Wordpress stands as one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) globally, making it a frequent target for cyber attacks. Ensuring the security of a website or blog running on WordPress necessitates conducting a security audit followed by implementing measures to enhance security, a process known as "hardening". In this article, we'll explore how to perform an effective security audit and the steps to secure your WordPress installation.
WordPress Security Audit
1. Update Check: The first step is to verify whether all WordPress components (core, plugins, and themes) are updated to their latest versions. Outdated versions may contain vulnerabilities that have been patched in newer releases.
2. Plugin and Theme Review: Review all installed plugins and themes for security risks. Remove unused or outdated plugins and themes, as they may pose security risks.
3. File and Directory Permissions: Ensure that files and directories have correctly configured permissions. Files typically should have permissions set to 644 and directories to 755. Loose permissions could allow unauthorized access and manipulation.
4. Security Scanning: Utilize tools such as Sucuri or Wordfence to scan your website for malware presence, unauthorized file changes, and other security threats.
5. User Account Review: Check all user accounts on your WordPress site. Ensure that each user has only necessary permissions and that strong passwords are enforced.
WordPress Hardening
After conducting the security audit, it's time to proceed with hardening WordPress, which involves implementing measures to enhance security.
1. SSL Certificate Implementation: Employing an SSL certificate (HTTPS) ensures encryption of communication between the web server and the browser, crucial for protection against "man-in-the-middle" attacks.
2. Login Attempts Limitation: Installing plugins that restrict the number of login attempts can help protect your website against brute-force attacks.
3. Database Prefix Change: WordPress defaults to using the "wp_" prefix for database tables. Changing this prefix to something less predictable can enhance security.
4. Securing wp-config.php: This configuration file contains sensitive information about your WordPress installation. Ensure it is adequately protected, such as by placing it outside the root directory or setting stricter permissions.
5. Regular Backups: While not a direct security enhancement measure, regularly backing up your website ensures that you can quickly restore your site to a functional state in the event of a security incident.
WordPress security is an ongoing process that requires regular checks and adjustments. By conducting a thorough security audit and implementing hardening measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of compromising your website. However, it's always crucial to stay vigilant and keep abreast of the latest security threats and practices.
