Blog Post

WordPress Security: Essential Hardening Techniques

Protecting your WordPress site from common vulnerabilities

WordPress powers over 40% of the web, making it a prime target for attacks. Implementing basic security measures dramatically reduces vulnerability without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

Update Everything

The simplest and most effective security measure:

  • WordPress core
  • Themes
  • Plugins

Enable automatic updates for minor releases in wp-config.php: 

define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', 'minor');

Strong Authentication

Implement robust password policies and two-factor authentication:

  • Minimum 12 characters
  • Mix of upper/lower case, numbers, symbols
  • Use plugins like Wordfence or Two Factor Authentication

Database Security

Change the default wp_ table prefix during installation or afterward: 

// wp-config.php
$table_prefix = 'xyz_'; // Instead of wp_

Use strong, unique database passwords and restrict database user permissions to only what's necessary.

File Permissions

Correct file permissions prevent unauthorized modifications:

  • Directories: 755
  • Files: 644
  • wp-config.php: 600
find /path/to/wordpress/ -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find /path/to/wordpress/ -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
chmod 600 wp-config.php

Disable File Editing

Prevent PHP file editing from WordPress admin:

// wp-config.php
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Security Headers

Add security headers in .htaccess or server configuration: 

# Prevent clickjacking
Header always set X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN"

# XSS Protection
Header always set X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block"

# Content Type Sniffing
Header always set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"

Regular Backups

Security measures fail. Backups are your safety net:

  • Daily automated backups
  • Store off-site
  • Test restoration process
  • Include database and files

Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy, or implement server-level backups.

Monitor and Audit

Install security plugins that monitor:

  • Failed login attempts
  • File changes
  • Malware scans
  • Firewall protection

Popular options: Wordfence, Sucuri Security, iThemes Security.

Security isn't a one-time task—it's an ongoing process. These foundational steps significantly reduce your attack surface.