Tips for Securing 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, extensive customization options and support for mobile devices. However, security issues continue to arise, primarily because it is an open source system. Nowadays, cyber security 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 tips for working securely with WordPress and explain the importance of free VPN downloads for working with WordPress.
WordPress market share
Let’s highlight the main statistics according to Zippia:
- 64.2% WordPress market share among other CMS.
- 810 million websites worldwide use WordPress.
- 14.7% of the top 100 websites and 36% of the top 1 million websites worldwide are powered by WordPress.
- 2 million new websites are created a year using WordPress.
These statistics confirm that WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world and it does not seem to be losing its position. New sites are created every day, and WordPress is constantly working to add new features and improve its functionality. If 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 is WordPress security important?
- Your users expect this, and you should strive not only to meet their expectations but also to exceed them.
- To reduce the reputational risk 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 websites.
Tips to secure your WordPress website
- Keep WordPress updated.
WordPress releases regular updates to improve performance and security. But according to the official data of 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 the plugins integrated into your website To check if your version of WordPress and plugins are up to date, log in to the WordPress dashboard and find Updates in the left menu panel.
- Your login is secure.
As with updates, this is a basic tip for securing your site. Do not use a standard username and password. Do not use the admin name to manage a website in WordPress. The more complex your username and password, the harder it is to hack your account. Implementing strong account takeover protection is crucial to securing your WordPress site.
It’s also important to enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security when logging in. To do this you need to install a mobile app-step verification and customize it for your WordPress.
It is 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’s beneficial to use a privacy-focused VPN whenever you access the Internet. It helps protect data by encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address. Additionally, learning how to rotate your IP address through your VPN can provide an extra layer of protection.
To ensure strong protection at no cost, consider downloading a free VPN for your PC to effectively secure your online activities. This often happens when you travel and use networks at airports or hotels. Such networks are not secure and your login credentials can easily be stolen, meaning that control of your website could be in the hands of hackers. To further improve your security, consider using a free VPN extension, which adds an extra layer of security when using 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 securely anywhere, anytime. A free version of the VPN is available, so this extra layer of security won’t cost you anything. To improve security on all devices, including those used to access WordPress on the go, consider using mobile device management solutions along with other security measures such as VPNs and secure hosting providers.
- Use a secure WordPress hosting provider.
Hosting providers play an essential role in WordPress security. Be careful when choosing, pay attention to the reputation of the provider and check the following tips:
Hosting providers should have tools to prevent large-scale DDOS attacks.
Disaster recovery plans should be in place, allowing your hosting provider to protect your data in the event of a serious accident.
Here are some popular options: Hostinger, 1&1, GoDaddy, NameCheap.
In the case of shared hosting options, your account should be isolated from others without any risk of infection from other websites on the server.
- Make a backup.
It is important to back it up whenever you make an update to your website This allows you to quickly restore your website in the event of a security incident. You can use both paid and free plugins for this purpose. Backups must be stored in a separate cloud from your hosting. Such diversity enhances security.
- Avoid canceled WordPress themes.
Attackers often use null themes to infect your device and steal your website. The desire to save to a template will likely lead to additional costs for cybersecurity experts and developers to clean and restore your site. So from both ethical and security point of view it is better to use themes from official repositories now.
- Remove old 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 the old ones.
- Scan WordPress for malware.
Use WordPress security plugins to scan your site for signs of malware and security breaches If something is detected, remember that plugins don’t clean your site, they only identify problems. Cleaning is a challenging process, so we recommend entrusting it to professionals. You should use the backups we mentioned above.
There are other important steps to take to secure WordPress. For example, enabling a Secure Sockets Layer protocol, moving your website to HTTPS, changing the default WordPress database prefix, disabling directory indexing, etc. All of these are important but can be intimidating for beginners. Therefore, we advise you to focus on the basic rules described above. Once you’ve tackled the basics of your site’s security in WordPress, you’ll be able to handle complex items and lines of code.
Regardless, cyber security involves continuous action in both personal and professional life. It is impossible to implement a set of basic rules and be 100% confident in your security. However, these rules are simple, 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, his articles provide valuable insight for businesses striving to stand out.
