The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist to Safeguard Your Website

The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist to Safeguard Your Website

WordPress security has become a top priority in 2025 as the platform now powers over 40% of all websites globally. Its popularity has made it a leading target for cyber threats, from brute-force login attempts to plugin vulnerabilities.

According to Hostinger, WordPress websites account for nearly 90% of all CMS-based attacks. MalCare also reports that many successful breaches happen due to weak passwords, outdated themes, and inactive plugins.

This checklist outlines essential practices, tools, and configurations to help secure your site. Whether you're using WordPress security plugins, relying on secure WordPress hosting, or working with a WordPress website development company, these steps will help reduce risk and strengthen protection.

Core Security Basics: Protect Your Foundation

Strong WordPress security starts with the fundamentals. Ignoring the basics can expose your website to unnecessary risk. These basic steps create the foundation for a well-protected site and should be followed by every WordPress website development company or site owner.

Use Strong Passwords Everywhere

Always use complex passwords for admin logins, hosting accounts, FTP, and database access. Avoid using the same password across services.

Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated

Regular updates ensure your site runs on the latest, most secure codebase. Outdated plugins and themes are common entry points for attackers.

Choose Secure WordPress Hosting

A secure hosting provider with firewall protection, malware scanning, and daily backups strengthens your website’s security posture. Reliable, secure WordPress hosting is critical to reduce server-side threats.

Limit Admin Access

Assign admin rights only to essential team members. Use roles wisely and disable unused accounts.

User and Access Control: Limit Vulnerabilities

Effective access control is a foundational part of WordPress security. It helps ensure only trusted users interact with sensitive parts of your site. The checklist towards success involves:

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of identity verification during login. It protects against credential leaks and minimizes unauthorized access attempts.

Set Proper User Roles

Assign users only the access they need to perform their tasks. This limits unnecessary backend exposure and maintains tighter control over your WordPress website.

Limit Login Attempts

Restricting the number of login tries defends against brute-force attacks. Many WordPress security plugins offer this feature with customizable lockout rules.

Avoid Using the Default “admin” Username

Using a unique username for the administrator reduces the chance of being targeted in automated attacks. It is a basic step but often ignored.

Review User Access Regularly

Conduct audits of user roles and access every few months. Removing old accounts or resetting permissions helps maintain long-term security hygiene.

Plugin and Theme Safety: Choose Wisely

Themes and plugins are powerful but often exploited. To maintain strong WordPress security, it's critical to vet and manage them properly. Here are the best practices you can adopt:

Install Only Trusted Plugins and Themes

Use plugins and themes from reputable sources with high ratings and recent updates. Avoid nulled or pirated software as they often contain malware. Trusted options reduce security risks.

Keep Everything Updated

Outdated plugins and themes can become entry points for attackers. Regular updates close known security gaps and keep your WordPress website resilient against emerging threats.

Remove Unused Plugins and Themes

Even inactive plugins can introduce vulnerabilities. Delete anything you’re not actively using to minimize your site’s exposure.

Use Plugins with Active Maintenance

Choose plugins that are actively supported and regularly patched. A well-maintained plugin contributes to long-term WordPress security and performance stability.

Monitor for Plugin Vulnerabilities

Use the latest WordPress development tools or WordPress security plugins that scan for known plugin and theme risks. Set alerts to catch issues before they become threats.

Website Hardening: Advanced Protection Measures

For a truly secure site, you need to go beyond basic settings. Website hardening focuses on tightening system-level defenses to strengthen your overall WordPress security posture.

Install and Renew SSL Certificates

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypts data transmitted between users and your website. Make sure your SSL is properly installed and renewed to maintain HTTPS. It's also a basic trust factor for visitors.

Set Correct File Permissions

Improper file permissions can allow unauthorized access. Use 644 for files and 755 for folders to restrict direct modification. This reduces the chances of backdoor exploits or unauthorized code changes.

Disable File Editing via WordPress Dashboard

By default, WordPress allows file edits through the admin panel. Disabling this option in wp-config.php prevents attackers from injecting malicious code if admin access is compromised.

Hide WordPress Version

Displaying your WordPress version can help attackers identify vulnerabilities. Use functions or plugins to hide version info from both the frontend and the source code.

Secure wp-config.php and .htaccess Files

These files hold critical configurations and should be read-only. Apply strict file permissions and move wp-config.php one level above the root directory when possible.

Backup and Monitoring: Stay Prepared

No matter how strong your WordPress security measures are, things can still go wrong. Regular backups and active monitoring ensure you’re prepared to recover quickly from any breach or error.

Schedule Regular Backups

Set up automatic daily or weekly backups, stored offsite or on the cloud. Backups should include your entire WordPress database, files, themes, and plugins. This gives you a reliable restore point in case of attacks or failures.

Use Activity Log Monitoring Tools

Monitor changes in your admin dashboard, plugin updates, theme edits, and user logins. Activity logs help detect unauthorized behavior early. Many WordPress security plugins, like WP Activity Log, make this process efficient.

Scan for Malware Frequently

Automated malware scans identify injected code or suspicious scripts. Tools like MalCare and Sucuri detect threats that bypass basic security layers. Early detection helps avoid SEO penalties and data leaks.

Enable Uptime and Downtime Alerts

Real-time site monitoring allows you to know the moment your website goes offline. Alerts help you act quickly before visitors notice or rankings are affected.

Proactive Tools and Services: Enhance Security

Strong WordPress security requires more than just good practices, it demands advanced tools and expert insight. These tools and services create a multi-layered defense system that hardens your WordPress security against modern attacks.

Use Trusted WordPress Security Plugins

Install proven solutions like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security. These tools provide firewall protection, malware scanning, login security, and real-time alerts, all essential to a secure WordPress setup.

Configure Web Application Firewalls (WAFs)

Firewalls block malicious traffic before it even reaches your site. Most top-tier WordPress security plugins include WAF features or integrate easily with cloud-based firewalls for added protection.

Schedule Regular Security Audits

Engage a WordPress website development company or use services like WPScan to audit your codebase and configuration. Regular audits help detect vulnerabilities you might miss during routine updates.

Run Vulnerability Scans on Plugins and Themes

Use scanners to check installed plugins and themes for known CVEs. Tools like WPScan or services integrated with secure WordPress hosting providers often automate this process.

Monitor Login and File Change Behavior

Combine your security plugin with a detailed file integrity monitor. If unexpected file changes occur, you’ll be alerted immediately, helping prevent deeper breaches.

Bottomline

WordPress powers more than 40% of websites, which makes strong WordPress security more important than ever. A secure website protects your data, builds user trust, and ensures business continuity.

Start with the basics like using strong passwords, keeping plugins updated, and choosing secure WordPress hosting. Add extra layers of protection with access control, trusted plugins, regular backups, and proactive monitoring. Staying consistent with these practices helps businesses to keep their WordPress website protected and ready for growth in 2025!