10 Proven Ways to Improve WordPress Website Security (Even If You’re Not a Developer)

In today’s digital age, keeping your WordPress website security tight is more critical than ever. Whether you’re running a blog, an e-commerce store, or a membership site, cyber threats are real—and they don’t wait. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the most effective strategies to bolster your WordPress defenses. We’ll cover everything from essential security checks to reliable plugins, and even how to perform a comprehensive security audit. By the end, you’ll feel empowered to take concrete steps to safeguard your site.

Why  Website Security Matters

When you hear about WordPress website security issues, you might think, “Why would anyone target my site?” But hackers don’t discriminate. They scan the web for vulnerabilities, and if your site is easy prey, it could become a victim of:

• Malware injections

• Brute-force login attacks

• DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks

• Data theft or defacement

In short, how to increase WordPress website security isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a must.

WordPress  Security Checklist: Where to Start

Before diving into advanced tools and scans, get your basic foundation right. Use this WordPress website security checklist:

1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes & Plugins Updated

   • Always update to the latest WordPress version

   • Remove unused themes or plugins

   • Use trusted sources (like the WordPress.org repository)

2. Use Strong Login Credentials

   • Enforce strong passwords for all users

   • Change default “admin” username

   • Limit login attempts to thwart brute-force attacks

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

   • Require a second factor (like SMS or authenticator app)

   • Adds a critical layer of defense

4. Use Secure Hosting

   • Choose a host with built-in malware scanning, firewall, and SSL

   • Ensure your hosting provider follows best security practices

5. Enable SSL / HTTPS

   • Use an SSL certificate to encrypt data

   • Google favors HTTPS, which helps with SEO too

6. Implement Regular Backups

   • Use automated backup solutions

   • Store backups off-site (e.g., cloud storage)

7. Set Correct File Permissions

   • Limit write permissions for wp-config.php and other key files

   • Prevent unauthorized file changes

8. Disable File Editing

   • In your wp-config.php, add:

     define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);


Best Website Security Plugins

One of the easiest—and most effective—ways to boost your WordPress security is by using reliable plugins. Here are some top-rated ones:

• Wordfence Security: Offers firewall protection, real-time threat defense feed, login security, and malware scanning.

• Sucuri Security: A comprehensive plugin that handles malware scanning, security auditing, and post-hack cleanups.

• iThemes Security: Helps you enforce strong passwords, detect brute-force attacks, and hide critical back-end information.

• All In One WP Security & Firewall: Free and feature-rich, ideal for beginners: enables firewall, account lockdowns, and more.

• Jetpack (Security Module): Includes downtime monitoring, brute-force protection, and automated malware scanning (with paid plans).

These WordPress website security plugins provide a powerful shield when configured properly.

How to Perform a  Website Security Audit

A website security audit is your full health check. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Run a Security Scan

   • Use a WordPress website security scanner like Sucuri SiteCheck or Wordfence

   • Check for malware, outdated code, and known vulnerabilities

2. Review User Accounts

   • Audit all registered users

   • Remove or deactivate old or suspicious accounts

3. Check File Integrity

   • Compare current files with clean versions (e.g., in a local or staging environment)

   • Look for unexpected PHP modifications

4. Inspect Server Settings

   • Confirm PHP version is up-to-date

   • Ensure directory listing is disabled

   • Validate that backups are running and stored securely

5. Evaluate Login Security

   • Confirm 2FA is active

   • Review login logs to detect brute-force or unusual access attempts

6. Test Your Backup & Restore Process

   • Run a trial restore from backups

   • Make sure the process works and is reliable

7. Look at Your SSL/HTTPS Configuration

   • Verify your SSL certificate is valid

   • Test for mixed content warnings

8. Check for Vulnerable Plugins / Themes

   • Use online tools or services to scan for known CVEs

   • Replace or patch any insecure components

Doing this regularly will keep your WordPress site secure in the long run.

Running a Website Security Scan

To uncover vulnerabilities early, run regular scans using WordPress website security check tools. Here are some options:

• Sucuri SiteCheck: Free online scanner that checks for malware, blacklisting, and outdated software.

• Wordfence Scan: Built-in scanner in Wordfence plugin to check your site’s core files, themes, and plugins.

• WPScan: A command-line vulnerability scanner maintained by the WordPress community.

Performing a WordPress  security scan weekly or monthly helps identify risks before they turn into real problems.

