WordPress Security Checklist: How to Prevent Hacks and Malware

Last updated: 29th September 2025

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If you are a beginner and have just created your website, it’s essential to ensure the WordPress website security. WordPress is the prime target for internet criminals because of its popularity and many security vulnerabilities.

The best approach to implement the best security on your website is by following the WordPress security checklist. This will be a guide for you to get information on ways to keep your WordPress site safe from malicious traffic, security breaches, and unauthorized access.

Why WordPress Security Matters

WordPress security is one of the most important aspects for your business because it ensures protection of data and keeps your customers safe from data breaches and stealing. WordPress, as one of the most popular content management systems (CMS), is also vulnerable to many security threats.

If you want your website uncompromised from cyberthreats, it is essential to understand important security measures. Some of the important WordPress security measures are regular updates, using strong passwords, and using the WordPress Security Plugin.

So, every website owner should consider this WordPress Security Checklist and actively prevent hacks and malware.

The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist

Here some easy WordPress Security Checklist:

Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Updated

Regular updates are crucial; the checklist starts with regularly updating your WordPress Core, themes, and plugins. It is one of the most effective security measures. Among many of the security measures, this should be your first priority to keep your WordPress core and other features regularly updated.

Here are some necessary aspects you should consider:

Remove any inactive or unused plugins and themes to minimize potential attack vectors.
If possible, enable automatic updates for minor releases.

Use Strong Passwords and Manage User Permissions Wisely

It’s mandatory to have strong login credentials. If you don’t, it’s easy to compromise your security. Here is a quick suggestion: you should choose your password with care.

Here are some direct signs that your WordPress password is weak.

It’s shorter than 12 characters.
It’s a common password (e.g., 123456, password).
It’s a single dictionary word.
It uses predictable patterns (e.g., abc123, your name).
It contains personal information (e.g., birthday, pet’s name).
It lacks a mix of character types (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols.

Suggestions to Improve Your WordPress Password:

Use a Password Manager (Highly Recommended)
Create a Long Passphrase
Prioritize Length Over Complexity
Make it truly unique.
Use the Built-in WordPress Generator.

Limit Login Attempts to Prevent Brute Force Attacks

If you wish to stay away from brute force attacks, it becomes important to utilize the best security measures. This can minimize the risk of brute force and even other cyberattacks. For this you can implement two-factor authentication along with limiting the login attempts for any users.

Here are some measures you should consider:

Use plugins or settings on the server to limit the number of attempts to log in.
After several failed login attempts, block IP addresses.
To cut down on automated login attempts, use CAPTCHA or a similar tool.

Enable Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication, as the name suggests, is an added layer of security for your website. This layer of security protects both the user and the admin panel from unauthorized access. Additionally, if you feel the password is compromised or leaked, these security features can be helpful.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires users to provide a second form of verification in addition to their password. Setting up 2FA involves scanning a QR code using an authenticator app on a mobile device.

Popular authenticator apps for two-factor authentication include Google Authenticator, Authy, and LastPass Authenticator.

Here are some points you should note down:

Only use WordPress security plugins that you know you can trust that work with 2FA.
All high-level access users should be required to use 2FA.
Strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) should be enforced for all user accounts.

Install a Reputable Security Plugin

So, if you made it this far, you should consider using secure security plugins. This plugin should include features like real-time threat detection or malware detection and firewall protection. The plugin should also offer automated updates and protection against the latest vulnerabilities. If you manage to find a plugin with other customizable settings, it’s wonderful.

Here are some simple checklists you must follow while choosing a plugin.

Select plugins with frequent updates and positive reviews.
You can try Iron Security, which is well-known, safe, and best of all, free.
Set alerts for suspicious activity and file changes.

Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF, or web application firewall, is a website security tool that provides your site with protection from unusual and harmful website traffic. It can distinguish the threats and block those attacks. These threats can be cross-site scripting and SQL injection.

WAF is important because it makes sure that only the legit website traffic gets access to your website.

If you decide to use WAF, here are some points you need to consider:

If you want to reduce server load on your server, you should think about cloud-based WAFs that filter traffic externally.
There are numerous firewall plugins for WordPress that incorporate WAF functionality.

Secure Your WordPress Root Directory and Core Files

It’s important to keep your WordPress root directory and core files safe from harmful threats. These are the potential areas that cyberattackers usually target.

You can utilize the .htaccess file to block unauthorized access. Some of the important WordPress files are wp-config.php and index.php.
You should remember to disable file editing in WordPress. This helps to prevent someone from introducing changes to WordPress Core files. You can do this by including define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true); in your wp-config.php.
PHP file execution is not something that is necessary in all situations. These include functions like include(), require(), include_once(), and require_once(). Therefore, you should disable PHP file execution.

Change the Default WordPress Database Prefix

WordPress automatically creates tables for you in the database. This happens while you install the WordPress plugin. The default prefix is “wp_.” These tables are blank shelves that store your WordPress website’s essential data. These data can be posts, users, and settings. This is the default prefix, so it’s easy for attackers to target your website.

Here are things you must consider:

During installation or through plugins, you can change this prefix to a different string.
This easy step will help keep SQL injection attacks from getting into your database.

