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How to Improve WordPress Security in 9 Steps

WordPress is a constant hacking target, so let’s learn in this article how to improve WordPress security in 9 steps and discover the best WordPress security plugins!

Improving WordPress security is essential in today’s digital world. With over 30,000 WordPress websites hacked daily, taking steps to protect your blog or website is not optional – it’s a necessity. By implementing advanced security techniques, you can make your WordPress site as hack-proof as possible and keep your content, visitors, and reputation safe.

Does WordPress Have Good Security?

Out of the box, a freshly installed WordPress website does not offer strong security. In fact, default installations can have vulnerabilities that leave your site exposed. However, WordPress can be extremely secure when site owners follow best practices.

Key steps to improve the security of your WordPress site include:

• Using a reliable security system or plugin
• Choosing strong, unique passwords
• Installing only trusted plugins and themes

By following these measures, you can significantly improve the security of your WordPress website.

Related: 5 Reliable Ways To Protect Your Privacy As a Blogger

Can WordPress Websites Be Hacked?

Yes – WordPress websites can be hacked, and it happens more often than many site owners realize. As the most popular CMS in the world, powering over 445 million sites, WordPress is a prime target for hackers. Unfortunately, many site owners underestimate the importance of online security, making WordPress sites easy prey.

Industry data suggests that WordPress sites are the target of nearly 90% of all hacking attempts.

To protect your blogs and websites, it’s critical to take security seriously. Regularly implementing practices to improve WordPress security will help safeguard your site against common threats and attacks.

How Can I Improve My WordPress Security?

Securing your WordPress site may seem daunting, but improving WordPress security is easier than you think. In this guide, you’ll discover advanced strategies to protect your website without stress.

Some practices require a bit of technical know-how, but even beginners can benefit. And if coding isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are plenty of plugins to handle the heavy lifting for you. With a bit of patience, you can dramatically increase the security of your WordPress website and keep your hard work safe from hackers. 😉

WordPress Security Checklist: How to Improve WordPress Security in 9 Steps

Keeping your WordPress website safe doesn’t have to be complicated. This 9-step WordPress security checklist shows you exactly how to improve WordPress security and protect your site from hackers, malware, and other online threats. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced site owner, following these steps will help you improve the security of your WordPress site and keep your content, users, and reputation safe.

IMPORTANT: Before implementing any of the security recommendations below, back up your website. Mistakes happen – whether due to human error or system issues – and a backup ensures you can restore your site exactly as it was.

If you don’t have a reliable backup plugin yet, check out Solid Backups (formerly BackupBuddy). This all-in-one plugin has been protecting over 1 million WordPress sites since 2010, making it a solid choice for safeguarding your website.

WordPress Security Checklist #1: Replace the Default WP-Admin User to Improve WordPress Security

When WordPress is pre-installed by your hosting service, it often creates a default Admin account. This account usually uses your blog name as the username, which hackers can easily guess, especially if your password is weak.

To protect your site, create a new user account with Administrator privileges and delete the default one.

Steps to create a new Admin account:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard as the current Admin.
2. Go to Users > Add New.
3. Fill in the details (use a different email) and set the Role to Administrator. Save.
4. Log out and log in with the new Admin account.
5. Navigate to Users > All Users, hover over the old Admin, and select Delete.
6. Reassign all posts from the old Admin to the new account to avoid losing content.

Pro tip: Use a long, complex username – avoid your real name or pen name. Combine words, symbols, or random letters to make it hard to guess.

WordPress Security Checklist #2: Create an Editor Account for Daily Use

Second step of our WordPress security checklist: to minimize risk, avoid using the Admin account for daily tasks. Your Admin account has access to everything on your website – exactly what hackers want. Instead, create an Editor account for writing and editing posts.

Steps to create an Editor account:

1. Log in as Admin.
2. Go to Users > Add New.
3. Fill in the details (use a different email) and set the Role to Editor. Save.

Use the Admin account only when necessary, like updating plugins or performing site maintenance. Always use strong passwords for all accounts.

