WordPress powers over 40% of the web, making it a prime target for hackers. Whether you run a small blog or an eCommerce store, securing your site should be a top priority. A hacked WordPress site can lead to data breaches, loss of reputation and financial damages.
In this guide, we’ll cover essential security measures, including firewalls, login security and malware scanning, to help protect your WordPress site from cyber threats.
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Enable a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) acts as a protective barrier between your website and malicious traffic.
It blocks threats before they reach your site, preventing hacking attempts, SQL injections and DDoS attacks.
Best Ways to Implement a Firewall in WordPress:
- Use a Security Plugin with a Built-in WAF — Plugins such as Wordfence, Sucuri, or Cloudflare offer web application firewalls to detect and prevent attacks.
- Server-Level Firewalls — Some hosting providers include ModSecurity or other server-level firewalls to detect and prevent attacks.
- CDN-Based Firewalls — Cloudflare and Sucuri provide cloud-based firewalls that block threats before they reach your hosting server.
Benefits of a WAF:
- Prevents brute force attacks and unauthorised access
- Blocks malicious bots and automated hacking attempts
- Reduces server load by filtering out harmful traffic
Strengthen Your WordPress Login Security
Brute force attacks target weak login credentials by trying thousands of username-password combinations.
Strengthening your login security can prevent unauthorised access.
Essential Steps for Securing WordPress Login:
- Change the Default “admin” Username — Hackers often target the default “admin” username. Choose a unique one.
- Use a Strong Password — A combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters makes it difficult to crack.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) — Plugins like Google Authenticator, Wordfence or WP 2FA add an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time password (OTP).
- Limit Login Attempts — Plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded block users after multiple failed login attempts.
- Change the WordPress Login URL — Hide the default /wp-admin or /wp-login.php to prevent automated attacks using plugins like WPS Hide Login.
- Enable CAPTCHA on Login Page — CAPTCHA verification can prevent bots from accessing your login page.
Scan for Malware and Remove Suspicious Files
Malware can infect your website through vulnerable plugins, themes or outdated WordPress core files. A regular malware scan helps detect and remove malicious code before it causes damage.
How to Scan for Malware in WordPress:
- Use Security Plugins — Plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, MalCare or iThemes Security scan files, databases and plugins for malware.
- Perform Manual File Inspections — Check your wp-content, wp-includes, and database tables for unfamiliar code or files.
- Monitor Core File Changes — Some malware modifies WordPress core files such as wp-config.php or htaccess. Tools like WP File Monitor alert you of unexpected changes.
- Use Google Search Console — Google often detects malware on sites and notifies webmasters through Google Search Console.
How to Remove Malware from Your Site:
- Identify the Infected Files — Use a security plugin to pinpoint malware infected files.
- Restore from a Clean Backup — If you have a recent backup, restore your site from a clean version.
- Manually Clean the Files — Delete malicious code manually if you have coding experience.
- Hire a Professional Security Service — Services like Sucuri or MalCare offer professional malware removal.
Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
Outdated WordPress versions, themes, and plugins are the #1 cause of hacked sites. Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities.
Best Practices for Updating WordPress:
- Enable auto-updates for minor WordPress core releases
- Manually update themes and plugins regularly
- Remove unused or abandoned plugins — If a plugin hasn’t been updated in over a year, consider replacing it with a more secure alternative.
- Use only trusted plugins and themes — Download themes and plugins only from the WordPress repository, ThemeForest, or official developers.
Use Secure Hosting and Enable Backups
A secure hosting provider plays a critical role in WordPress security. Choose a host that offers:
- Built-in Security Features (firewalls, malware scanning, DDoS protection)
- Daily Automated Backups to restore your site if compromised
- SSL Certificates to encrypt data and secure transactions
Recommended Secure WordPress Hosting Providers:
- Kinsta (Google Cloud-based, DDoS protection, daily backups)
- WP Engine (Advanced security, firewall protection, malware scanning)
- SiteGround (Free SSL, server-level security)
Secure Your wp-config.php and .htaccess Files
The wp-config.php file contains your database credentials, making it a key target for hackers.
How to Secure wp-config.php:
- Move wp-config.php Outside the Public_HTML Directory — Store it one level above the root directory.
- Deny File Access via .htaccess — Add the following rule in your .htaccess file:
//apache
<files wp-config.php>
order allow,deny
deny from all
</files>
The .htaccess file can also be used to improve security:
- Disable Directory Browsing:
//apache
Options -Indexes
- Restrict Access to the wp-admin Area:
//apache
<Files wp-config.php>
order allow , deny
deny from all
allow form YOUR_IP_ADDRESS
</Files>
Implement Regular Backups
Backups are essential in case of a security breach. You should have both automatic and manual backup solutions.
Best WordPress Backup Plugins:
- UpdraftPlus — Automatic cloud backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.
- VaultPress (Jetpack Backups) — Real-time backups for eCommerce and high-traffic sites.
- BackupBuddy – Full site backups, including databases and files.
Final Thoughts
WordPress security is an ongoing process. By implementing firewalls, strengthening login security, scanning for malware, and keeping your site updated, you significantly reduce the risk of hacking.
- Enable a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
- regularly scan for malware and remove suspicious files
- Keep WordPress, themes and plugins updated
- Use a secure hosting provider with backups
- Secure wp-config.php and .htaccess files
Taking these steps will help your WordPress site secure, ensuring a safer experience for both you and your visitors.
Protect Your WordPress Site Today!
Don’t wait until your site gets hacked—take action now! Implement these security best practices to safeguard your website from cyber threats.
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FAQs
FAQs: How to Protect Your WordPress Site from Hackers
WordPress is a popular platform, making it a frequent target for hackers. A compromised site can lead to data breaches, malware infections, SEO penalties, and loss of business. Implementing security measures helps protect your site and visitors from cyber threats.
To strengthen your WordPress login security:
- Use a strong password and avoid common usernames like “admin.”
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra security layer.
- Limit login attempts using plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.
- Change the default wp-login.php URL using WPS Hide Login.
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your website. Firewalls prevent brute force attacks, SQL injections, and DDoS attacks. Popular options include Wordfence, Sucuri, and Cloudflare.
Signs of a hacked WordPress site include:
- Unexpected website redirects or strange pop-ups.
- New admin users appearing in your WordPress dashboard.
- A sudden drop in search rankings due to malware.
- Alerts from Google Search Console or security plugins.
Use a security plugin like Wordfence, Sucuri, or MalCare to scan for malware.
If your site is hacked:
- Run a malware scan using a security plugin.
- Restore a clean backup if available.
- Manually remove malicious code from infected files.
- Change all passwords and update plugins/themes.
- Use a professional malware removal service like Sucuri or MalCare.
You should update WordPress core, themes, and plugins as soon as updates are available. Enable auto-updates for minor WordPress releases and check for major updates regularly to patch vulnerabilities.
Top security plugins for WordPress include:
- Wordfence – Firewall, malware scanner, and login protection.
- Sucuri Security – Cloud-based firewall and malware cleanup.
- iThemes Security – Brute force protection and file change monitoring.
- MalCare – Automatic malware removal and security hardening.
Secure hosting providers offer built-in security features like firewalls, malware scanning, and daily backups. Some of the best options include:
- Kinsta – Google Cloud-based hosting with DDoS protection.
- WP Engine – Advanced security, automatic backups, and threat monitoring.
- SiteGround – Free SSL, malware scanning, and server-level security.
To prevent unauthorized access:
- Restrict wp-config.php access by adding security rules in .htaccess.