Secure Your WordPress Login Page and Admin Dashboard

Your default WordPress login URL (/wp-login.php) is like your website’s home address that is public to everyone on the internet. So, you should consider changing the default WordPress login URL to something new.

You change your admin area URL using WordPress security plugins like Iron Security.
If you can, protect the WordPress admin area by using an IP address.
To keep the WordPress login page and admin sessions safe, use SSL certificates.

Install and Configure an SSL Certificate

So, what is an SSL certificate? When anyone opens your website, the information transfers from their device to your WordPress site server. If you don’t utilize an SSL certificate, this information stays public, and anyone can read it. Therefore, it should be your first priority to enable an SSL certificate to safeguard sensitive user data.

If you are new to WordPress, you must know this information:

You can get free SSL if you’re using a well-known and safe hosting company. Therefore, you should not worry.
Change your site’s URL and set up redirects in your .htaccess file to force HTTPS.

Conclusion

Keeping your WordPress site safe might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. By using this ultimate wordpress security checklist as your guide, you can build strong protection step by step.

It all starts with the basics. Make sure you have a very strong password for your WordPress admin account and that you know who has access as WordPress users. Always keep your WordPress version and everything else updated to fix any security vulnerabilities.

Then, you can add some powerful tools. A web application firewall is like a security guard that blocks bad traffic before it can reach your site. You should also protect your important files. The wp config file is the heart of your site, and you can make it safer by using the setting to disable file editing in wordpress. This stops hackers from changing your site’s code if they get in.

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For extra safety, remember to disable php error reporting on your live site by turning off wordpress debug mode. This stops your site from accidentally showing secret information if something goes wrong. Always use a secure file transfer protocol when you upload files to your server.

Finally, the best way to stay safe is to be proactive. Doing a regular wordpress security audit helps you find and fix weak spots before hackers can find them. By following these steps, you are building many layers of security. This protects your wordpress website and gives you peace of mind, so you can focus on what you do best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a major security risk of using outdated WordPress plugins or themes?

Running outdated software on WordPress sites significantly increases vulnerability to hacking and data breaches.

Why is it important to regularly install updates for software/WordPress?

Updates often include important security patches and bug fixes to protect against vulnerabilities.

What is the relationship between weak login credentials and overall WordPress website security?

Weak credentials make security less strong by leaving a door open. If a hacker can easily guess or crack a password, they can get around all the other security measures (like firewalls or software updates) and take over the whole site. This can allow them to steal data, add malware, and change the look of the site.

What are the best practices for securing a WordPress admin account beyond just changing the default admin username?

Best practices for securing a WordPress admin account include:

Strong Password: Use a long, unique password from a manager.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Mandate a second login step.
Limit Login Attempts: Block IPs after failed tries.
Change Login URL: Hide the admin login page from bots.
Use HTTPS: Encrypt your connection with an SSL certificate.

These layers work together to protect your account even if the username is changed.

What are the WordPress security checklist I should follow?

The ultimate checklist includes: using strong passwords, keeping WordPress core/plugins/themes updated, installing a reputable security plugin, enabling a web application firewall (WAF), using an SSL certificate, limiting login attempts, changing the default admin username, and regularly backing up your WordPress site.

Why is my WordPress site a target for security breaches?

WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS, making it a high-value target. Common WordPress vulnerabilities include outdated software, weak login credentials, insecure plugins, and themes containing malicious code. Attackers use automated tools to scan for these weaknesses to gain access.

How can a security plugin help my website's security?

A reputable security plugin acts as an all-in-one tool. It can provide malware scanning, a web application firewall to block malicious traffic, limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks, and alert you to security vulnerabilities.

How can I protect my WordPress login page from brute force attacks?

You can protect it by:

Limiting login attempts to block IPs after multiple failed login attempts.
Changing the default WordPress login URL (wp-admin).
Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
Using a web application firewall to block malicious traffic before it reaches your site.

What is two-factor authentication and why should I enable it on my WordPress admin account?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second step to the login process (e.g., a code from your phone) after entering your password. Even if someone steals your login credentials, they cannot gain access without this second factor, drastically improving security.

How does using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) improve my site's security?

Many CDNs include a built-in WAF. They serve as cloud proxy servers, meaning malicious traffic is stopped at the CDN’s edge, never reaching your server. This protects against DDoS attacks and other malicious traffic, enhancing overall website security.

Why should I avoid using "admin" as a username?

“admin” was the default WordPress admin username for years, so it’s the first name attackers try during brute force attacks. Using a unique username makes it much harder for them to guess both your username and password.

What does "disable file editing" mean in WordPress, and why is it a crucial security measure?

WordPress has a built-in editor that allows administrators to edit plugin and theme files directly from the admin dashboard. If a hacker gains access, they can use this to inject malicious code. Disabling file editing via the wp-config.php file prevents this, protecting your core files.

How do I disable PHP file execution in certain directories?

You can disable PHP file execution in unnecessary directories (like /wp-content/uploads/) by adding a rule to the .htaccess file in that directory. This prevents attackers from running malicious PHP scripts if they manage to upload a file there.

What is directory browsing, and why should I disable it?

If directory browsing is enabled, anyone can see a list of all files in a directory on your server if there’s no index.php file. This can reveal sensitive information. You can disable directory browsing (or indexing) by adding Options -Indexes to your main .htaccess file.

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