WordPress Security Checklist #3: Hide Author Usernames by Changing the Author Slug / user_nicename

By default, WordPress exposes your login username through the author slug in URLs. For example:

websitename.com/author/authorusername

In other words, user_nicename is just the author slug, which is, by default, the Author login username. Also, the user_nicename has no use for logging into a website if this is not the same as the Author’s login username.

If your login username is visible here, hackers can target it in brute-force attacks.

To improve WordPress security, hide your real username by changing the user_nicename in your WordPress database via phpMyAdmin.

WordPress Security Checklist: Steps to change user_nicename:

1. Log in to your web hosting Control Panel (cPanel).
2. Go to MySQL Databases or Databases and select Manage Database.
3. Open phpMyAdmin and select your website’s database (e.g., yourwebsite_com).
4. Find the table wp_xxxxx_users and locate the user_nicename column.
5. Double-click the user_nicename you want to change, type the new value, and confirm.
6. Check your website by clicking an author’s name on a post to ensure the new slug works.

IMPORTANT: Only change the user_nicename! Don’t modify any other database settings unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

WordPress Security Checklist #4: Add the Recommended HTTP Security Headers for Advanced WordPress Security

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) Security Headers are essential for protecting your WordPress website. They help secure the connection between your site and its visitors, preventing hackers from redirecting users to fake sites, injecting malicious code, or exploiting browser weaknesses.

While there are many HTTP Security Headers available, you don’t need to implement all of them. Some are outdated, and others are complex enough that a single mistake could break your website.

However, there are four headers you should add immediately to significantly improve WordPress security:

1. X-Frame-Options
Prevents clickjacking by stopping your site from being embedded in another website via an iframe, which could otherwise trick users into performing unintended actions.

2. HSTS (Strict-Transport-Security)
Protects your site from redirects to insecure or fake domains. It ensures browsers always connect via HTTPS, blocking attackers who try to send visitors to a malicious, non-secure site.

3. X-Content-Type-Options
Stops browsers from guessing the type of files being downloaded (like PDFs). This prevents hackers from tricking your visitors into downloading malicious files instead of legitimate ones, keeping both users and your site safe.

4. X-XSS-Protection
Guards against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks that can steal cookies or sensitive data from your visitors. When an XSS attack is detected, this header blocks the page from loading.

How to Add HTTP Security Headers to Increase Security of WordPress Website

Important: Make a full backup of your website before editing your .htaccess file. A single error can break your site.

Steps:

1. Log in to your hosting cPanel.
2. Navigate to Websites > FTP Users & Files (the name may vary by host).
3. Select Manage Files and open .htaccess under your website folder (e.g., yourwebsite.com).
4. Scroll to the bottom, skip a line, and add the following code:

# Security Headers
<IfModule mod_headers.c>
    Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload" env=HTTPS
    Header always set Content-Security-Policy "upgrade-insecure-requests"
    Header always set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"
    Header always set X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block"
    Header always append X-Frame-Options SAMEORIGIN
</IfModule>
# End Security Headers

5. Save the file and close the editor.

Adding these headers is a powerful step to improve the security of your WordPress site, protecting both your content and your visitors from common web attacks.

WordPress Security Checklist #5: Disable Directory Listing / Directory Browsing to Improve WordPress Security

Directory Listing (or Directory Browsing) exposes an index of all files in a folder on your website. Hackers can use this to locate sensitive files and exploit vulnerabilities. You can test this by visiting:

yourwebsite.com/wp-includes/css

If you see a list of files, your site is vulnerable – scary, right?

To improve the security of your WordPress site, you should disable directory browsing.

How to Disable Directory Browsing Manually to Improve WordPress Security

Important: Always back up your site before editing the .htaccess file. A single typo can break your website.

Steps:

1. Log in to your hosting cPanel.
2. Go to Websites > FTP Users & Files and open Manage Files.
3. Open the .htaccess file under your website folder (e.g., yourwebsite.com).
4. Scroll to the bottom, skip a line, and add:

Options -Indexes

Save the file. Check by visiting yourwebsite.com/wp-includes/css. If done correctly, your browser should display your site’s default 404 Not Found Page instead of a file list.

