Securing your WordPress website is vital to protect your business and your users’ data. With businesses ranging from NSW to Southeast Asia, the Ribbon Gang understands the importance of site security. Here are several strategies to secure your WordPress site against hackers and spam:

1. Keep WordPress Updated: 

Always keep your WordPress installation, plugins, and themes updated to the latest version. Many updates contain security enhancements that protect your site from known vulnerabilities.

2. Use Strong Passwords: 

Ensure all your users utilise strong, unique passwords. This applies to your WordPress accounts, FTP accounts, and your database. Consider using a password manager to store your passwords securely.

3. Limit Login Attempts: 

To prevent brute force attacks, limit the number of failed login attempts from a single IP address. Plugins like Login LockDown or iThemes Security can help with this.

4. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 

For added security, use a plugin like Wordfence or Google Authenticator to add 2FA to your WordPress login screen.

5. Install a Security Plugin: 

Security plugins like Sucuri or Wordfence offer comprehensive security features, including malware scanning, firewall protection, and more.

6. Use a Secure Hosting Provider: 

Choose a hosting provider known for taking security seriously, offering things like regular server updates, firewalls, and other security enhancements.

7. Regular Backups: 

Regular backups won’t prevent a hack, but they’re your best recovery option in case of a security breach. Consider using a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup.

8. Spam Protection for Comments: 

To prevent comment spam, consider using a plugin like Akismet, which automatically filters spam comments.

9. SSL Certificate: 

An SSL certificate (https://) encrypts the data transferred between your site and your visitors. You can get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or through your hosting provider.

10. Disable File Editing: By default, WordPress allows you to edit theme and plugin files from the WordPress dashboard. Disabling this feature can improve security by limiting what a hacker can do if they gain access to your dashboard.

Remember, website security is not a set-and-forget task. It requires continuous attention and maintenance. Stay vigilant, and if you need further assistance, reach out to Ribbon Gang through our support/ticketing form. Up next, we’ll cover the best practices for managing media files on WordPress, so stay tuned!