Common WordPress Website Security Issues & How to Fix Them

Here are some common WordPress website security issues and actionable solutions:

Addressing these issues consistently strengthens your overall security posture.

Advanced WordPress Security Testing

For more robust protection, go beyond scans and perform advanced testing:

1. Penetration Testing

   • Hire a professional or use pentest tools to simulate real-world attacks.

   • Identify zero-day vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

2. Vulnerability Assessments

   • Use tools like Nessus or OpenVAS to perform network-level vulnerability scanning.

   • Evaluate server configuration, open ports, and known CVEs.

3. WAF (Web Application Firewall)

   • Consider a cloud-based WAF (e.g., Cloudflare, Sucuri)

   • Or use a plugin-based firewall (e.g., in Wordfence)

4. Security Logging & Monitoring

   • Set up logging for your WordPress site (access logs, error logs)

   • Use monitoring tools (e.g., WP Activity Log) to track changes and detect anomalies

These WordPress website security testing methods give you deeper insight into potential threats.

How to Increase WordPress Security: Best Practices

Here’s a quick summary of best practices in plain language:

• Always use strong, unique passwords for all users

• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

• Keep everything—core, themes, and plugins—updated

• Use a secure, reputable hosting provider

• Run regular backups and test the restore process

• Scan your site with a security checker regularly

• Use a firewall and limit login attempts

• Monitor login activity and changes on your site

Together, these steps go a long way to increase  website security.

Check WordPress Website Security Online — Tools You Can Use

Here’s a curated list of trusted free WordPress website security scanner and checkers:

• Sucuri SiteCheck — Free external scanner for malware, blacklist status, and security issues

• WPScan Vulnerability Database — Community-driven vulnerability database for WP plugins and themes

• Security Plugins’ Built-in Scanners — Wordfence, iThemes Security, All In One WP Security

• Google Safe Browsing — Check if your site is flagged by Google (via Google Transparency Report)

Using these tools helps you check WordPress website security online regularly.

Building a Culture of Security: Why It’s Not One-and-Done

WordPress website security is not a “set it and forget it” task. Cyber threats evolve, and your defenses must evolve with them. Here’s how you build a long-term security mindset:

• Schedule regular security audits (quarterly or bi-annually)

• Automate backups, scans, and updates wherever possible

• Educate your team or contributors about basic security habits

• Monitor for suspicious activity and act quickly on alerts

• Keep a recovery plan ready so you can restore quickly after a breach

When you build a security-first approach, you reduce risk and build trust with your users.

Why Trusting Your WordPress Security to Free Tools Isn’t Enough

Free scanners and plugins are great, but they have limitations:

• They may not catch zero-day threats

• They don’t always offer real-time protection or clean-up services

• Free tools may lack the sophistication of paid security services

For full peace of mind, consider combining:

• Regular use of free WordPress website security checker tools

• A reputable security plugin

• Cloud-based Web Application Firewall (WAF) if your site handles sensitive data

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a WordPress website security scan?
A: A WordPress website security scan is a process where a security tool or plugin examines your WordPress installation—core files, themes, and plugins—for malware, vulnerabilities, or suspicious modifications.

Q: How often should I perform a WordPress website security audit?
A: Ideally, you should do a full WordPress website security audit at least once every 3–6 months or after major updates. Regular WordPress website security scans (weekly or monthly) complement these audits.

Q: Can I do a WordPress website security check for free?
A: Yes. Tools like Sucuri SiteCheck or the scanning feature in plugins like Wordfence provide free WordPress website security check functionality. However, free tools may have limitations compared to paid services.

Q: What are the best WordPress website security plugins?
A: Some of the top WordPress website security plugins include Wordfence Security, Sucuri Security, iThemes Security, and All In One WP Security & Firewall.

Q: How do I increase WordPress website security without paying?
A: You can improve security by keeping your site updated, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, using a free security plugin, performing regular backups, and running free WordPress website security scanner tools.

Q: My WordPress site was hacked. What now?
A: If you’ve been breached, immediately run a full WordPress website security audit and scan, restore from a clean backup, change all passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and reinforce your security checklist.

Conclusion

Protecting your site from the growing number of threats isn’t optional—it’s essential. By following the WordPress website security checklist, using trusted security plugins, and performing regular scans with a WordPress website security scanner, you’re taking meaningful action.

Ready to start? Head over to our Free AI Tools Website where we offer free resources and tools designed to help you secure, monitor, and optimize your WordPress site. Whether you’re doing a quick security check or planning a full-scale audit, our tools are here to assist you.