WordPress is blogging software built around an open source script, and there are divergent views concerning the security.
Some say the open source script is vulnerable to attacks while others have a contradictory opinion. And that raises the question of “if WordPress website is safe or vulnerable to attack.”
Even if your WordPress site is open to attacks, then, you shouldn’t blame WordPress if hackers succeed in attacking your website.
As a fact, WordPress plays its role when it comes to the security of its platform, and I am sure users could attest to that. I receive updates or even emails from the CEO of WordPress, Mark Maunder, if at all there is any potential attack on WordPress websites.
Last month, some hackers somewhere had their prime target on WordPress users, and WordPress never relented in passing out the information to users. They didn’t just get users notified; they also stated some of the tips that could be adopted to avert potential attacks.
However, if you a WordPress user and you haven’t started paying the needed attention to your security measures, you might be at risk of getting attacked.
Set up a Lock Down
The way the WordPress site is structured makes it a bit easier for a cyber-criminal to attempt login. Just add /wp-admin/ at the end of the domain name, then you are good to try to log in. When hackers do this, they try to guess password and username to break into your website.
Now, what you need to do is to set up a maximum number of times that someone can input the login details. If the person hits the number without imputing the correct username or password, the person gets a lock down. In another word, the person won’t be able to re-access the website until the needful is done.
There are security WordPress plugins that allow you to set up the lock down feature, but I recommend that iThemes Security plugin. It is an excellent plugin, to begin with.
I have made a mistake of inputting the wrong password, and I was locked down. What I needed to do was to input the registered email to receive instruction on how to regain access.
Don’t Use Username, Use Email Instead
Apparently, username names are straightforward to guess, while email is not. By default, you use your username to log in at the initial stage. What you need to do is to swap the username with the email address you used in registering your WordPress site. The email makes you the real owner of the website.
The WP Email Login plugin allows you to activate this process; there is no complication in the process.
Rename your URL of your Log in Page
I have mentioned earlier that your login in page by default is the URL of your WordPress website + wp-admin. So, anybody could get into your login page thinking of the login details to input, but you need to stop that.
Now, with the iTheme Security plugin, you could restructure, customize or change the URL of your WordPress website.
It is only the person with the exact URL that could log in, that is if the individual has the details. Hackers are becoming so tricky; you don’t even need to allow them to get to your login page, let alone of trying to log in to your website.
Change Password Intermittently
Sometimes, WordPress users are too lackadaisical to do this. From experience, of the surest ways to start becoming more security conscious is when someone gets hacked.
The point is that it is important to change your password as time goes on. Avoid sticking to the old password; you could just add uppercases and all that.
Conclusion
Securing your WordPress site is paramount. I have just enumerated a few strategies you could adopt; there are other tactics that I never mentioned. However, implementing these tricks will also add to your online security measures.