How to Disable Directory Browsing Using Solid Security / SolidWP

If coding isn’t your thing, the Solid Security / SolidWP plugin (formerly iThemes Security) makes this easy and safe:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard as Admin.
2. Go to Security > Advanced (bottom left).
3. Under System Tweaks, check Protect System Files and Directory Browsing.
4. Save – done!

WordPress Security Checklist #6: Disable File Editing to Improve WordPress Security

By default, WordPress allows Administrators to edit plugin and theme files directly from the Dashboard. While convenient, this poses a serious security risk:

• Accidental changes by an Admin could break your site.
• If a hacker gains access to an Admin account, they could manipulate your code and steal sensitive data.

The simplest and safest way to prevent this is to disable file editing using the Solid Security / SolidWP plugin. You can temporarily re-enable it if necessary, but it’s best to keep it off.

How to Disable File Editing via Solid Security / SolidWP

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard as Admin.
2. Navigate to Security > Advanced (bottom left).
3. Under System Tweaks > WordPress Tweaks, select Configure Settings.
4. Check the Disable File Editor checkbox.
5. Save changes.

With file editing disabled, your site is significantly more secure against accidental or malicious code changes.

WordPress Security Checklist #7: Prevent PHP Direct Execution in Sensitive Directories

Hackers often target sensitive WordPress directories like wp-content, wp-includes, or even the .htaccess file in your root folder. If they gain access, they can upload malicious code and execute it remotely – potentially taking down your entire site.

To improve the security of your WordPress site, one of the most effective strategies is to disable PHP execution in these vulnerable directories.

How to prevent PHP direct execution via Solid Security / SolidWP:

1. Install the Solid Security (SolidWP) plugin if you haven’t already.
2. Log in to WordPress as an Administrator.
3. From your Dashboard, select Security → Advanced.
4. Under System Tweaks, enable all the PHP Execution options:
   • Disable PHP in Uploads
   • Disable PHP in Plugins
   • Disable PHP in Themes
5. Save your settings.

This single step can drastically increase the security of your WordPress website and block a common attack vector.

WordPress Security Checklist #8: Limit Password Guessing Attempts

Password guessing, or brute force attacks, is one of the most common ways hackers try to break into WordPress websites. Automated bots attempt millions of password combinations until they get it right – unless you stop them.

A simple way to improve WordPress website security is to limit the number of login attempts. This ensures hackers and bots can’t endlessly test passwords until they succeed.

How to limit login attempts with Solid Security / SolidWP:

1. Install the Solid Security (SolidWP) plugin if you don’t have it yet.
2. Log in as an Administrator.
3. From the Dashboard, select Security → Configure → Lockouts.
4. Under Local Brute Force, set:
   • Max Login Attempts Per Host
   • Max Login Attempts Per User
5. Choose a time limit under Minutes to Remember Bad Login.
6. Save your settings.

⚠️ Tip: Don’t set the maximum login attempts too low – you don’t want to lock yourself out if you mistype your password once or twice.

WordPress Security Checklist #9: Moderate Comments for Advanced WordPress Security

One often-overlooked way to improve WordPress security is through careful comment moderation. By default, you should never allow comments on your blog posts to be automatically approved. As your site traffic grows, spam activity in the comments section will inevitably increase.

These spam comments usually contain malicious links that put both your site and your visitors at risk. A single careless click could expose your readers to harmful websites, damaging both your reputation and your WordPress website security.

How to set comments to moderation mode in WordPress:

1. Log in as an Administrator.
2. Go to Settings → Discussion in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Scroll down and check:
   • Comments must be manually approved
   • Comment author must have a previously approved comment
4. Adjust additional preferences as needed, such as whether to allow link notifications (pingbacks/trackbacks) or which email alerts you’d like to receive.
5. Save your changes.

