The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist for Pre-Launch

Launching a WordPress website is an exciting milestone. You’ve poured time and effort into creating a beautiful, informative platform. But before you hit that “go live” button, there’s an important step that is often overlooked: security. WordPress, due to its popularity, becomes a frequent target for malicious actors. Fortunately, taking some proactive measures during the pre-launch phase can significantly strengthen your website’s defenses.

This comprehensive WordPress security checklist equips you with the essential security measures to fortify your WordPress site before launch. By systematically addressing these points, you create a robust foundation that shields your website from potential vulnerabilities.

Automatic Backups are Your Lifeline

Imagine launching your website only to experience a data breach or technical malfunction that wipes out your content. Nightmare, right? Automatic backups are your safety net. Schedule regular backups of your entire WordPress site, including databases, themes, plugins, and content. Popular backup plugins like UpdraftPlus and VaultPress offer automated scheduling and storage options – some even integrate with cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive for offsite storage.

Harden Your Login Credentials

Brute force attacks, where automated tools attempt to guess usernames and passwords, are a common threat. The first line of defense? Strong, unique passwords for every user account. Enforce password complexity policies that require a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider a minimum password length of 15 characters. Additionally, explore two-factor authentication (2FA) plugins. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a secondary code, sent via text message or a dedicated app, to log in after entering the username and password.

Also, if your username is “admin” – go change that right now. Right this very minute. You should never use Admin as your login name. Get it out of your site forever.

Update WordPress Core, Themes & Plugins Religiously

WordPress releases regular updates that address security vulnerabilities and bugs. Leaving your core software outdated exposes your site to known exploits. You can even set up automatic updates for the WordPress core, themes, and plugins.

Recently I was asked what I thought about automated security updates. Here’s my take in general. Yes, sometimes an update has been known to break a site. It happens. It happens less if you use well-supported, reputable plugins from established developers. However, which is worse – have your site go down for a bit because a plugin update broke it, or having to deal with a hacked site?

Is the best practice having a staging site, running the updates there, checking that everything is good, before pushing to production? Yes. But if that isn’t going to be something you are likely to do, and if you have a website that you probably aren’t logging into a few times a week, then I do recommend the automated updates. It’s really a risk vs. benefit situation.

Secure Your wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file is the heart of your WordPress installation. It stores sensitive information like database credentials and security keys. Here’s how to fortify this crucial file:

• Change Default Database Prefix: WordPress uses a default prefix for database tables. Changing this prefix makes it harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in database queries.
• Restrict File Editing: Disable the ability to edit theme and plugin files directly from the WordPress admin panel. This prevents malicious code injection attempts.

Consider Renaming wp-admin and wp-login.php

These are the default URLs for accessing the WordPress admin panel and login page. By renaming them, you make it more difficult for bots and automated scripts to discover your login points. Remember, obscurity is not security on its own, but it adds another hurdle for attackers. There are plenty of plugins that do this for you. Here’s how to do it using Solid WP (previously iThemes Security).

Leverage a Security Plugin for Added Protection

Security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or SolidWP offer a comprehensive suite of features to enhance your website’s security posture. These plugins typically include:

• Malware scanning and detection.
• Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection that filters out malicious traffic.
• Login attempt monitoring and blocking to prevent brute force attacks.
• File change detection to alert you of unauthorized modifications.
• Security hardening recommendations to optimize your WordPress settings.

However, keep in mind that just activating the plugin isn’t going to be enough. I’ve cleaned up plenty of sites with these plugins installed. Having it properly configured along with all the other security items is what makes your site the most secure. It’s not just this one thing.

Leverage a Web Application Firewall (WAF): An Extra Layer of Defense

A WAF acts as a shield at your website’s entry point, filtering out malicious traffic before it even reaches your server. Some security plugins offer basic WAF functionality, but consider dedicated WAF solutions from providers like Cloudflare for advanced protection. The basic level is free and it’s easy to set up, and can make your site faster as well.

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP): Ditch FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transmits data in plain text, making it inherently insecure. Opt for Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) instead. SFTP encrypts data transfer, safeguarding sensitive information like theme and plugin files during upload or download. Most reputable hosts won’t even offer the FTP option anymore, so if yours does, it may be time for a change.

User Management: Grant Permissions Wisely

Assign user roles and permissions based on the principle of least privilege. This means giving users only the access level they need to perform their designated tasks. Avoid creating administrator accounts unless absolutely necessary. And, more importantly, remove users who should no longer have access. More user accounts are just more opportunities to be hacked.

Monitor Your Website Activity: Stay Alert

Enable user login logging within WordPress to keep track of all login attempts. Security plugins often offer detailed activity logs that track file changes, suspicious activity, and attempted logins. Additionally, consider using website monitoring services that alert you to potential security threats and downtime instances.

Secure Your Development Environment

If you’re developing your website locally or on a staging server, ensure it’s properly secured as well. Here are some key points:

• Use Strong Passwords: Just like your live website, use strong passwords for all accounts on your development environment.
• Limit Access: Only grant access to those who genuinely need it for development purposes.
• Keep Software Updated: Maintain updated software on your development server, including the operating system, web server software (like Apache or Nginx), and PHP.
• Disable Unnecessary Services: Consider disabling any services on your development server that aren’t essential for the development process. This reduces the attack surface for potential vulnerabilities.

Stay Informed: Security Updates & Best Practices

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Subscribe to reputable security blogs and forums to stay updated on the latest threats and best practices. Resources like the WordPress security team blog and Wordfence blog offer valuable insights and recommendations.

Consider Vulnerability Scanning

Security vulnerability scanners can identify potential weaknesses in your website’s code and configuration. While not a foolproof solution, these tools can be valuable assets in your security arsenal. If you are signed up to one of the support plans we offer at Sumy Designs, we scan your site daily for potential threats and deal with them before it becomes a problem.

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By following this comprehensive WordPress security checklist, you significantly enhance the security position of your WordPress website before launch. Remember, security is an ongoing process. Stay vigilant, keep your software updated, and adapt your defenses as new threats emerge. With a proactive approach, you can ensure your WordPress website remains a safe and secure platform for you and your visitors.