How to Maintain a Secure WordPress Site

Keeping your WordPress site secure is not optional - it's essential

In today’s digital landscape, the security of your WordPress site is directly linked to your business's reputation and operational continuity. A security breach can result in data loss, compromised customer trust, and substantial financial penalties.

Here’s how to maintain an excellent security posture with WordPress, especially in an enterprise context.

Regularly update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

Outdated software is a leading cause of security vulnerabilities. According to recent industry analyses, many security breaches are attributed to outdated plugins and themes. To safeguard your WordPress site, it’s critical to stay on top of updates for the WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Managed hosting solutions, like those provided here at Arekibo, can automate updates and ensure your site is always running the latest, most secure versions. Our ArekiboCare managed service protects your investment.

Use Strong and Unique passwords

Weak passwords are a common vulnerability in WordPress security. Site owners often use simple or repetitive passwords, making their sites vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Implementing strong, unique passwords for every user account is crucial. Password managers like LastPass or 1Password can help generate and securely store these passwords. Additionally, enforcing two-factor authentication (2FA) further enhances security by requiring a second form of verification.

Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is essential for filtering out malicious traffic before it can harm your site. Many site owners underestimate the importance of a WAF, which is a critical oversight. Our managed WordPress hosting includes WAF services, ensuring your site is protected against threats like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. This proactive approach to security is particularly important for enterprise-level sites that handle sensitive data.

Regularly back up your site

Backups are your safety net in the event of a security breach. Without regular backups, you risk losing valuable data and content. Reliable backup solutions, integrated into our managed WordPress hosting services, can automate the backup process and store copies in secure, remote locations. Regularly testing these backups is equally important to ensure they can be restored quickly and efficiently. This is a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining a robust security posture.

Limit Login attempts

WordPress allows unlimited login attempts by default, significantly increasing the risk of brute-force attacks. Limiting login attempts is a simple yet effective way to enhance security. Plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded can cap the number of login attempts, making it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorised access. This feature can be managed easily within enterprise-level WordPress environments, where user access must be tightly controlled.

Secure your wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file is one of the most critical components of your WordPress site, containing sensitive configuration details such as database credentials. To secure this file, move it to a non-public directory and restrict access via .htaccess rules. Enterprise WordPress setups often involve advanced configurations, and securing wp-config.php is a fundamental step in safeguarding these settings from unauthorised access.

Disable XML-RPC

XML-RPC is a feature that enables remote access to your WordPress site, often used for applications such as mobile apps. However, it is also a common target for DDoS attacks and brute-force login attempts. Disabling XML-RPC can prevent these security threats. In managed WordPress hosting environments, XML-RPC is often disabled by default, or its functionality is restricted to minimise risk without compromising necessary features.

Regularly monitor your site for Malware

Malware can infiltrate your site and remain undetected for weeks or even months, causing extensive damage. Regular malware scanning is crucial for identifying and mitigating these threats early. At Arekibo, as a Managed Hosting provider, we offer continuous monitoring and automated malware scans as part of our services. This level of vigilance is essential for enterprises to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.

Use SSL Certificates

An SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted between your server and users, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from interception and unauthorised access. SSL is not just about security—it’s also a key factor in SEO, as Google ranks sites with SSL certificates higher. In enterprise environments, SSL certificates are a standard requirement, often managed centrally by your hosting provider to ensure full coverage across all subdomains and applications.

Restrict Access to Sensitive Areas

Limiting access to sensitive parts of your WordPress site is crucial for preventing both accidental and intentional security breaches. Review and minimise admin rights, ensuring only those needing access have it. Our Enterprise-level WordPress installations typically employ role-based access control (RBAC), which enables the granular management of user permissions across various parts of the site. This is particularly important for large organisations where multiple teams may interact with the site.

People always ask - frequently asked questions

Q: Why is securing a WordPress site so important?

Because in today’s digital landscape, your WordPress site’s security is closely tied to your business reputation and continuity. A breach could lead to data loss, compromised customer trust and financial penalties.  

Q: How often should I update WordPress core, themes and plugins?

Regularly, outdated software is a leading cause of security vulnerabilities. Keeping your WordPress core, themes and plugins up to date is essential to maintaining a strong security posture.  We have been delivering WordPress solutions since 2008, and our extensive experience ensures that your investment and platform meet your business needs.

Q: What role do passwords and user credentials play in WordPress security?

Weak or reused passwords are a common entry point for attacks. Use strong, unique passwords and implement two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance your security level significantly.  Our team advises on governance and best practices to ensure you are secure, up to date, and your team is fully trained.

Q: What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and why do we need one?

A WAF filters malicious web traffic before it reaches your site, helping protect against threats such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). It’s especially critical for enterprise-scale WordPress sites.  

Q: How important are backups, and how often should we test them?

Backups serve as your safety net in the event of a breach or data loss. They should be stored securely, regularly updated, and tested to ensure they can be restored successfully. All are covered under our ArekiboCare managed service.

Q: Can I limit login attempts to reduce brute-force attacks?

Yes. By default, WordPress allows unlimited login attempts, which increases risk. Limiting login attempts is a straightforward and effective way to enhance security.  

Q: Is disabling XML-RPC recommended? Why?

Yes, in many cases. XML-RPC allows remote access and can be exploited for DDoS or brute-force attacks. Restricting or disabling it unless needed reduces your exposure.  

Q: How do I monitor my WordPress site for malware?

Regular automatic scanning, coupled with monitoring tools, will help detect malware early. This is especially vital for enterprise sites where undetected malware can persist for weeks or months.  

Q: Why is an SSL certificate important for my WordPress site?

SSL encrypts data between the server and the user, protecting sensitive information from interception. It also supports SEO, as search engines favour secure sites.  

Q: How can I restrict access to sensitive areas of the WordPress site?

Implement role-based access control (RBAC) and regularly review admin rights. Only give access to those who truly need it. This is critical in larger organisations with multiple teams.