Tips for safe comment moderation to improve WordPress security:

• ✅ Use a spam-blocking plugin. A tool like Hide My WP can automatically filter spam, save you time, and add extra protection. It not only reduces spam but also hides your WordPress site from theme detectors and attackers.
• 🚩 Watch out for generic praise. Comments like “This is the best article I’ve read in this field, great job!” may look flattering but are often spam. If the feedback is vague and not specific to your content, treat it as suspicious.

By moderating comments, you not only protect your readers but also increase the security of your WordPress website without adding much technical complexity.

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7 Best WordPress Security Plugins

If you’re serious about learning how to increase the security of your WordPress website, one of the smartest moves you can make is to install a specialized security plugin. These plugins protect against brute force attacks, malware, spam, and vulnerabilities – all while making advanced security features easier to use.

Below are the 7 best WordPress security plugins, each with unique strengths to help keep your blog safe.

You may also like: 20 Best Plugins to Improve SEO Score on WordPress

1. Solid Security / SolidWP (formerly iThemes Security)

Solid Security (previously known as iThemes Security) is one of the most complete solutions for anyone looking to improve WordPress security without needing to touch much code. With over 1 million active installations, it has earned trust among bloggers, eCommerce owners, and agencies alike.

You may also like: How secure are WordPress websites for e-commerce? Pros and cons

The plugin protects against over 30 common vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit, including brute force attacks, directory browsing, file editing, and PHP execution in sensitive directories. It also comes with features such as two-factor authentication, password expiration, login attempt limits, and even site lockdown after repeated failed logins.

One of its biggest advantages is that it lets you manage everything from an easy-to-use dashboard. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced user, you can pick between the “basic” or “advanced” configuration modes, depending on how hands-on you want to be.

For those who prefer automation, Solid Security also offers one-click settings that harden your site immediately. And when paired with Solid Backup, you have both prevention and recovery fully covered.

2. Solid Backup (formerly BackupBuddy)

Even the most secure site can face trouble, which is why a reliable backup solution is absolutely essential for WordPress security. Solid Backup (formerly BackupBuddy) is designed specifically to safeguard your site’s data against hacks, malware, accidental errors, and even server crashes.

Unlike many free backup plugins that only cover partial backups, Solid Backup lets you create complete backups, including your WordPress database, media library, plugins, and themes. You can then store these backups remotely on Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, or Solid’s own Stash cloud service.

One of the highlights of Solid Backup is its easy site restore process. With just a few clicks, you can roll your site back to a clean version if anything goes wrong. For site owners running eCommerce or membership sites, this means you’ll never lose valuable customer data or sales records.

By combining Solid Security + Solid Backup, you’re essentially building a WordPress fortress: one plugin keeps the hackers out, while the other ensures you can always recover in case disaster strikes.

3. Wordfence Security

Wordfence is one of the most well-known WordPress security plugins, installed on more than 4 million websites worldwide. Its reputation comes from combining a powerful firewall with a top-notch malware scanner.

The Wordfence Web Application Firewall (WAF) blocks malicious traffic before it even reaches your site. Meanwhile, its malware scanner automatically checks for infected files, suspicious code, spam injections, and backdoors that hackers might leave behind. If Wordfence detects an issue, it gives you detailed instructions on how to fix it safely.

Another standout feature is the real-time threat defense feed, which gives your site updated protection against the latest known vulnerabilities and hacker techniques. For example, if a major plugin is discovered to have a security flaw, Wordfence can instantly block exploits targeting that weakness.

The plugin also includes brute force protection, login security, and tools for monitoring live traffic. For users who want in-depth visibility into what’s happening on their site, Wordfence provides some of the most detailed reports in the industry.

4. Sucuri Security

Sucuri is both a WordPress security plugin and a professional-grade cloud-based security service. While the free plugin covers essentials like activity auditing, blacklist monitoring, file integrity checking, and security hardening, the real power of Sucuri lies in its premium firewall (WAF).

The Sucuri Firewall blocks brute force attacks, SQL injections, XSS attempts, and DDoS attacks before they can even hit your hosting server. Since the firewall sits on Sucuri’s servers, it helps reduce load on your site, making it both faster and safer.

