WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. This incredible popularity is two-fold: it's a robust and flexible platform, but also the number one target for hackers, bots and automated attacks. If you have a WordPress site, it's not a matter of *if* they will try to attack it, but *when*. This is where the WordPress Hardeninga set of technical measures and best practices designed to armor WordPress and drastically reduce its attack surface. This comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through the most effective techniques, from the basics to the advanced, so you can sleep easy knowing your website is protected.
What exactly is WordPress Hardening and why is it crucial?
Hardening is a term borrowed from computer security that refers to the process of securing a system by reducing its vulnerability. In the context of WordPress, it means applying a series of security layers to make it much more difficult for an attacker to find and exploit a breach.
Ignoring hardening is like leaving your front door open with a "welcome" sign. The consequences can be devastating: from malware injection and user data theft to total site loss and irreparable damage to your reputation. Investing time in WordPress hardening is not a luxury, it is a fundamental necessity for any serious website owner.
1. Strengthening Authentication and User Management: Your First Line of Defense
The most common entry point to a WordPress site is through weak or compromised login credentials. That's why shielding the login process is the first and most critical step.
Passwords that are strengths, not invitations
A weak password is an open door. Brute force attacks, where bots try thousands of combinations per second, are extremely common. Force all users of your site to use strong passwords.
- Length: Minimum 12-16 characters.
- Complexity: Combines uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols (!, @, #, $, etc.).
- Uniqueness: Never reuse passwords between different services.
- Password managers: Use tools such as 1Password or Bitwarden to generate and store complex passwords securely.
Implements Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a crucial extra layer of security. Even if an attacker steals your password, they won't be able to access your admin panel without the second factor: a unique code generated on your cell phone. It's one of the most effective security measures you can implement.
Popular plugins such as Wordfence Security o iThemes Security include this functionality, or you can use a dedicated plugin such as Google Authenticator.
Say goodbye to the "admin" user by default
In older WordPress installations, the default user was "admin". Hackers know this and it is the first username they try in their attacks. If you still have a user named "admin", delete it immediately.
- Create a new user with a unique name and assign it the role of "Administrator".
- Log out of the "admin" session and log in with your new administrator user.
- Go to the "Users" section, locate the "admin" user and delete it.
- WordPress will ask you what to do with the content created by "admin". Make sure you attribute all content to your new admin user.
Assign Roles and Permissions with Accuracy
The principle of "least privilege" is key in security. Not all users need administrator access. Assign the correct role to each user according to their needs. An author does not need to be able to install plugins, and a subscriber should not have access to anything other than their profile. Review your users' roles periodically.
You can learn more about the default roles and capabilities in the official WordPress documentation.
2. Constant Updates Policy: Your Shield Against Vulnerabilities
Outdated software is the main cause of hacked WordPress sites. Updates to WordPress core, plugins and themes not only bring new features, but also, and more importantly, patch discovered security vulnerabilities.
Secure Upgrade Strategy
Upgrading blindly can sometimes cause compatibility problems. Follow a safe process:
- Make a full backup: Before any upgrade, perform a full backup of your files and database.
- Use a staging environment: If possible, test the updates on a staging copy of your site to make sure everything is working properly.
- Upgrade gradually: Update the plugins first, then the theme and finally the WordPress core.
- Verify the site: After upgrading, check that the key functionalities of your website are still operational.
3. Shielding Critical Files and Directories: The Heart of Your Installation
Some WordPress files and directories contain extremely sensitive information. Protecting them from public access and unauthorized modification is a fundamental part of hardening.
Protecting the treasure: the `wp-config.php` file
The file wp-config.php contains your database credentials and security keys. It is the most important file of your installation. You can protect it by adding the following code to your file .htaccesswhich is located at the root of your WordPress installation.
order allow,deny
deny from all
For even greater security, advanced users can move the `wp-config.php` file one level higher of the WordPress root directory, making it inaccessible from the browser.
File and Directory Permissions: The Key to Access
Incorrect permissions on files and directories can allow an attacker to read sensitive information or execute malicious code. The recommended settings are:
- Directories:
755 - Archives:
644
These permissions ensure that only the account owner can write to the files, while others can only read and execute them. You can change these permissions using an FTP client or your cPanel's file manager. For more details, see the official guide to WordPress file permissions.
4. Reducing the Attack Surface: Less is Safer
Every active feature on your site is a potential gateway. Disabling features you don't use reduces the "attack surface" and simplifies security.
Disable the Panel File Editor
WordPress allows you to edit plugin and theme files directly from the admin panel. If an attacker gets access to your panel, he can use this editor to inject malicious code easily. Disable it by adding this line to your file wp-config.php:
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );Disable the XML-RPC Protocol if you do not need it.
XML-RPC is a protocol that allows external applications to interact with your WordPress (for example, the WordPress mobile app or the Jetpack plugin). However, it is also a widely exploited attack vector for brute force and DDoS attacks. If you do not use any application that requires it, it is highly recommended to disable it. You can do it with a plugin like Disable XML-RPC-API or with comprehensive security plugins.
Hide your WordPress version
By default, WordPress displays its version number in the source code of your website. If you are using a version with a known vulnerability, this is like an invitation for hackers. You can hide it by adding the following code to the file functions.php of your subject son:
function remove_wordpress_version() {
return '';
}
add_filter('the_generator', 'remove_wordpress_version');
5. Implement a Security and Firewall System (WAF) with Plugins
Performing all of these hardening tasks manually can be complex. Fortunately, there are excellent security plugins that automate much of the process and add vital layers of protection such as a Web Application Firewall (WAF).
Why do you need a security plugin?
A good security plugin acts as a control center for WordPress hardening. Its functions usually include:
- Malware scanning: Check your files for malicious code.
- File integrity monitoring: Alerts you if any WordPress core file is modified.
- One-click hardening application: It applies many of the measures mentioned in this guide automatically.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Filter malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
Recommended WordPress Hardening Plugins
- Wordfence Security: One of the most popular. It offers an excellent WAF at the endpoint level and a very complete malware scanner.
- Sucuri Security: Especially known for its DNS-level WAF (in its paid version), which blocks attacks before they touch your server, and for its fast malware cleanup service.
- iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security): It offers a very useful checklist and more than 30 ways to protect and shield your WordPress site.
WordPress Hardening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will WordPress hardening affect the speed of my site?
Most hardening techniques have no or negligible impact on performance. In fact, a well-configured WAF can even improve speed by blocking junk bot traffic that consumes your server's resources.
Is it enough to install a security plugin?
No. A plugin is a powerful tool, but not a magic bullet. Security is a layered approach. You must combine a good plugin with good user management practices, strong passwords and constant updates to achieve robust protection.
How often should I check the security of my WordPress?
Security is an ongoing process. You should perform a security audit at least quarterly: check users, run a malware scan, check file permissions and make sure everything is up to date. Set up automatic alerts from your security plugin to be informed of any problems in real time.
Conclusion: Hardening is a Process, not a Destination
Shielding your WordPress site may seem like an overwhelming task, but taking it step-by-step makes it manageable. Start with the basics: strong passwords, 2FA and constant updates. Then move on to file protection and reducing the attack surface. Finally, install a trusted security plugin to automate and monitor your defense.
Remember that the WordPress Hardening is not something you do once and forget. It is an ongoing commitment to vigilance and maintenance. By adopting these practices, you not only protect your work and your users, but you also contribute to a safer Internet for everyone.
