December 25, 2012 RGoss 5:30 pm 22 Comments

How-To Keep Your WordPress Blog or Webite, Safe From Hackers

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wordpress-security

This next article might concern most of you because we work so hard on our websites, creating content, it would be very unpleasant if something were to happen to our websites. We recently had a discussing at our Community G+ Groups - about keeping our WordPress websites safe and keeping hackers out.

Harden WordPress’s core,things to do

Now even though this is a major factor there’re ways you can help secure your Hacker WordPress website to help prevent unwanted intruders from gaining access. WordPress is always placing security structures in place to harden the core and servers, so that we can spend more time creating our content and not having to worry about the technical side of things.

But sometimes there’re situations were things might slip threw and make life a living hell, that’s why we have to learn how- to Harden the WordPress core or our WordPress websites, what does this all mean? keep reading to find out.

Keeping WordPress intruders out

1- Running backups regularly gives you a peace of mind

Trying to keep your WordPress account safe can be done in a number of ways, but first what we all need to do is run backups of our content on a regular bases.

If you have cpanel which I’m assuming you do, then they have great cpanel backup tutorials‘ - that will show you how you can complete a full backup of all your files and database and safely store those backup files on your computer just in case something goes wrong with your hosting accounts. You may also refer to WordPress’s Data Backup page, for more details.

As webmaster’s, yes that means you, we have to do our part to also secure our WordPress accounts with just a few helpful tips we can use to make it more secure.

2- Use stronger passwords upper & Lower case letters to secure your account and keep intruders out.

When you first setup your WordPress account make sure you use a strong password with upper and lower case letter. Selecting a strong password will make it difficult for anyone to gain access to your account.

I also recommend never using the same password for multiple accounts here’s why, if for some reason someone just happen to gain access to your WordPress account and you’re using that same password for other accounts you just made it easier for that hacker to take full control over all your content.

I can also recommend changing your user password about every few months to help deflect any or all attempts from any outsiders.

By using different passwords for multiple accounts at least you have time to make any changes if necessary to prevent any further damage.

3- Keep your WordPress account and plugins, updated

The lack of updating your WordPress account is certainly a potentially risk that may cause an intruder to gain access to your WordPress account. When updates are released for WordPress or any plugins, there’re important to take those updates in order to fix any bugs and patch and security breaches. You can always find the latest version of WordPress by visiting WordPress.org.

Example: Let’s say WordPress has detected a breach in one of their servers and just added a security update to close that hole, if you don’t take that update to the current version, it will allow hackers to gain access to your account.

Each time there’s an update available make sure you take it for any plugins or to update WordPress software, don’t just leave that update sitting there in your dashboard because it may cost you your website in the long run.

4- Security plug-ins to help secure your website.

This next plug-in was introduced to me and will give you much more protection, Bullet proof security- will create ( htaccess ) files to allow it’s user’s to password protect your directories. You can make any adjustments to this plug-in right from your WordPress dashboard which is simple and straight forward.

Darren Rowse at Problogger - also provides helpful tips on how to secure your website, this next guest post was submitted by David Wang- titled, Take 5 minutes to make WordPress 10 times more secure. This article gives you an in dept idea on how to secure the root of your WordPress account to leave nothing unprotected.

Please note: This post is by no means going to completely stop all intruders from attempting to gain access to your WordPress account, but at least you have something to work with to help keep them out.

If you would like to share your tips with us by all means do, I would love to know what you’re thinking

Filed Under: blog Tagged: WordPress Tips

My name is Robert G, I am a freelance Writer and Blogger. I have been married to a wonderful women Carmen G, for the past 24-years. I provide helpful blogging tips and Information covering a wide verity of topics. I thank you so much for allowing me to share my content and knowledge with you all.

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Comments

Brenda says:

December 25, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Great tips Rob! I hope those who are self-hosting on WordPress read your post and take action immediately. A hacked blog is no fun!

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RGoss says:

December 25, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Thanks Brenda I hope this article helps them or at least gives them a starting point. Thank you so much for your visit don’t be a stranger

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David says:

December 26, 2012 at 9:34 pm

Rob your post is very informative and provides some great tips I always know were to go to get the help I need. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.

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RGoss says:

December 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm

You bet David thank you for the kind words it’s all worth it .

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Lisa says:

December 27, 2012 at 11:35 am

I just started those back-ups in C-panel. I sure don’t want to be hacked. I’ve heard of several in 2012 that were. That would put me over the top

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- RGoss says:
  
  December 27, 2012 at 9:21 pm
  
  Hi Lisa yes it’s important to maintain those backups weekly because that is the only way your content can be restored by your web hosting provider.
  
  They will need the latest backup you have in order to restore your website if something should go wrong, in some cases they might even charge you if you don’t have a backup TAR file so that they may use to restore your website.
  
