Is your WordPress security sufficient?

Want to make sure your WordPress website is protected from hacking attacks? In this blog article we explain how you can effectively secure the world’s most used content management system. We offer practical tips and strategies to ensure a safe online experience for both you and your visitors.

How secure is WordPress really?

WordPress is generally considered a robust content management system. Nevertheless, thousands of WordPress websites fall victim to hacker attacks every year. Why is that? WordPress is the most widely used CMS worldwide. This popularity makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals such as hackers. The main reasons for successful attacks are often outdated core systems or a plugin and so-called SQL injections that can compromise your database. It’s important to be aware that no system is completely secure, but there are numerous measures you can take to increase the security of your WordPress website.

Why the security of your WordPress website should not be neglected

The consequences of a hacker attack on your WordPress website can be serious. In addition to the enormous amount of time required to resolve the issue, such as taking the website offline and checking the server and system, you will also suffer lost revenue. The flow of visitors is interrupted and potential customer inquiries are not received. In the worst case scenario, customer trust, which has been painstakingly built up, suffers and your company’s brand value is damaged. Do you need professional assistance with your website maintenance and security? Our special maintenance service will be happy to help you.

Security gaps – simple but important tips

What is SSL and why is it important?

SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and is a security protocol that enables encrypted data exchange between a web server and an end user’s browser. When a website uses SSL, the URL changes from “http://” to “https://” and most web browsers display a lock icon indicating the secured connection. The main function of SSL is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the transmitted data. It protects sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords and personal data exchanged between the server and the browser from access by third parties. This is particularly important for websites that facilitate online transactions or the collection of personal information. Likewise, SSL also improves the authenticity of a website. By using an SSL certificate, the website confirms its identity to visitors, which increases trust in the website and its services. In today’s world, SSL is essential for more than just e-commerce websites or websites that handle sensitive information. It is a generally accepted “best practice” for all websites and is considered as a ranking factor by search engines such as Google. Therefore, implementing SSL is an important step in improving the security and credibility of your WordPress website.

Individual database table prefix: Another building block for a secure WordPress installation

In a WordPress installation, the database table prefix is ​​a short text string that is placed before the name of all tables in the WordPress database. By default, WordPress uses the “wp_” prefix, which means that all tables start with this prefix (e.g. wp_users, wp_posts, etc.). However, using the default prefix may pose a security risk. Attackers using SQL injection techniques could leverage knowledge of this standard prefix to carry out targeted attacks on your database. By changing the table prefix to something unique and unpredictable, you make it harder for attackers to guess the structure of your database and carry out successful attacks. Note that changing the prefix on an existing installation is more complex and requires customization of the pre-existing tables in the database. Therefore, it is best to make this change on a new installation or be very careful on an existing installation to avoid data loss. Overall, using a custom database table prefix is ​​a simple but effective way to increase the security of your WordPress website.

Importance of Root Directory for Securing Your WordPress Website

The root directory is the main folder where all the core parts of your WordPress installation are stored. Here you will find essential files and folder structures such as wp-config.php, wp-admin and wp-content. Because of the critical information and settings stored in these files, the root directory is a central point when it comes to the security of your WordPress website. An inadequately secured root directory can be an easy target for attackers. They could attempt to access configuration files to extract sensitive information such as database credentials or insert malicious code. Therefore, it is important to take certain safety measures:  

• File Permissions: Make sure the file permissions are set correctly. Typically, folders should have permission 755 and files should have permission 644. The first digit represents the owner’s permissions, the second represents the group’s permissions, and the third represents all other users’ permissions. The permissions themselves are represented as the sum of the Read (4), Write (2), and Execute (1) values. 755 for folders: This means that the owner can read, write and execute (4+2+1=7), while the group and all other users can only read and execute (4+1=5). 644 for files: The owner can read and write (4+2=6), while the group and everyone else can only read (4).

• Access Restrictions: Use .htaccess rules or web server configurations to limit access to critical files.

• Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor the root directory for unwanted changes or suspicious activity.

• Backups: Perform regular backups of the root directory to allow for quick recovery in the event of an attack.

By paying attention to these points, you can minimize the risk of your root being compromised and therefore increase the overall security of your WordPress website.

Up-to-dateness as the key to security

Why you should always use the latest WordPress version

Using the latest version of WordPress is a crucial factor in keeping your website secure. Each software update typically brings a number of improvements, ranging from new features to bug fixes and security patches. Security updates in particular are of utmost importance as they close known security gaps and therefore minimize the risk of a successful attack on your website.  

• Fixing security vulnerabilities: Older versions of WordPress may have known security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Updates close these gaps and protect your website from various types of attacks.
• Improved features: In addition to security considerations, updates often also bring new or improved features that can improve the overall performance and usability of your website.
• Compatibility: Current WordPress versions are usually more compatible with the latest versions of plugins and themes. This is important because plugins and themes can also pose potential security risks if they are not updated regularly.
• Legal Considerations: In the event of a data leak or other security breach, you could be in a better position legally if you can prove that your software is up to date.

