Security Best Practices for WordPress Sites in 2024

WordPress security is more critical than ever. With WordPress powering over 40% of websites, it’s a prime target for attackers. But with the right security practices, you can protect your WordPress sites from the vast majority of threats.

The WordPress Security Landscape

WordPress sites face numerous security challenges:

• Brute force attacks targeting login pages
• Plugin vulnerabilities from outdated or poorly coded plugins
• SQL injection attempts through forms and URLs
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks
• Malware injection through compromised themes or plugins
• DDoS attacks aimed at taking sites offline

The good news? Most of these threats can be prevented with proper security measures.

Core WordPress Security Fundamentals

1. Keep Everything Updated

This is the single most important security practice:

• WordPress Core: Enable automatic updates for minor releases
• Themes and Plugins: Update regularly and remove unused ones
• PHP Version: Use the latest supported PHP version
• Server Software: Keep your web server and database updated

2. Use Strong Authentication

Weak passwords are still the #1 cause of WordPress breaches:

• Complex Passwords: Use unique, strong passwords for all accounts
• Two-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA for all admin accounts
• Limit Login Attempts: Prevent brute force attacks
• Change Default Username: Never use “admin” as a username

3. Implement Proper File Permissions

Correct file permissions prevent unauthorized access:

# Directories should be 755 or 750
find /path/to/wordpress/ -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

# Files should be 644 or 640
find /path/to/wordpress/ -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

# wp-config.php should be 600
chmod 600 wp-config.php

4. Secure wp-config.php

Your wp-config.php file contains sensitive information:

// Move wp-config.php outside web root
// Add security keys (use WordPress generator)
define('AUTH_KEY',         'put your unique phrase here');
define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY',  'put your unique phrase here');
// ... more security keys

// Disable file editing in admin
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

// Force SSL for admin
define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

// Hide WordPress version
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');

Advanced Security Measures

1. Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your WordPress site:

• Cloudflare: Free tier includes basic DDoS protection
• Sucuri: Comprehensive security and malware scanning
• Wordfence: WordPress-specific security plugin

2. SSL/TLS Certificates

HTTPS is essential for:

• Protecting data in transit
• SEO rankings (Google favors HTTPS sites)
• User trust and confidence

Use services like Let’s Encrypt for free SSL certificates.

3. Database Security

Protect your WordPress database:

// Use non-standard database prefix
$table_prefix = 'wp_xyz_';

// Create dedicated database user with minimal privileges
// GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON database.* TO 'user'@'localhost';

4. Content Security Policy (CSP)

Implement CSP headers to prevent XSS attacks:

# In .htaccess
Header always set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline';"

WordPress-Specific Security Hardening

1. Hide WordPress Version

Remove version information that helps attackers:

// Remove version from head
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');

// Remove version from RSS feeds
add_filter('the_generator', '__return_empty_string');

// Remove version from CSS and JS
function remove_version_scripts_styles($src) {
    if (strpos($src, 'ver=')) {
        $src = remove_query_arg('ver', $src);
    }
    return $src;
}
add_filter('style_loader_src', 'remove_version_scripts_styles', 9999);
add_filter('script_loader_src', 'remove_version_scripts_styles', 9999);

2. Disable XML-RPC

Unless you need it, disable XML-RPC to prevent attacks:

// Disable XML-RPC
add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');

// Remove XML-RPC pingback
add_filter('wp_headers', function($headers) {
    unset($headers['X-Pingback']);
    return $headers;
});

3. Limit Login Attempts

Implement login rate limiting:

// Using plugin like "Limit Login Attempts Reloaded"
// Or implement custom solution:

function check_attempted_login($user, $username, $password) {
    if (get_transient('attempted_login')) {
        $datas = get_transient('attempted_login');
        
        if ($datas['tried'] >= 3) {
            $until = get_option('_transient_timeout_attempted_login');
            $time = time_to_go($until);
            
            return new WP_Error('too_many_tried', 
                sprintf(__('<strong>ERROR</strong>: You have reached authentication limit, you will be able to try again in %1$s.'), 
                $time)
            );
        }
    }
    
    return $user;
}
add_filter('authenticate', 'check_attempted_login', 30, 3);

Security Plugins We Recommend

1. Wordfence Security

• Real-time threat defense
• Malware scanning
• Firewall protection
• Login security

2. Sucuri Security

• Security monitoring
• Malware cleanup
• DDoS protection
• SSL certificate management

3. iThemes Security

• 30+ security measures
• Two-factor authentication
• Malware scanning
• Security reports

Monitoring and Incident Response

1. Security Monitoring

Set up monitoring for:

• Failed login attempts
• File modifications
• Unusual database activity
• Traffic spikes

2. Regular Backups

Implement a backup strategy:

• Daily automated backups
• Offsite storage (cloud services)
• Regular restore testing
• Version retention (keep multiple backup versions)

3. Incident Response Plan

Prepare for security incidents:

1. Detection: Monitor for signs of compromise
2. Containment: Isolate affected systems
3. Eradication: Remove threats and vulnerabilities
4. Recovery: Restore from clean backups
5. Lessons Learned: Update security measures

How PloyWP Handles Security

At PloyWP, security is built into every deployment:

Automated Security Hardening

• Server-level firewalls configured automatically
• WordPress security best practices applied by default
• Regular security updates and patches

Container Isolation

• Each WordPress site runs in its own isolated container
• Limited attack surface through minimal container images
• Automatic security scanning of container images

SSL by Default

• Automatic SSL certificate generation and renewal
• HTTPS enforced for all sites
• Modern TLS configurations

Regular Security Audits

• Automated vulnerability scanning
• Penetration testing
• Security-focused code reviews

Staying Secure: Best Practices Summary

1. Keep everything updated - WordPress core, themes, plugins, and server software
2. Use strong authentication - Complex passwords and two-factor authentication
3. Implement proper backups - Automated, tested, and stored securely
4. Monitor actively - Watch for suspicious activity and failed login attempts
5. Use security plugins - Add an extra layer of protection
6. Follow the principle of least privilege - Give users only the access they need
7. Regular security audits - Review and test your security measures

Conclusion

WordPress security doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By implementing these fundamental practices and staying vigilant, you can protect your WordPress sites from the vast majority of threats.

Remember: security is not a one-time setup but an ongoing process. Stay informed about new threats and continuously improve your security posture.

Want WordPress security handled for you automatically? Check out PloyWP’s security-first deployment platform where professional-grade security comes built-in with every deployment.