  I do backups at least twice a week because I do a lot or editing and I am always changing something on my blog. Thank you so much for your comment it’s nice to exchange thoughts with you. I hope to see you as a regular reader
  
  Reply
  - Lisa says:
    
    December 28, 2012 at 4:29 pm
    
    Oh yes, there is a $15 charge for any restores that need to be done if not backed up. Excellent points! This just reminded me I’m due now for another. I did learn my host does some automatically too. Hostgator has been awesome to work with.
    
    Reply
    - RGoss says:
      
      December 28, 2012 at 8:21 pm
      
      Still a small price to pay to restore your content. The backups that are made at Hostgator and I’m assuming most other are servers on done at certain times and can not always restore your content depending are when they do the backup and when you made any changes to your website.
      
      This can sometimes be disappointing if you were to depend on your host to restore your content that’s why I do backup at least twice a week and after any and all editing.Thanks so much for stopping Lisa always glad to share out interest.
      
      Reply
Adrienne says:

December 27, 2012 at 7:24 pm

Hi Rob,

My guest author this month wrote about her unfortunate mishap with her blog although it wasn’t exactly hacked. It was more like high-jacked.

Because of her unfortunate mishaps with her blog she has now created her own product on how to keep our blogs safe from hackers. Thank goodness for her too because I’ve learned so much from her bad experiences and seriously had no idea that people actually would mess with your property. Call me naive I suppose but that’s just mean don’t you think.

Securing your blogs is such an important task and although you may never keep them all out, you’ll make it harder for them to get in and they might just want to move on to someone who is just easier to access.

Great post and an important topic, one I sure hope everyone pays attention to.

Hope you and Carmen had a wonderful Christmas.

~Adrienne

P.S. Just thought you might want to know that your Twitter ID isn’t set up in your social icon. You might want to look at that so you’ll know who is sharing your content.

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- RGoss says:
  
  December 27, 2012 at 9:40 pm
  
  Hello Adrienne it’s also a pleasure to see you here, it’s great to see bloggers like your self give their opinions on a topics like this one.
  
  Sorry to here about your friend getting hack I could imagine what that was like not an easy thing to deal with.
  
  Trying to secure your blogs sometimes takes a little common sense also. We all know things are not safe on the web and there’re always people looking to find ways a harm others, let’s just make it as hard as possibly for anyone one to gain access to our content. We can only use the tools provide to use to secure our website and don’t let that stop you from doing what we love to do blog.
  
  This brings up another topic, having to log-in with other social networks user names and passwords. I don’t really like it and always hesitate especially with my Gmail account, but it seems it more common these days.
  
  I try the social icons and they seem to work on this end, are you referring the ones at the very top of my blog?
  
  Thank you so much Adrienne for taking the time to stop it’s always a pleasure…..Come back again soon
  
  Reply
Lisa says:

December 29, 2012 at 5:37 pm

I just had to come and check your Comment Luv plug in- very nice!
Lisa recently posted…Follow Friday Is Back and Newly Redesigned

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- RGoss says:
  
  December 29, 2012 at 5:45 pm
  
  Hi Lisa finally got it working and it seems to be OK, is it working on your end? I did email Andy and he responded ASAP and help me out. Thanks so much for recommending him for support.
  
  RGoss recently posted…How-To Keep Your WordPress Blog or Webite, Safe From Hackers
  
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Lisa says:

December 29, 2012 at 5:46 pm

Yes, worked perfect. Yes, Andy is amazing. I had emailed him once and he got right back to me with an answer. Glad you received the same kind of response and that it’s all set. You will love it!
Lisa recently posted…Follow Friday Is Back and Newly Redesigned

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- RGoss says:
  
  December 29, 2012 at 5:53 pm
  
  Yes already do thanks so much for being a great help, and the others at the community have been wonderful, maybe I need to clone you guys. J/K
  
  Hope you have a great weekend Lisa,
  RGoss recently posted…How-To Keep Your WordPress Blog or Webite, Safe From Hackers
  
  Reply
Deone Higgs says:

January 6, 2013 at 12:53 pm

Hey Robert,

Great tips provided here, my friend. This just goes to show that no matter how long we’ve been doing something, there is always room for growth. I say that, because I’ve been blogging for a year and a half now. And right off the bat, I’ve seen something that I haven’t been applying to protect my website. The only backup I do at the moment is through this app called, Dropbox. Are you familiar with it? Anyways, I hadn’t thought about backing them up through the cpanel, and I can see how that would prove handy for more website security.

I love the flow of your website, mate. You’re a very good writer! You’re definitely being adding to my RSS feed. Thanks for stopping over on my site to introduce yourself. I look forward to networking further with you.

Happy and prosperous 2013 to you and yours. Cheers and Blessings.

