WordPress is the world’s most popular software solution to running a website. More than 25% of Internet sites today use this as a way of publishing and contents management. WordPress is the easiest blog for large online shops at the largest newspaper sites.There are some simple steps of securing WordPress.

Securing WordPress is like securing a PC.

An attack surface may simply be defined as a potential weakness in a software part’s code or infrastructure. The best comparison is a poor structure in a tower or bridge-the whole system can be unstable if the vulnerability is abused and even collapsed.

In March 2014, a collapse of a major website occurred on over 160,000 WordPress driven pages. Most businesses do all they can to avoid these attacks. Administrators of WordPress must be aware of different vulnerability areas. Some of these have no relation to WordPress but the server or host on which the program runs.

Let’s list these “attack surfaces” and see whether we can learn other safeguards to secure WordPress.

1. The open source code of WordPress

WordPress is open source, so it is likely to be attacked by hackers who know the code very well. Hackers can check for vulnerabilities because the entire code is public and available for review. Thankfully, as many eyes constantly develop the core WordPress program, patches are freed.

Lesson learned: Keep your WordPress core up to date with the latest releases. This means you need to be confident of your update schedule and can perform it as necessary. It is important to keep WordPress up-to-date.

2. Open basics WordPress user accounts

Often WordPress is configured with the “admin” default administrative client. This client is one of the main attack surfaces, because it is easy for hackers to sign in with the default username and a long list of user-typical passwords on their website. Once the admin user has signed in, the website may be compromised and even quickly switched on to other websites. Only about every common WordPress is regularly checked by “bots” to see if the user can log in.

Lesson learned: Create a new administrative user as soon as WordPress is installed and REMOVE the default admin user. You will have to logout from the admin user, and login as the newly created administrative account in order to delete the original admin user. Do not create usernames that have anything to do with your name or your website.

There are also different methods of authentication, which can be enabled through WordPress plug-ins, called “two factor authentications.” A second password, which usually is created on a small, timely basis, is required in this authentication system. There are many providers and companies that support two-factor authentication, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple, including 2-FA.

3. Compromised web hosting

Many Web sites for WordPress run on servers, which can be accessed completely outside WordPress via a username and password. Programmes such as FTP / SSH Admin are used to navigate the WordPress folder and code tree files and servers. Poor usernames and passwords on any of these systems cause enormous vulnerabilities and are regularly tested by hackers.

4. Unprotected WordPress plugins

One of the main reasons for the popularization of WordPress is the amazing group that has developed WordPress functionality extensions, most commonly known as plug-ins. Plugins will alter WordPress ‘ core function greatly, and virtually all WordPress sites already have plugins enabled. Such plugins are often often poorly designed and have immense security vulnerabilities.

Lesson learned: Install and update plug-ins that have excellent reviews and are regularly maintained. Plug-ins that have not been maintained in more than a year should be suspect. It’s best to favor core WordPress functionality every time over a plug-in, when possible. Future versions of WordPress will most certainly make certain plug-ins obsolete, so keep track of the core WordPress functionality.

5. Exposed WordPress themes

WordPress themes give developers full power over a website’s look, feel and functioning Some of the topics are very complicated and require deep WordPress expertise, but many are also poorly conceived. Some of them are also bundled with insecure plug-ins.

6. Unsecured WordPress installation

Eventually, it is possible to secure WordPress itself. The WordPress server can be built with unique table names than the regular database. This is usually done in WordPress management installations where WordPress is installed with many measures typically not included in one-click, shared hosts installations.

In addition, WordPress provides the Editor (available in the Appearance Menu) for the editing of the files. This function is very useful to edit WordPress files and modify them, but sadly, it also enables unauthorized editing of WordPress core files.