Sucuri also specializes in malware removal services. If your WordPress site ever gets hacked, their team offers a hands-on malware cleanup guarantee with their premium plans. This gives peace of mind to site owners who don’t have the technical knowledge to manually clean infections.

Another key feature is their Content Delivery Network (CDN), included with paid plans. This not only improves your website speed globally but also adds an extra layer of protection against attacks.

If you want a plugin that comes with enterprise-grade support and one of the strongest reputations in the industry, Sucuri is a must-consider option.

5. Hide My WP by Envato

While most WordPress security plugins focus on blocking attacks, Hide My WP by Envato takes a different (but highly effective) approach: it hides your WordPress installation from hackers and automated bots.

Hackers often rely on knowing that a site is built with WordPress to exploit common vulnerabilities in themes, plugins, or core files. Hide My WP prevents this by masking your WordPress identity – changing default paths, URLs, and even blocking access to sensitive areas like wp-admin and wp-login.

This approach is called “security through obscurity”, and while it shouldn’t be your only defense, it’s extremely powerful when combined with traditional security measures. By confusing bots and attackers, Hide My WP significantly reduces the chances of automated attacks getting through.

The plugin also helps with spam protection by filtering out malicious comment attempts and fake bots. Plus, it works alongside other popular plugins like Solid Security, Wordfence, and Sucuri without conflicts.

If you want to make your site less visible to attackers and reduce spam headaches, Hide My WP is a smart addition to your WordPress security toolkit.

6. All In One WP Security & Firewall

If you’re looking for a completely free WordPress security plugin that still offers a full range of features, All In One WP Security & Firewall is an excellent choice. It’s especially popular among beginners who want reliable security without paying for a premium service right away.

The plugin comes with tools to protect your login page, enforce strong passwords, limit login attempts, and detect malicious activity. It also has a built-in firewall that blocks suspicious IP addresses and filters bad queries before they can exploit your site.

One of the best aspects of All In One WP Security is its visual grading system. The plugin gives your site a security score, then shows you exactly what actions to take to improve it. This makes it much easier for beginners to understand which steps matter most.

It also provides detailed file integrity monitoring and database security features. If any changes occur in your WordPress files or database tables, the plugin will notify you right away.

While it may not be as advanced as Wordfence or Sucuri, All In One WP Security & Firewall offers outstanding protection for a free plugin.

7. Jetpack Security

Jetpack Security is part of Automattic’s Jetpack suite – the same company behind WordPress.com – which gives it a big credibility boost. This plugin focuses on all-in-one protection by combining real-time backups, malware scanning, brute force protection, and downtime monitoring in a single plugin.

One of its strongest features is daily or real-time backups (depending on the plan you choose). This ensures that, even if your site gets hacked, you can restore it with just a few clicks. The backups are stored securely in the cloud, so they don’t weigh down your hosting server.

In terms of proactive defense, Jetpack Security includes brute force attack protection, automated malware scanning, and spam filtering for comments and forms. It also monitors your website uptime and instantly alerts you if your site goes down – which is invaluable for bloggers who rely on traffic and affiliate income.

While Jetpack Security does come with a subscription fee, its integration with other Jetpack features makes it an attractive choice for those who want an all-in-one solution instead of juggling multiple plugins.

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What Is Hardening WordPress?

WordPress hardening refers to the process of strengthening your website’s defenses against attacks, vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access.

While plugins and firewalls provide protection, hardening goes one step further by applying best practices directly to your site’s configuration and server settings. This includes actions like limiting file permissions, enforcing strong login rules, disabling unnecessary features, and tightening up access points that hackers often exploit.

Essentially, WordPress hardening means turning your site into a “hard target,” making it far more difficult for attackers to find weaknesses or cause damage.

WordPress Hardening Checklist

Here’s a detailed WordPress hardening checklist to improve the security of your WordPress site and reduce the risk of attacks:

• Use Strong Usernames and Passwords – Never use “admin,” your site name, or your real name as a username. Pair that with strong, unique passwords that include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. The harder your credentials are to guess, the safer your site becomes.

