significantly enhance your website’s security.