How to Secure Your WordPress Website

With WordPress powering over 40% of websites worldwide, it’s a prime target for cyber attacks. Hackers exploit vulnerabilities to steal data, inject malware, or take sites offline. Securing your WordPress website is essential for protecting your business, your customers, and your brand reputation. In this article, we’ll explore actionable steps to strengthen your WordPress security.
Take steps to secure your website

Common Security Threats to WordPress Websites

Before we get started, let’s understand what some of the key threats your website faces. From brute-force attacks to SQL injections, cyber threats are constantly evolving, targeting vulnerabilities in websites. Understanding these common threats is the first step in safeguarding your site and ensuring its continued reliability.

  • Outdated Software – Outdated plugins, themes, or WordPress core files create vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.  This is the number 1 reason why WordPress sites get hacked! If you address one thing only, make sure it is this!
  • Brute-Force Attacks – Hackers use automated tools to guess login credentials, trying thousands of username and password combinations until they gain access.
  • Malware and Ransomware – Cybercriminals often inject malicious code into websites, compromising functionality or demanding ransom payments to restore access.  The route in is typically outdated plugins, themes and core files.
  • SQL Injection – SQL injections occur when attackers manipulate your website’s database to steal sensitive data or gain control of your site.

Outdated plugins and themes are a leading cause of WordPress site hacks.

In 2021, 99.42% of vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem originated from these components, with plugins accounting for 92.81% and themes 6.61%.

Additionally, 42% of WordPress sites have at least one vulnerable component installed, further increasing the risk of exploitation.

Why Security Is Crucial for Your Business

Securing your website is critical to safeguarding your business and building trust with your customers. A well-maintained site not only operates smoothly and efficiently but also protects against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Regular maintenance is about more than just appearances—it’s about fortifying your digital presence, ensuring user safety, and staying ahead of evolving security standards. 

  • Protect Customer Trust – Customers are less likely to engage with a site they perceive as unsafe. A secure site builds confidence and loyalty.
  • Avoid Financial Loss – Recovering from a cyberattack can be costly, especially if it involves downtime or data restoration.
  • Enhance SEO Rankings – Search engines prioritize secure sites. Having an SSL certificate and robust security measures can positively impact your SEO performance.

Steps to Secure Your WordPress Website

1 – Keep WordPress Updated

Regular updates patch known vulnerabilities in WordPress core, themes, and plugins.  If you do one thing, make sure it is this and eliminate 99% of all risks to your site!!

  • Automate Updates: Today, WordPress allows the automated update of plugins and themes.  This article explains in detail how to enable this. Alternatively, you can consider plugins such as Easy Updates Manager which gives you more control.
  • WordPress core: these files are typically managed and maintained by your hosting partner, and include updates to the PHP framework and database.  Don’t forget to ensure they do this for you!.

2- USE Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Using weak passwords is like leaving your house front door unlocked. Do you think your password is secure? Check on Have I Been Pwnd – you might be surprised!

  • Strong Passwords: Use complex passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.  Your browser can be used to suggest strong passwords and securely store them for you.
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time code to log in. Today, WordPress does not add this feature but you can yourself through a number of plugins including WordPress 2FA

3 – Install a Security Plugin

For additional comfort, you could consider adding a security plugins to provide a comprehensive defence against threats by monitoring your site and blocking attacks.

  • Wordfence Security: Offers a robust firewall, malware scanning, and login protection.
  • Sucuri Security: Includes website monitoring, malware cleanup, and performance optimization.

4 – Back Up Your Website Regularly

Backups ensure that if your site is hacked or data is lost, you can quickly restore it to a working version.  This is something which your hosting partner should have covered.  However, if that is not the case or you want more control than is offered by them consider plugins such as UpdraftPlus which can allow you you to store your backup away from your hosting partner (for example in OneDrive or Google Drive or download).

5 – Use SSL Encryption

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypts data transferred between your website and users, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details.

  • How to Implement: Many hosting providers, like Flywheel, offer free SSL certificates with their plans.

Why Choose Digiphore as your Website Management team?

We understand the challenges business owners face, from limited time to technical expertise. That’s why we offer tailored website maintenance packages that ensure your site stays fast, secure, and up-to-date.

What you get with our service:

  • Weekly updates for your WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
  • 24/7 monitoring to identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate.
  • Monthly performance reports, so you can see the impact of our work.

Conclusion

Securing your WordPress website is not optional—it’s essential. By implementing strong passwords, installing security plugins, and keeping your site updated, you can protect your business and customers from cyber threats. With Digiphore’s expert support, you can focus on growing your business while we keep your site safe.

Migrate to Digiphore for FREE

Migrating your WordPress to Digiphore for better website management and growth is simple and quick – typically just a few days!

Contact us

Although we really love the internet,
we’re even nicer on the phone!

We’d be delighted to discuss how we can help to get your small business online. Click on the link to let us know you’re interested, and we’ll do the rest.

Meet

Click to book a discovery call

Email us

hello@digiphore.com

Call us

+44 (0) 1438 940779