Top 25 WordPress Security Best Practices and Tips to Follow in 2025: WordPress Security Masterclass – Defeat Hackers & Malware
In 2025, WordPress continues to dominate the web as one of the most popular content management systems (CMS). However, its widespread use also makes it a prime target for hackers and cybercriminals. To ensure your website remains secure and resilient against attacks, it’s essential to follow the best practices in WordPress security.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the Top 25 WordPress Security Best Practices and Tips you need to follow in 2025 to protect your website from hackers, malware, and other cyber threats.
1. Use Strong Passwords
Always use complex, unique passwords for your WordPress admin and database. A combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters makes it much harder for attackers to crack.
2. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA for an extra layer of protection. Even if an attacker guesses your password, they’ll still need the second form of authentication to access your site.
3. Update WordPress Regularly
Always keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated to the latest versions. Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities.
4. Use Trusted Themes and Plugins
Only install themes and plugins from reputable sources. Avoid using nulled (cracked) versions, as they often contain malware.
5. Limit Login Attempts
Limit the number of login attempts to prevent brute force attacks. Use plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to enforce this rule.
6. Secure wp-config.php
Move the wp-config.php file one level up from the WordPress root directory to enhance its security. You can also add additional security rules to this file to protect your site.
7. Disable Directory Listing
Ensure that directory listing is disabled. This will prevent hackers from viewing a list of files in your directories if they try to access a non-existent page.
8. Use SSL Encryption
Secure your website with an SSL certificate to encrypt data sent between users and your server. This improves security and boosts SEO rankings.
9. Backup Your Website Regularly
Set up automatic backups using plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy. Regular backups ensure you can restore your website in case of an attack or data loss.
10. Change the Default Admin Username
The default “admin” username is often targeted by hackers. Always change it to something unique and hard to guess.
11. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Install a firewall like Cloudflare or Sucuri to protect your WordPress site from a wide range of attacks, including DDoS, brute force, and malware injections.
12. Limit User Privileges
Grant users only the necessary permissions for their roles. Avoid giving admin privileges unless absolutely necessary.
13. Keep Your Hosting Environment Secure
Choose a hosting provider that offers strong security measures, including server firewalls, regular security scans, and malware removal services.
14. Monitor User Activity
Use plugins like WP Security Audit Log to monitor user activity and detect suspicious behavior on your site.
15. Disable XML-RPC
XML-RPC can be exploited in brute-force attacks. If you don’t use it for mobile apps or remote connections, consider disabling it in your WordPress settings.
16. Use Security Plugins
Install top-rated security plugins like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri Security to add additional layers of protection to your website.
17. Secure Your FTP/SFTP Connections
Always use secure FTP (SFTP) rather than regular FTP to prevent hackers from intercepting sensitive data during file transfers.
18. Set Correct File Permissions
Ensure that your WordPress file permissions are set correctly. For example, files should have a permission level of 644, and directories should be set to 755.
19. Disable WordPress Version Disclosure
By default, WordPress reveals its version number in the HTML source code. Disabling this prevents attackers from knowing the version you’re using and targeting known vulnerabilities.
20. Regularly Scan for Malware
Run regular malware scans using security plugins or services like MalCare or Sucuri to ensure your website is free from malicious code.
21. Limit Plugin Use
The more plugins you install, the more potential vulnerabilities your website has. Only use the essential plugins and ensure they are actively maintained and updated.
22. Use Secure Email Accounts
Always use secure and dedicated email accounts for WordPress communication. Avoid using the default WordPress email address.
23. Harden Your .htaccess File
Customize your .htaccess file to block malicious requests, restrict access to certain directories, and enforce strong security rules.
24. Monitor for Brute Force Attacks
Regularly monitor your site for brute force attempts using security plugins or services. Many WAFs also come with brute-force detection features.
25. Educate Your Team and Users
Security is not just about technology—it’s also about awareness. Train your team and users on best practices for maintaining security, such as not clicking on suspicious links and recognizing phishing emails.
By following these Top 25 WordPress Security Best Practices and Tips for 2025, you can significantly reduce the risk of hacking, malware, and data breaches on your WordPress site. Remember, security is an ongoing process, so stay vigilant, regularly update your site, and keep an eye out for potential threats. In a digital landscape that’s constantly evolving, it’s crucial to implement robust, multi-layered security measures to ensure your WordPress website remains safe and secure.