The internet is an essential part of our lives, and WordPress, as the most popular content management system (CMS), supports millions of websites worldwide. However, this popularity also makes WordPress a prime target for cyber attacks. Neglecting security exposes your website to significant risks. In this article, we will discuss the most common security mistakes that jeopardise the integrity of a WordPress website and show you how to avoid them.
1. Insecure WordPress installation
A fundamental security flaw is ignoring important security settings during installation. To minimise risks, you should consider the following:
- Avoid the default username admin.
- Choose a secure password with a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to further protect your account.
2. Use of insecure themes and plugins
Insecure or cracked (nulled) themes and plugins are one of the most common entry points for malware. To protect yourself:
- Only install themes and plugins from trusted sources (e.g. the official WordPress repository).
- Regularly update WordPress, plugins, and themes.
- Use security plugins like Wordfence to perform malware scans.
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3. Misconfiguration of security files
The files wp-config.php and .htaccess play a central role in WordPress security. Incorrect configurations of these files can make your website vulnerable. Recommended measures:
🗹 Set security rules in the .htaccess file to prevent unauthorized access.
🗹 Restrict permissions for these files.
File permissions and directory access
To ensure the security of your WordPress installation, you should set the correct permissions for files and directories:
- Files: Most WordPress files should have a permission of 644, while sensitive files like wp-config.php should be set to 400 or 440.
- Directories: By default, directories should have permission 755 to allow read and write access only for the owner.
For more information, you can read the WordPress documentation at this link: Changing File Permissions
By properly configuring these permissions, you prevent unauthorized access and potential security vulnerabilities.
5. Insecure Database
The WordPress database contains sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. To avoid SQL injection attacks:
- Use
wpdb->prepare(), to execute SQL commands securely. - Limit database permissions to the necessary minimum.
- Use a custom table prefix to make attacks more difficult.
6. Missing regular backups
One of the most serious mistakes is the lack of backups. In the event of an attack or technical issues, only a backup can save the website. Recommended measures:
- Use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator.
- Store backups outside the web server, e.g. in the cloud or on external storage media.
- Set up automatic backups.
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7. No use of CDN and Cloudflare
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare can not only improve loading speed but also enhance security:
- Protection against DDoS attacks.
- Hiding the real server IP address.
- Faster loading times through distributed servers.
8. Ignoring WordPress security features
WordPress offers numerous security features that many website operators do not utilise. To protect your website, you should:
- Enable automatic updates for WordPress, plugins, and themes.
- Limit user rights sensibly to avoid unnecessary permissions.
Summary
The security of your WordPress website is not a one-time task, but a continuous process. Weak passwords, missing updates, insecure plugins, and incorrect file configurations can jeopardise the integrity of your website. By implementing these measures, you can protect your website against cyber attacks and ensure a secure user experience.
What guidelines are there for the future?
We intend to publish articles on the topic of security in WordPress in the future. If you don't want to miss these guides, sign up for our newsletter.