• Limit Login Attempts – Hackers use brute-force attacks to test millions of password combinations until they find the right one. Limiting login attempts locks out malicious users after a set number of failed tries. This simple step drastically cuts the risk of unauthorized access.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – 2FA requires users to provide a second form of verification, like a one-time code from a mobile app. Even if hackers manage to steal your password, they won’t be able to log in without this second factor. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve WordPress website security.

• Disable File Editing – WordPress allows admins to edit theme and plugin files directly in the dashboard. While convenient, it’s also dangerous – if a hacker gains access, they can inject malicious code immediately. Disabling file editing removes this entry point completely.

• Restrict File Permissions – Sensitive files like wp-config.php and .htaccess should only be accessible by the server, not by outsiders. By tightening file permissions, you prevent hackers from modifying or downloading these critical files. Proper permissions act like locked doors inside your website.

• Keep WordPress Updated – Every update to WordPress core, plugins, and themes includes security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Skipping updates leaves those vulnerabilities wide open for attackers to exploit. Regular updates are a non-negotiable part of hardening WordPress.

• Install a Security Plugin – Tools like Solid Security provide firewall protection, malware scanning, and brute-force defense. These plugins automate many of the steps in this checklist. Think of them as your site’s 24/7 security guard.

• Set Up Regular Backups – Even with the best defenses, no website is 100% safe. Backups act as your safety net, allowing you to restore your site exactly as it was before an attack or crash. Use a reliable plugin like Solid Backups to schedule automatic backups.

• Use SSL/HTTPS – An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your site and its visitors, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive data. Most hosting providers, like Siteground or DreamHost, now offer free SSL, so there’s no excuse to leave your site vulnerable. HTTPS also boosts SEO rankings, making it a win-win.

• Monitor Activity Logs – Keeping track of what users and systems do on your site helps you spot unusual or unauthorized activity. For example, you can quickly see if a user is trying to modify files or log in from an unknown location. Logs provide visibility that makes it easier to respond to threats.

By following this WordPress hardening checklist, you create multiple layers of defense that make it significantly harder for hackers to compromise your site.

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How to Check If Your WordPress Site Is Secure

Regularly scanning your WordPress site is essential to catch vulnerabilities before they cause serious damage.

A great starting point is Sucuri SiteCheck, a free tool that scans your website for malware, viruses, blacklisting status, errors, outdated software, and suspicious code.

For an extra layer of assurance, you should also test your site’s security headers, which help protect against attacks like XSS and clickjacking.

You can do this with Security Headers, a free scan created by security expert Scott Helme.

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How to Give Someone Secure Access to Your WordPress Site

WordPress makes it easy to create multiple user accounts – but the key to security lies in controlling how much access each person has. By assigning the right role, you can ensure collaborators get the tools they need without exposing your site to unnecessary risks.

For example:

• Editors can publish, edit, and delete posts and pages (including those of others), but can’t access sensitive site settings.
• Contributors can only write and edit their own drafts, but they can’t publish them.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main WordPress user roles:

• Administrator – Full access to everything, including the backend and site settings.
• Editor – Manage, publish, and edit all posts and pages.
• Author – Write, edit, and publish their own posts only.
• Contributor – Write and edit drafts, but cannot publish.
• Subscriber – Can only manage their profile.

💡 Security tip: Only assign the minimum level of access required for someone to do their job. If a user no longer needs access, delete their account right away to close security gaps.

👉 To create new user accounts, simply follow the same steps described in item #2 of this guide.

How to Improve WordPress Security – Conclusion

Improving WordPress security is not something you can afford to postpone.

Every single day, hundreds of bots and hackers attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in WordPress websites, and yours could easily be a target. Whether you’re a beginner just launching your first blog or an experienced site owner, taking action now is the best way to safeguard your hard work.

Stay proactive by updating plugins, monitoring threats, and following proven security practices.

By staying one step ahead, you’ll protect your content, your audience’s trust, and the future of your website.