Tips to Secure Your WordPress Website: The Role of VPN
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) today. It offers many advantages, such as easy installation, affordability, wide customization options, and support for mobile devices. However, security issues are constantly being raised, primarily because it is an open-source system. Nowadays, cybersecurity is coming to the fore and it is reasonable to consider steps to improve the security of your WordPress website. In this article, we will explore the tips to work securely on WordPress and explain the importance of free VPN download to work with WordPress.
WordPress market share
Let’s highlight the main statistics according to Zippia:
- 64.2% is a WordPress market share among other CMS.
- 810 million websites worldwide use WordPress.
- 14.7% of the top 100 websites and 36% of the 1 million top websites worldwide are powered by WordPress.
- 2 million new websites are made annually using WordPress.
These statistics confirm that WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world and does not seem to be losing its position. New sites are created every day, and WordPress adds new features and is constantly working to improve its functionality. If about a third of websites are powered by WordPress, it’s a good idea to consider steps to improve the security of your website and its users.
Why WordPress security is important?
- Your users expect it, and you should strive not only to meet their expectations but also to exceed them.
- To minimize reputational risks associated with data breaches.
- To protect your information.
- For SEO purposes. Security can significantly improve your ranking on Google. You can even embed Google Reviews on WordPress Website.
Tips to secure your WordPress website
- Keep WordPress updated.
WordPress regularly releases updates to improve performance and security. However, according to the official information on the WordPress website, only half of the websites are on the latest version of WordPress. While minor updates can be installed automatically, major ones require manual installation. It is also important to check the version of plugins that are integrated into your website. To check if your version of WordPress and plugins is up to date right now, log in to WordPress Dashboard and find the Updates on the left menu panel.
- Secure your login.
Just like updates, it is a fundamental tip to protect your site. Never use a standard username and password. Do not use the Admin name to administer a website on WordPress. The more complex your username and password are, the harder it is to hack your account. Implementing strong account takeover protection measures is crucial for safeguarding your WordPress site.
It’s also important to enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security when logging in. To do so you should install a mobile app-step verification, and customize it for your WordPress.
It is also recommended to add a captcha, limit login attempts, and enable auto-logout when you are inactive. This can be done by installing special plugins.
- Use a VPN.
In general, it is beneficial to use a privacy-focused VPN every time you access the Internet. It helps to protect data by encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address. Additionally, learning how to rotate your IP address through your VPN can give an extra lay of protection.
To ensure robust protection without any cost, consider downloading a free VPN for your PC to secure your online activities effectively. This often happens when you are traveling and use networks at the airport or in a hotel. Such networks are not secure, and your login credentials can easily be stolen, meaning that control of your website can fall into the hands of hackers. To enhance your security further, consider using a free vpn extension, which adds an extra layer of protection when utilizing public Wi-Fi networks. VPN allows you to use public Wi-Fi networks more securely. It is important to install a VPN on your phone and tablet so that you can use all your gadgets safely anywhere, anytime. There is a free version of the VPN available, so this additional layer of security won’t even increase your costs. To improve security across all devices, including those used to access WordPress on the go, consider using mobile device management solutions alongside other security measures like VPNs and secure hosting providers.
- Use a secure WordPress hosting provider.
Hosting providers play an essential role in the security of WordPress. Be careful when choosing, pay attention to the provider’s reputation, and check the following tips:
Hosting providers should have tools to prevent large-scale DDOS attacks.
Disaster recovery plans should be in place, which allow your hosting provider to protect your data in a serious accident.
Here are some popular options: Hostinger, 1&1, GoDaddy, NameCheap.
In the case of shared hosting options, your account has to be isolated from others, with no risk of infection from other websites on the server.
- Make backups.
It is important to back up every time you make an update to your website. This allows you to quickly restore your website if a security incident occurs. You can use both paid and free plugins for this purpose. The backups must be stored on the cloud separate from your hosting. Such diversification increases security.
- Avoid nulled WordPress themes.
Nulled themes are often used by attackers to infect your device and steal your website. The desire to save on a template will most likely lead to additional costs for cybersecurity specialists and developers to clean and restore your site. So it’s better to use themes from the official repository right away, both from an ethical and security perspective.
- Remove outdated and unused plugins and themes.
Outdated themes and plugins will increase the risk of cyber attacks, as they are often used by attackers to gain control over your site. So check the plugins and themes sections in your control panel and remove outdated ones.
- Scan WordPress for malware.
Use WordPress security plugins to scan your site for malware and signs of security breaches. If something is detected, remember that plugins do not clean your site, they only identify the problem. Cleaning is a challenging process, so we recommend delegating it to professionals. You will need to use the backups we mentioned above.
There are other important steps to secure WordPress. For example, moving your website to HTTPS by enabling a Secure Sockets Layer protocol, changing the default WordPress database prefix, disabling directory indexing, etc. All of them are important but can be frightening for beginners. Therefore, we advise you to concentrate on the basic rules that we described above. When you cope with the basic points of the security of your site on WordPress, you will be able to handle complex items and lines of code.
In any case, cybersecurity involves continuous actions in both personal and work life. Executing a set of basic rules and being 100% confident in your security is impossible. However, these rules are easy, so start small and finish big.
Rashana Ahluwalia is a writer at GraphicSprings, specializing in branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship. With a passion for creative expression, her articles provide valuable insights for businesses striving to stand out.