Improving your WordPress security

Firstly, what is WordPress?

WordPress is the most powerful and most widely used content management system (CMS) in the world. It currently has roughly 67% of the market share for all CMSs and is used to power nearly 20% of all websites on the internet.

It’s our responsibility to make sure all our customers sites are kept up to date, perform well, but most importantly, are secure.

Let’s start with the basics, here are 3 tips we’ve learnt along the way.

1. Use a strong password

If you’re getting serious about security, updating your password, and the passwords of others who have access to your site, are where you should start.

A good password will usually contain a mixture of numbers, letters and symbols. Rubbish at remembering strange passwords? We definitely recommend you look at 1Password. It’s perfect for storing all your site logins and website hosting details.

2. Use secure hosting

When it comes to finding a good host, try to stick with reputable, well-known companies. Investing in your hosting should be a priority and it doesn’t have to cost the earth.

3. Use credible themes and plugins

When you first install WordPress, it comes with a bunch of pre-made themes and plugins for you to use right off the bat which on a whole is helpful but if you don’t keep on top of the updates, it can lead to security holes.

There are a huge number of plugins available from the WordPress plugins directory, the passion of WordPress development community is fantastic, but sometimes a few bad apples get through.

The best tip we can offer before you install a theme or plugin on your site is take a minute to look at the reviews and be dubious about newer plugins that are yet to be rated.

[Tweet “We have only two modes – complacency and panic.”]

WordPress security is a dull topic but it’s easy to get the basics right 😇.

Karsten Rowe Harrogate Web Design signature.

Published by Karsten Rowe

Karsten is a Product Design Director, with over 15 years of industry history. Based in Seattle. Focused on teams, UI, UX, and design systems.