WordPress is one of the most vulnerable platforms on the web. It has a wide base of users all over the world. As a result, it is one of the primary targets of many cyber-criminals. If you are not sure whether or not your WordPress site is truly safe from hackers, ensure that you have performed the basic safety measures below:
Delete unused plugins as well as unused images
Some webmasters say that unused images are just a waste of server space. Others also think that they actually present a security threat (although this theory hasn’t been proven yet). But the theory about unused plugins posing some risks to your website is not specious. It is an actual threat that you shouldn’t take for granted. Hackers may actually target the most popular plugins with the most number of users. If a hacker finds or creates a hole in your dormant plugins, he can maximize that to access your treasured site. Since you don’t use the plugins often, there’s minimal chance of you noticing the breach.
Choose a long password and change that every 72 days
Your password must be more than eight characters in length. It should have letters, numbers, and not highlight any word. It’s best if it’s a random mix of letters and numbers. Also, never write your secret password anywhere. Just secure it for the tiny encrypted password box right on your WordPress platform. If you have a hard time remembering passwords, you can write it in your notebook or any piece of paper and secure it in the safest parts of your home. It’s even recommended to change your password every 72 days since it can really make a cyber criminal’s life a bit harder. Changing your password means making the hacker start from scratch if he runs a brute force software on your site.
Utilize the best WordPress plugins
These plugins are add-on software solutions that you can plug into your WordPress site’s content management system. Each plugin varies in quality. Some may be worth your cash, but some are also plain scam. Do your homework before purchasing security plugins. Do not rely on mere marketing hype. Also, don’t use plugins which aren’t from the trusted marketplaces. If you’re using plugins from some independent sites, then you should think twice.
Back up your site
One of the best defenses that you can do to secure your WordPress site is to backup your site. If your site is hacked, you may wipe it all clean by restarting your security, changing all of your passwords, improving your password strength, and reuploading your site data all in a single day. You need to manually backup your site unless the hosting company you’re in partnership with provides this service free of charge. Don’t back up all copies. You would only need the last two versions of your site. Backing up everything may also consume lots of space.
Keep everything up to date
The same thing goes for your software, technology, and accounts. You need to keep up with the WordPress updates. If your set of security plugins have free updates, update them as soon as possible. Don’t dwell on the older WordPress versions. The longer a WordPress version exists, the higher the risks of hackers breaching it. If you need more security tips, you may visit VentivTech.
These are some of the basic things that you can do to keep the hackers away. Your WordPress site is where your business lies. Don’t let it fall into the hands of unwanted intruders.