WordPress: 2019 Simple, Fast, and Ultimate Guide to Master WordPress in One Day (with 10 Tips and Tricks), Cybersecurity & SEO

In today’s day and age, WordPress security for businesses is a must. You want your site to be a fortress that keeps your data and that of your customers safe from hackers. In this article I’ll explain some simple tips that you can use in practice for enhancing your WordPress security. Whether you’re completely new to the idea, or reasonably savvy, these tips will keep you from feeling overwhelmed about the security of your site.

Businesses and The Importance of WordPress Security

WordPress drives more than 40% of the web. That makes it particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. For companies, such security breaches can translate into lost revenue, tarnished reputation and even legal problems, he says. Therefore, protecting your WordPress site is no longer a choice—it is a necessity.

Consider your website to be your virtual store front. Would you also keep the doors open? Of course not! And the same holds true for your own website. You’re literally trying to lock it down and keep intruders out.

Easy WordPress Website Security Measures You Can Take (Our Recommended May 2020)

Easy cybersecurity tips you can start using now. Longer term, we need to be doing more work on the data to understand what is happening, and we can all do our bit to help out here. “These won’t need much technical know-how, just a little legwork, and will really help.

1. Updating WordPress and Plugins

• Updates sometimes come with security patches.
• Old versions contain vulnerabilities.
• Set WordPress to auto update or at least be sure to put your site on the list to check for updates regularly.
• Nor should you postpone updating plugins and themes.

2. Strong Passwords And Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

In our application security checklist above, we explain how you can ensure user passwords are strong and hard to guess.

• Use long, complicated passwords that involve letters, numbers and symbols.
• Don’t use an easy or common password.
• Always enable two-factor authentication for your admin accounts.
• Utilize a trusted 2FA app or plugin designed to be used with WordPress.

3. Restricting the Number of Login Attempts and Login Captchas

• Ensure users can only attempt to log in a certain number of times.
• This is a form of brute force attack protection.
• With captcha on your login page automated bots are stopped.

4. Install a Reputable Security Plugin

Although, there are many security plugins available for WordPress, such as sucuri, ithemes-security, etc., sucuri is generally recommended by most developers.

• A firewall plugin scans your site for malware in real time.
• Some provide firewall safeguards.
• Some even watch for changes to files and suspicious activity.
• By selecting the popular plugins with a good number of today’s last updates and positive user reviews.

5. Backup Your Website Regularly

• A backup is a copy of your site data.
• Restore your site instantly during any attack or failure.
• Automate backups, store copies offsite or in the cloud.
• Periodically test backups to make sure they are functioning correctly.

6. Make Your Site Environment More Secure

• Select a host who focuses on WordPress security.
• Keep an eye out for things like daily backups, malware scanning and firewalls.
• Make sure you are using the most recent PHP and SSL on your hosting.
• If you can, avoid shared hosting – it’s not very secure.

7. Prevent File Editing From WordPress Backend

• WordPress by default permits code editing from the dashboard.
• Hackers can leverage this if they gain admin access.
• Turn off this feature by adding a line in your configuration file (If you are able to).
• It keeps your core files more secure.

The SEO Benefits of a Secure WordPress Site

It’s not only about protecting your site, it affects your SEO as well. Google favors secure sites, rewarding sites with SSL certificates (the S at the end of HTTPS) and that don’t contain malware, with higher search rankings.

• Secure websites make visitors feel secure.
• Lower bounce rates + higher engagement for better SEO.
• Avoid penalties resulting from hacked sites.
• FAST loading speed from clean, optimized sites also boosts SEO.

Just ensure that your WordPress is sufficiently locked down and you should see SEO benefits come to you organically.

Avoid These Common WordPress Security Mistakes

Even experts slip up. Here are some common pitfalls that could make your site an easy target:

• Being an idiot, with respect to these sorts of things.
• Not updating themes and plugins.
• Overloading on plugins — the more plugins, the riskier the WordPress.
• Themes and plugins are nulled or pirated.
• Failing to keep an eye on your site for signs of danger.

Stay away from those, and you’re already in advance of many who prey on us.

Simple WordPress Security Checklist

Want to keep track? Here is a quick list to help make sure you’re keeping the site secure:

• Updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins
• Utilize strong passwords and turn on 2FA
• Restrict login attempts and apply captcha
• Install and setup a security plugin
• Backup your site regularly
• Continue: Your hosting provider’s security options that are available to you to use!
• Remove file-edit_ Options via dashboard if you wish to limit file-editing capabilities.
• HTTPS with SSL certificate — The proposed approach is to use SSL certificate for HTTPS.
• Uninstall inactive plugins and themes
• Keep track of your site with logs of activity

This checklist centers you and make sure that there are no vital steps overlooked.

Conclusion: Developing Your WordPress Security Mindset

And security, after all, is a process, not a point in time. Keep learning and stay alert. You should review your logs, audit your plugins and stay abreast of new security developments.

I tell clients all the time – Think of WordPress security like insurance — You never want to use it but when the time comes, you are glad you are protected.

Armed with these tips, you will have all you need to defend your business website from cyber threats. Get your site locked down today — your visitors and your nerves will thank you.

Don’t forget, WordPress security for business websites is essential to ensure your digital front remains secure and gets better with time. Stay vigilant, keep your site running smoothly and your business will flourish in a safer online environment.