Introduction: Why WordPress Security Is Not Optional
WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, making it the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world.
Unfortunately, that popularity also makes it a prime target for hackers.
From brute-force login attempts and malware injections to plugin vulnerabilities and phishing attacks — WordPress websites are under constant threat.
But here’s the good news: most WordPress hacks are preventable with the right security practices.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to secure your WordPress website from hackers using proven, up-to-date best practices.
Why Hackers Target WordPress Sites
WordPress sites get targeted because:
- The platform is widely used (huge attack surface)
- Many users don’t update plugins or core files
- Common passwords and admin usernames are often left unchanged
- Poor hosting or weak security configurations expose vulnerabilities
👉 Whether you’re running a blog, an e-commerce store, or a business website — if your site gets hacked, it can result in:
- Stolen customer data
- Blacklisted domains on Google
- SEO rankings tanking overnight
- Loss of trust and revenue
1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated
Outdated software is the #1 reason WordPress sites get hacked.
Best Practices:
- Always update WordPress core as soon as a new version is released
- Delete unused themes and plugins
- Only use themes and plugins from trusted developers
📌 Pro Tip: Turn on automatic updates for minor releases, but manually test major updates to prevent conflicts.
📖 Resource: WordPress Official Update Guide
2. Use Strong Login Credentials
Many brute-force attacks succeed because of weak usernames or passwords.
What You Should Do:
- Avoid using “admin” as a username
- Use a strong password (12+ characters, mix of symbols, numbers, and cases)
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection
🔐 Recommended Plugin: WP 2FA
3. Install a Reliable WordPress Security Plugin
A good security plugin monitors for threats, blocks malicious traffic, and alerts you when something goes wrong.
Top Security Plugins:
- Wordfence Security – Real-time threat detection, firewall, login protection
- iThemes Security – Malware scanning, 404 detection, brute-force protection
- Sucuri Security – Malware scanning and firewall
📌 Choose one — running multiple can cause conflicts.
4. Limit Login Attempts
WordPress allows unlimited login attempts by default — making brute-force attacks easier.
Fix:
- Use a plugin like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded
- Lock users out after 3–5 failed attempts
- Set alerts for suspicious login activity
5. Change the WordPress Login URL
The default login URL (/wp-login.php) is widely known and often targeted by bots.
Secure Alternative:
Use plugins like WPS Hide Login to change your login URL to something unique.
Example:yourdomain.com/wp-login.php → yourdomain.com/domiz-login-access
6. Secure Your Hosting Environment
Not all hosting is created equal. Poor hosting leaves your site vulnerable — even if you follow best practices.
What to Look for in Secure Hosting:
- Server-side firewalls and malware scanning
- Daily backups
- DDoS protection
- PHP version management
🔒 Recommended Hosts:
7. Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates
SSL encrypts data between your site and visitors. Google also ranks HTTPS sites higher than HTTP.
Steps:
- Install a free SSL certificate via Let’s Encrypt (many hosts support this)
- Force HTTPS using your security plugin or
.htaccess
🔗 Check your SSL: SSL Labs Test Tool
8. Regularly Backup Your Website
Backups won’t stop a hack — but they save your site in case one occurs.
Backup Best Practices:
- Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault
- Store backups off-site (Google Drive, Dropbox, AWS)
- Automate daily or weekly backups
🧠 Related: Best Practices for Mobile-First Web Design
9. Disable XML-RPC (If Not Needed)
xmlrpc.php is a file in WordPress that allows remote access to your site — and is often exploited by bots.
Solution:
- Disable XML-RPC completely via security plugins or
.htaccess - Or restrict it using tools like Disable XML-RPC
10. Hide WordPress Version Number
Hackers use your WordPress version to target known vulnerabilities.
Hide It:
Add the following line to your theme’s functions.php:
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');
Or use a security plugin to automate this.
11. Disable File Editing in Dashboard
By default, WordPress lets admin users edit plugin and theme files directly from the dashboard — dangerous if compromised.
Disable It:
Add this line to your wp-config.php file:
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
✅ This small tweak prevents attackers from injecting malicious code through the backend editor.
12. Set Proper File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions can expose sensitive files to unauthorized access.
Recommended Permissions:
- Folders:
755 - Files:
644 - Never leave files as
777
📌 You can set these through your hosting panel or an FTP client.
13. Monitor User Activity
If your site has multiple users (e.g., blog authors, contributors), keep an eye on what’s happening.
Tools:
Track:
- Login/logout activity
- Plugin changes
- Content edits
14. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A WAF filters out malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
Options include:
- Cloudflare (free & paid WAF)
- Sucuri Firewall
- Wordfence Premium
💡 Bonus: WAFs also protect against DDoS attacks and SQL injection.
Real-World Story: WordPress Hack Recovery
A Nairobi-based NGO approached DomizWebs after a sudden drop in Google rankings. Their WordPress site had been infected with hidden redirect malware.
What we did:
- Scanned and removed malicious code using Wordfence
- Updated all plugins and themes
- Moved them to secure hosting
- Enabled 2FA and daily backups
Results:
- Site fully recovered in 48 hours
- SEO rankings bounced back in 2 weeks
- Ongoing maintenance put in place to prevent future attacks
Final Thoughts: Prevention is Cheaper Than Recovery
A hacked website doesn’t just affect your SEO — it damages your brand, your business, and your trust with users.
The good news? You don’t need to be a developer to secure your site.
With the right tools, best practices, and regular maintenance, you can keep your WordPress site safe, fast, and fully optimized for business growth.
Secure Your WordPress Site with DomizWebs
At DomizWebs, we don’t just build websites — we secure them.
✅ Security plugin setup
✅ Backup automation
✅ SSL integration
✅ Firewall configuration
✅ Malware cleanup
✅ Ongoing protection plans
Whether you’re running a personal blog, NGO website, or e-commerce store, our team will make sure you’re protected — 24/7.
📞 Let’s lock down your website. Contact us today.