Here is the reassuring truth about website security: most attacks are not personal. They are automated bots scanning millions of sites for known weaknesses. The unsettling part is that those weaknesses are common — but the same automation that makes attacks relentless also makes them preventable. Here are five security basics every WordPress owner should have in place.
1. Strong logins and limited admin accounts
Use long, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on every administrator account. Just as important: only give full admin access to people who genuinely need it. Every extra admin account is another door.
2. Keep everything updated
Outdated plugins, themes, and WordPress core are the number-one way sites get compromised. Updates are not just new features — they are security patches. Apply them promptly.
3. Automatic daily backups
If the worst happens, a recent backup turns a catastrophe into an inconvenience. Back up daily, store copies off your server, and — crucially — test that a backup can actually be restored.
4. An SSL certificate
SSL is what puts the padlock and the “https” in your address bar. It encrypts data between your site and your visitors, and browsers now actively warn people away from sites without it. It is essential, and it should be standard.
5. Malware scanning and a firewall
A web application firewall blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your site, and regular malware scanning catches anything that slips through. Together, they handle the automated threats that make up most attacks.
Warning signs your site may be compromised
Watch for unexpected redirects, unfamiliar pop-ups or content, a sudden slowdown, browser security warnings, or a notice from Google. If you notice these, act quickly.
If you have been hacked
Stay calm. Take the site offline if you can, change all passwords, restore from a clean backup, update everything, and run a full malware scan before going live again.
We are here to help
Every one of these basics — updates, daily backups, SSL, malware scanning, and firewall protection — is built into our managed hosting. Learn more about our Managed WordPress Hosting, and if you would rather not manage security yourself, we are here to help.