Updating WordPress regularly is a simple but effective step to increase the security of your website. It is advisable to create a full backup of your website before any update to allow for quick recovery in case of compatibility issues or other unexpected events.  

Current PHP version as the cornerstone of WordPress security

Using a current PHP version is another important aspect of ensuring the security of your WordPress website. PHP is the server-side scripting language that WordPress is based on, and it plays a crucial role in the functionality and security of your website. Here are some reasons why updating PHP version is important for the security of your WordPress website:

• Security patches: Similar to WordPress itself, security gaps in PHP are regularly discovered and closed. An outdated PHP version may contain known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
• Performance Improvement: Newer PHP versions typically offer better performance, which not only improves the speed of your website but also uses server resources more efficiently. A faster and more efficient server is generally harder to compromise.
• Compatibility: Current WordPress versions are optimized for newer PHP versions. Using an outdated version of PHP can lead to compatibility issues, which in turn could open security holes.
• Support and Updates: Older PHP versions will eventually become unsupported, meaning security updates will no longer be provided for them. This makes them an ideal target for attackers.
• Advanced Security Features: Newer PHP versions may provide enhanced security features not available in older versions. These features can provide additional layers of protection against common attack vectors such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting.

  However, updating the PHP version should be done with caution. It is important to conduct thorough testing before updating and ensure that all your plugins and themes are compatible with the new version. A full backup before updating is also strongly recommended. If you need support, this is our maintenance service the right thing for you.

Themes and Plugins – Updates are important

Just like updating the WordPress core, it is crucial to always use the latest versions of plugins and themes. Updates to these components often close identified security vulnerabilities, thereby minimizing the risk of a successful attack. An important note: Be sure to perform a full backup of your website before any update. It is also advisable to disable the automatic update function for plugins. This allows you to independently review each new version before implementing it. Checking weekly for available updates and then checking the functionality of the website is a wise approach. This means you don’t blindly rely on the system and minimize the risk of suddenly being confronted with a non-functioning website.  

Properly secure the WordPress backend/admin area

Passwords and Usernames - A major vulnerability

Using strong passwords and usernames is a fundamental but often overlooked aspect of WordPress security. This authentication credential is your first line of defense against unauthorized access and is therefore critically important. To increase security, passwords should contain a combination of letters, numbers and special characters and be changed regularly. Avoid obvious usernames like “admin” or your website name. Some security plugins for WordPress also offer two-factor authentication (2FA) as an additional layer of security. The security for your WordPress system is significantly improved by this two-factor authentication. Even if the password is discovered, an unauthorized user without access to the second factor (e.g. smartphone or email) cannot access the account.

Pay attention to login attempts

We also recommend limiting login attempts on your WordPress website. This measure causes an IP address to be automatically blocked as soon as incorrect login details have been repeatedly entered. Here too, there are plugins that come in handy. If an IP address is blocked, you will receive a notification by email. IP addresses can also be blocked or unlocked manually. This gives you full control over access to your website. In order to prevent unwanted access, this possibility should be considered.

Secure plugins and themes

To ensure the security of your WordPress website, it is recommended that you only use plugins, extensions and themes from safe sources. Unsafe tools can contain malware, leading to data loss, unauthorized access to personal information, or even the spread of malware to your visitors’ computers. Trusted sources also offer regular updates to offer new functions, but also to close security gaps. Support also indicates a trustworthy source; free or unsafe plugins usually lack this and this can lead to difficulties in troubleshooting. Security problems are inevitable. It can also have SEO disadvantages because Google and other search engines can e.g. B. punish with malware, which can lead to a significant loss in ranking. Invest in established, well-reviewed and regularly updated products to protect your website and visitors.

Always have backups

Regular backups are extremely important to secure your website. They protect e.g. B. against data loss due to technical errors. If your website is hacked or malware appears in your system, your site can be restored to its previous state. Plugins or other tools can also sometimes cause problems. Before updating, it is a good idea to create a backup so that you can continue to use your website if a problem occurs. If something is accidentally deleted, you can avoid something worse. In some cases, the legal framework requires keeping regular backups. So you are on the safe side. Ideally, automated backups should be set up and stored on a separate server from your website.   Securing a WordPress site is by no means an insurmountable hurdle. With cyber threats on the rise, it is essential to prepare for potential hacker attacks. Here are the key points for ensuring robust security for your WordPress installation:  

• Secure access to the admin area using strong authentication methods.
• Implement a regular backup routine so that you can have a clean version of your website in case of an emergency.
• Ensure that WordPress and all installed plugins and themes are always up to date.
• Restrict access to critical system files to prevent unauthorized access.