How to Configure cPanel for Hosting WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems used by bloggers around the world. It is extremely flexible and easy to use, and a large number of plugins are available to extend its functionality.

However, installing WordPress to host websites is not as easy as it might seem. If you’re looking to set up a WordPress-based store or blog, you need to consider a few technical details that can help ensure a stable and stress-free experience for your users.

Security Updates

One of the most important things to consider when setting up a WordPress-based website is security updates. As the name would suggest, WordPress is one of the most popular open source projects on the web, and as such, it is constantly updated with security patches to protect against potential threats. While these updates can be accessed and installed via the WordPress dashboard, you should consider installing a managed WordPress hosting plan so that you can easily apply the latest security patches as they are released.

Proactively Monitoring Threats

Threats come in many forms, and one of the most prevalent ones in the WordPress community is spam. Spam is entirely preventable, as it usually comes from automated software that is programmed to use brute force to gain access to user accounts. The easiest way to prevent spam is from installing the Wordfence free plugin for WordPress, which utilizes a variety of methods to protect your content from being spammed. Some of these methods include:

• blocking suspected spammers by IP address;
• implementing captcha (usually reCAPTCHA) to prevent spammy bots from hijacking your account; and
• setting up a dedicated spam folder where your unsolicited communications are stored for later reference.

These methods are effective in preventing spam, but you should consider that they might also prevent you from submitting useful content to your blog or website. If you find that your blog is frequently rated as a poor quality spot on the web due to the large amount of spam, you can implement one of these methods and see if it helps improve the situation. If so, great! Or, if you’d rather not use a plugin and prefer to handle spam manually, you can do so in the WordPress dashboard by clicking on the “Spam” button.

Regular Backups

Backing up your website is simple enough. When you host your site with a reputable company, they will ensure that your content is backed up regularly. If you are looking for an all-in-one hosting plan that automatically backs up your site on a daily basis, you can explore several options as there are several reputable companies that offer this service. Keep in mind though that regularly scheduled backups are only necessary if you are running a business that relies heavily on the website for online transactions or sales.

Using HSTS and HTTPS

The initial URL of your website, as well as all of its subdomains (the hostname followed by.com,.net, or.org) must always be served over HTTPS. Once you have activated this protocol for the main domain, you need to do the same for all subdomains in order to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks that could compromise your security. A compromised SSL certificate would leave your site open to hackers and malware distributors, who could potentially steal your users’ personal information as you transacted over the web.

Installing WordPress to a Separate Directory

Separating the installation of WordPress to a different directory reduces the risk of system-wide conflicts when multiple versions are installed. If you are following a standard WordPress installation guide, you will be asked to create a directory in which to store all of the WordPress files. While it is not mandatory to separate the installation of WordPress to a different directory, it is a good idea. Doing so can help prevent any conflicts that might result from a botched installation or upgrade. In addition, separating WordPress files from those of other applications reduces the risk of data loss due to cross-platform file corruption. If you host your site with a reputable company, they will provide you with a separate login for WordPress so that you can exclusively use this platform to manage your content.

Regular Maintenance Task

WordPress has a very large following due to its flexibility and popularity, which has resulted in lots of third-party plugins that can enhance its functionality. While this is great for the community, it also means that there are a large number of plugins that can eat up a significant amount of your time without providing any real benefits to your site’s functionality. A good rule of thumb is to only consider using plugins that are either created by the developers of WordPress or that have a significant number of active users. This will help ensure that the plugin continues to receive updates and that it is actively being maintained by its developers. Alternatively, consider creating your own plugins to supplement those provided by WordPress.

Monitoring Caffeine Content

Caffeine is a performance-increasing agent that can be found in drinks with caffeine, such as coffee and tea. While it might not seem like something that needs to be monitored, caffeine is actually quite harmful to your mental health when consumed in excess. The best way to monitor your caffeine intake is by using a dedicated caffeine tracking app, such as Caffeine Meter which can be downloaded to your smartphone. This app will help you keep track of how much caffeine you are consuming on a daily basis, and it will allow you to set daily limits for yourself in terms of how much caffeine you are willing to consume. When you reach your daily limit, the app will sound an alarm so that you can stop consuming caffeine before heading into a state of extreme nervousness or anxiety. This app is also able to analyze the quality of the caffeine that you consume, so if you are consuming poor-quality caffeine, you will experience negative effects more rapidly than if you were consuming high-quality caffeine.

Using SSL for Admin Panel Access

One of the most critical parts of a WordPress website is the admin panel, which enables the site owner to make changes to content, settings, and other aspects of the site. This admin panel is only accessible via an SSL secured (https://) connection. When a user clicks on the lock icon to the right of the address bar, they will see a green padlock with a key icon next to it. If you have accessed the admin panel on your site and saved your login information, the user will be prompted to enter their username and password upon next opening of the panel. An unsecured (http://) connection will not have this protection applied, so if you’re not sure whether or not your admin panel is secured, click on the padlock icon to test it out.

Once you have ensured the security of your admin panel, you can take a few minutes to test out your login credentials to make sure that they are working correctly. If you can log in with no problem, great! If not, take a look at the plugin directory of your WordPress website to see if there are any known issues with your login details. You can also search for a plugin that enables two factor authentication, as this will further protect your account should a hacker or other intruder try and access your admin panel.

Once you have implemented these changes, you should revisit your site’s security settings and ensure that the settings adhere to what you just set them to. If you are still experiencing issues, double check your WordPress installation for known vulnerabilities and ensure that you update your software and reboot as soon as possible. Regularly cleaning up cookies, disabling plugins that you no longer need, and installing updated versions of WordPress and other applications are also simple enough tasks that can be done regularly in order to maintain a secure and stable website.