Deone
Deone Higgs recently posted…Why I am Choosing the Power of Influence over Popularity in 2013

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- RGoss says:
  
  January 6, 2013 at 1:46 pm
  
  Hello Deone, it’s a pleasure to have you with us my friend, and thank you so much for the complement much appreciated.
  
  I’ve heard only good things about Dropbox but I have never used it, it is a payed service correct? and how’s it working for you so far.
  
  Backing up your website using your cpanel is a good idea because it will make it easier for your host to help you recover your website files should something go wrong.
  
  How off ten do you make backups of your website Deone?
  
  Looking forward to connecting with you and any help you might need with your website. Have a wonderful day my friend and don’t be a stranger. RobG
  RGoss recently posted…How-to Engage online And Build Readership
  
  Reply
Mayura says:

January 12, 2013 at 7:19 am

Hey Rob,

Eventhough I’m not on WordPress, I know how much security matters as I’ve heard and witnessed how some blogs and websites compromised and vanish into thin air. Online is a place where we can’t bet on when it comes to safety so we need to take action towards it regularly.

Backup and passwords are the most visible reason for such cases as I’ve seen and it’s yet sad that people not aware o ‘em until something happen to them. Ugh… Sometimes we can’t change the minds but wh would like t change will embrace and take action to secure their valuable sites

I remember once a plugin becomes trouble for a friend as it wasn’t updated more than 2 years. Always better to use up-to-date plugins as WordPress is mostly runs with plugins.

Thanks for wonderful post Rob That’s really helpful for WordPress buddies. Let’s hope more people will take your helping hand make their blogs more secure

Cheers…
Mayura recently posted…How to Schedule Your Social Media Updates with Buffer

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- RGoss says:
  
  January 12, 2013 at 9:35 am
  
  Hello Mayura thanks so much for stopping by my friend, I can’t stress enough how important it is to run backups of your content just to have a peace of mind.
  
  I do backups every week and when ever time I writing new articles, it’s a habit with me because I want to know I have my content backup in case something happens.
  
  Never let anyone manage what you work so hard for, I also think there’re so many new bloggers and people, creating new websites that there’s just the lack of knowledge and people don’t know how important it is to secure your blog or websites.
  
  In any case we sometimes have to learn the hard way but I try to publicize how important this matter really is. Thanks so much for your visit Mayura it’s always a pleasure my friend. Have a wonderful weekend.
  RGoss recently posted…How-to Engage online And Build Readership
  
  Reply
JanBierens says:

January 23, 2013 at 9:17 pm

Excellent post. About coming up with a secure password: Did you know that dyslectic people come up with the strongest passwords?
A ‘three strikes and you’re out’ approachon your front end works in most cases. More advanced attacks are hard to fence of. PHP injection for example can only be prevented by your host…
Backing up things is ALWAYS a good policy.
JanBierens recently posted…How YOU can Engage With MY Community

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- RGoss says:
  
  January 23, 2013 at 9:32 pm
  
  Hello Jan, thanks so much my friend glad you like it. I don’t count on anyone one when it comes to my blog, I trust no one to keep my hard work safe only me.
  
  I run backup at least a few times a week because I’m always making changes to my theme and adding new blog post.
  
  There’re a few good app plug-ins you can use but I don’t even trust those because they hosted on someones else’s server.
  
  I always recommend people to keep their passwords, to their self’s and not share it with anyone.
  
  Thank you so much for stopping by my friend it’s always a pleasure, Oh and hows the married life? I have been married for almost 24-years
  RGoss recently posted…How Do Bloggers Start Their Day? Hey You, Wake Up.
  
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Enstine Muki says:

January 31, 2013 at 6:44 pm

Hi Rob,
Truth is, we cannot be sure of 100% protection but that doesn’t mean we should sit and open doors. I do really like these tips and I can say quite frankly that the most recommended security measure is regular backups. Anything else should follow.

There are tons of backup plugins. If we are so lazy enough or just too busy, we can ‘outsource’ the process to a well designed automated plugin.

We should not only rely on our host for backups. It’s good to keep copies locally. That means we have full control, inside out.

I use Better WP Security. It has tons of options to keep yourself pretty secured

Thanks for sharing this with us on your blog.

BTW, which plugin are you using for related posts?
Enstine Muki recently posted…5 Deadly Mistakes of Guest Blogging

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- RGoss says:
  
  January 31, 2013 at 11:33 pm
  
  Hello Enstine, Yes you are correct we should not depend on anyone to secure our content but our self’s because it’s our job to make sure our hard work is safe.
  
  Most people feel it’s the hosting companies job to backup our website but they will even tell you that it’s not their responsibly. Plus it will give you a peace of mind knowing you backup your own content and it nice and safe…
  
  I’m using -Yet Another Related Posts Plugin, for my post.
  RGoss recently posted…Increase Blog Comments, Gain More Traffic, Use The CommentLuv Plug-in
  
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