How to Secure a WordPress Website – The Ultimate Guide
WordPress is the most popular and free blogging platform online. It is a popular choice with bloggers who want to post regularly and attract visitors to their site. It is a great choice for those who want to create a professional looking blog in no time at all.
However, despite its popularity, security issues have arisen as more and more people have started using WordPress for their sites. Not only does WordPress offer no security by default, but it also doesn’t offer enough features for the average user. This article will discuss how you can easily secure a WordPress site so that you can enjoy the benefits of a popular blogging platform without the risk of getting hacked.
The Most Popular And Free Blogging Platform
WordPress is one of the most popular and widely used blogging platforms online, and it’s free. It was originally designed for blogging, but it has since evolved to include more features, such as a CRM system, web store, and online community. WordPress also allows for plugins, or third-party additions, that can further enhance your blogging experience. Most importantly, WordPress is completely free, which means you need not worry about payment processing fees as with some other blogging platforms.
WordPress is a great option for those who want to blog regularly. It is extremely easy to set up and use, and it provides basic functionalities that almost all bloggers will find useful. If you’re looking for a free blogging platform, WordPress is the best choice because it is highly supported and has a large community of users who can provide helpful tips and tricks.
Why Should You Worry About Website Security?
As the manager of a WordPress site, you have the responsibility to keep your site safe and secure. You must ensure that your site is not vulnerable to hackers, malware, or other malicious actors. The best way to do this is by taking the time to learn about Internet security and the risks that arise from not securing your site. Here are the top five reasons why you should worry about website security:
1. Cybersecurity Is An Evolving Art.
Cybersecurity issues arise from the online world, and it is constantly changing as new technologies emerge and existing ones become more sophisticated. This makes it challenging for website owners to keep abreast of the latest security trends and best practices. The more you know, the better a decision maker you will be in the event of a security breach. Keep in mind that new malware and hacking tactics emerge daily and that traditional anti-virus and firewall software can’t always protect you from hacks or malware that are specifically crafted to avoid being detected by security software.
2. The Number Of Site Attacks Is On The Rise.
According to the WISTA-PROTECT 2017 survey, 62% of businesses have experienced a security breach, and 48% of those businesses have experienced multiple breaches. That’s a lot of damage already! And that’s just what we know about. We can assume the numbers are even higher for smaller businesses because many of them don’t feel comfortable talking about security issues. If you’re a business owner or in charge of a business-related website, you need to become more aware of security issues and the risks that arise from them. Take the time to study breach records and learn about the damage that can be done by hackers. Then, create a plan to prevent future attacks.
3. Hackers Are Striving To Break Into Websites.
In simpler terms, hackers want to break into your website and steal your information. Sounds scary, right? Well, it is. The information on your website, whether it is financial or personal information, can be highly damaging or even fatal if it gets into the wrong hands. That’s why it is essential that you take the time to secure your website against hackers. There are many different ways that hackers can get into your site. They may try to insert a virus into one of your blog posts, take advantage of a software glitch, or even create a backdoor into your site’s main folder. Whatever the method, they are out to get you!
Hackers want your information, and they will stop at nothing to get it. Make sure to take the time to learn about the different ways that hackers can get into your site. Then, you can formulate a plan to prevent future attacks.
4. Customers Have Access To A Lot Of Personal Information.
Even if you use good security practices, there is always the risk of a security breach. Hackers can get into your site, steal your customers’ personal information, and use it against them. If a hacker finds a way into your site, they can access your customer’s names, email addresses, phone numbers, payment details, and even their personal photos. In most cases, customers have no idea that their personal information is out there and for the taking. They may not even be aware that their information has been compromised.
This is why it is essential that you educate your customers about the risks of having their personal information on your site. You can use a tool like Hello Monday to create personalized emails to send to your customers. With these emails, you can tell your customers that their information is safe and that you are taking the proper measures to protect their data.
5. The Financial Incentives For Hackers Are On The Rise.
Due to the increasing role that cybersecurity plays in everyday life, more and more people are developing a financial motive to break into your site. According to the WISTA-PROTECT 2017 survey, 40% of businesses have had a cyberattack, and nearly one-quarter of those businesses have had to shut down. And it’s not just businesses that are feeling the economic effects. Last year, the average American suffered $16,000 in damage due to cybercrime, which was equal to about two weeks of the average household’s monthly income.
Cyberattacks aren’t just a burden to businesses. They’re also a huge security risk to home users. Last year, an estimated 28.5 million American adults used online shopping platforms, such as Amazon and eBay, which means that they have the digital resources to spend money online. With the number of people using digital wallets and paying for goods and services online continuing to grow, it would be a missed opportunity if businesses don’t take cybersecurity more seriously.
How Do I Secure A WordPress Site?
There are several different ways to secure a WordPress site. First, you can choose to install a premium version of WordPress that contains some basic security features or options. You can also choose to install a brand-new copy of WordPress on a separate server. This secures your site from attacks by malware or hackers, as separate servers are less likely to be infected than a desktop copy of WordPress.
As the owner of a WordPress site, your primary responsibility is to keep your site secure. You must take the time to learn about internet security and the risks that arise from not securing your site. There are several different ways that hackers can get into your site, so you must have a plan in place to prevent future attacks. Ensure that you educate your customers about the risks of having their personal information on your site. Then, you can protect your customers’ personal information and your site’s security by taking the following steps:
Install Latest Updates
If there are security updates for WordPress, you must ensure that you install them as soon as they’re available. You can find the security updates for WordPress here. Make sure to install all of the available updates for WordPress, including those for the widely used anti-virus and firewall protection software. Installing updates frequently reduces the amount of malware and hacking attempts that are directed at your site. Installing security updates is essential because they make your site more secure against upcoming threats. If you’re not sure whether or not an update is necessary, ask a tech support representative for help.
Take Regular Backups
It’s essential that you have a data backup plan in place, and you must follow it. Make sure to back up your site regularly, and don’t wait until something happens to make a backup. Backing up your site isn’t something that you need to do regularly. However, it’s crucial that you do it as soon as possible after making changes to ensure that you have a copy of your site if something happens. Regular backups help ensure that your site is secure and can be restored quickly if needed.