How to Enhance the Security of Your WordPress Site Without Any Additional Cost

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites, making it a prime target for hackers. Fortunately, you don’t need expensive plugins or services to secure your site. With some strategic adjustments and best practices, you can significantly enhance your site’s security at no additional cost. In this guide, we’ll walk you through actionable steps to fortify your WordPress site.

1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated

Updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities, making them critical for maintaining security.

• Check for updates under Dashboard > Updates.
• Enable automatic updates by adding this line to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);

Remove unused themes and plugins to reduce potential entry points for attackers.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Weak passwords are one of the leading causes of compromised WordPress sites.

• Create strong passwords with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
• Enable 2FA using free plugins like Wordfence or Google Authenticator.

3. Limit Login Attempts

Brute force attacks involve hackers trying multiple username and password combinations until they gain access.

• Use free plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.
• Alternatively, modify your .htaccess file:

    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

4. Change the Default Admin Username

The default "admin" username is a well-known vulnerability that hackers exploit. Changing it to something unique adds another layer of protection.

• Create a new user with administrator privileges and delete the default "admin" account.
• Alternatively, use the following SQL query if you have database access:

UPDATE wp_users SET user_login = 'new_username' WHERE ID = 1;

5. Disable File Editing in the Dashboard

By default, WordPress allows administrators to edit theme and plugin files directly from the dashboard. Disabling this feature prevents attackers from modifying your site’s code if they gain access.

• Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

6. Secure Your wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file contains sensitive information about your WordPress installation. Protecting it ensures that attackers cannot tamper with your site’s configuration.

• Move the wp-config.php file to a higher directory outside the web root if possible.
• Restrict access to the file by adding the following rules to your .htaccess file:

    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all

7. Implement HTTPS Encryption

Using HTTPS encrypts data between your website and its visitors, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and personal details.

• Obtain a free SSL certificate from services like Let’s Encrypt through your hosting provider.
• Force HTTPS by adding the following lines to your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

8. Regularly Back Up Your Website

While backups aren’t strictly a security measure, they are essential for recovering your site quickly in case of an attack.

• Use free backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup to schedule regular backups.
• Store backups in a secure, offsite location such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

9. Harden Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file controls how your server handles requests. By tweaking it, you can block suspicious activity and improve security.

• Prevent directory browsing by adding this rule:

Options -Indexes

• Block XML-RPC attacks (a common vector for brute force attacks):

    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all

10. Monitor Your Site for Suspicious Activity

Keeping an eye on your site’s performance and logs can help you detect and respond to threats early.

• Check your site’s error logs regularly via your hosting control panel.
• Use free tools like Query Monitor to analyze queries and identify potential issues.
• Set up email notifications for login attempts or changes to core files using plugins like Activity Log.