WordPress is one of the most popular blogging platforms nowadays. The greatest thing about this platform is the flexibility it offers to its users. As such a flexible blogging solution, WordPress can serve as a hosting platform for both personal blogs and company websites. Either way, all WordPress users have one thing in common – security concerns.
WordPress developers are consistently working on improving the security of the platform. Yet, despite all their efforts, hackers are still able to find vulnerabilities in the system. Like any other location on the internet, WordPress sites can easily get compromised. Vulnerabilities in the hosting platform, weak login information, or infected WordPress themes can cause security risks.
Many WordPress site owners are still unaware of the security dangers online. They neglect online security measures until it’s too late. To make sure you don’t have to learn things the hard way, we have prepared five essential security tips that each WordPress owner should be familiar with.
#1 Secure Your Devices
A safe device means a safe website. It’s as simple as that. Accessing your WordPress site via unprotected devices can create that unwanted gap in your security system. As soon as hackers spot this gap, your site will become their primary target. Thus, make sure that each device you use to log into your site is entirely secure by installing anti-virus software.
Set up a firewall on your computer and don’t forget that mobile devices need protection too. The market is full of affordable virus protection programs available for Android and iOS devices. Keep in mind that these programs can make a huge difference in your security system.
#2 Choose Reliable Themes and Plugins Only
Using unofficial themes and plugins can leave your site vulnerable to security threats. To avoid installing malware on your site, make sure you only download official WordPress themes and add-ons. Try to manage your plugins on a regular basis and delete the ones you’re not using. Lowering the number of installed plugins on your site will decrease the risk of potential security threats.
Another way to protect your WordPress website is to make sure all your plugins are secure. To do this, check the date of the specific plugin or theme you want to install. If the date is not recent, it means the product hasn’t been updated in a while. The lack of updates makes the plugin an easy target for hackers, which is why you don’t want to install such plugins to your site.
#3 Choose a Reliable Hosting Company
Vulnerabilities in the hosting platform are often the reason why many WordPress sites crash or get hacked. This kind of security breaches usually happen to the cheapest hosting providers, as they don’t pay too much attention to site security. Even though their affordable offers sound attractive, settling for a cheap hosting service is not a smart move in the long run. Therefore, make sure to choose a reliable hosting company that can tailor their services to suit your needs. Do some research to find the most popular and the most recommended hosting companies on the market. We have just recently reviewed Kinsta which might be a perfect choice for you.
#4 Strengthen Your Passwords
Improving login information is one of the easiest ways to ensure higher security for your WordPress site. In fact, this step is so simple and obvious that most people end up neglecting it, which is a huge mistake.
Failing to set up a strong password means that you are making it easy for hackers to exploit your website. Instead of waiting for it to be too late, think of a better password right now. Make sure the password includes a combination of capital letters and numbers as well. If you want to take your site’s security to the next level, try to change the login password every two weeks and never use these bad passwords.
#5 Use a Virtual Private Network
Last but not least, a VPN or a Virtual Private Network can help you keep your website information secure. A VPN service encrypts the connection between your device and the server, making your data invisible to third parties. It’s especially important to activate a VPN when you want to access your website through public networks and insecure hotspots. Thanks to the Virtual Private Network encryption tunnel, no one will be able to access your credentials and other sensitive data
Improve the Security of Your Site Now!
The most important thing when it comes to securing your website and data online is consistency. If you haven’t already implemented all five tips on this list, stop wasting time and secure your website as soon as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to use a reliable VPN service when using your laptop or phone logging into your site via public networks. Once you have secured your WordPress site, maintain your new security system regularly. Don’t let your business fall off track!