WordPress Security Best Practices: From HTTPS Setup to VPN Protection

increativewebseo
6 days ago
5 min read

When it comes to protecting your WordPress website, security is not optional, it’s essential. With millions of active WordPress installations worldwide, hackers continuously target this platform, exploiting vulnerabilities in themes, plugins, and outdated configurations.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into every aspect of WordPress security, from implementing SSL certificates to integrating VPNs, ensuring your WordPress website stays secure, resilient, and trustworthy.

Why WordPress Security Matters

Imagine you run a small online boutique, StyleCraftStudio.com. Business is growing, but one day your customers start reporting strange popups and redirects on your site. Within hours, your search ranking drops, Google flags your domain, and your sales disappear.

That’s what a WordPress hack can do, and it’s not always about big corporations. Most attacks target small and medium-sized websites using automated bots that look for weak passwords, outdated plugins, or insecure servers.

Common security risks include:

Brute force attacks: bots try thousands of password combinations to access admin accounts.
Malicious plugins/themes: poorly coded or pirated plugins contain hidden malware.
SQL injection and XSS attacks: exploit vulnerabilities in contact forms or URLs to insert malicious code.
Data theft: hackers steal user details, emails, and payment information.
SEO poisoning: attackers insert spam links or redirect your pages to scam sites.

In short: your website is your brand. A single breach can destroy the trust it took years to build.

1. Choosing a Secure Hosting Environment

Your hosting provider is the foundation of your website’s defense system. No matter how many plugins or firewalls you install, if your host is insecure, your site will always be at risk.

Choose a host that provides:

Automatic server updates for PHP, MySQL, and OS patches.
Isolated environments, so your site isn’t affected by another compromised website.
Built-in firewalls and malware scanners.
Daily automatic backups and quick restore options.
SFTP and SSH access instead of insecure FTP.

Example: If your design agency is InCreativeWeb.com, offering UI/UX design and front-end development services, you’d choose a managed WordPress host that not only provides real-time malware scanning and DDoS protection but also ensures fast CDN integration and isolated server containers. That way, even if another site on the same server is attacked, your agency’s portfolio and client dashboards stay safe, and your users enjoy smooth, secure access.

2. Get the Basics Right – Updates, Passwords & Access

Before moving to advanced security measures, make sure your foundation is solid.

2.1. Keep WordPress Updated

Outdated WordPress installations are a hacker’s favorite target. Update the core, themes, and plugins regularly – or better yet, enable automatic updates to stay ahead of vulnerabilities.

Example: Your agency website, InCreativeWeb.com, uses a custom animation plugin for interactive UI mockups. If that plugin hasn’t been updated in over a year, it could become an open door for attackers. Regular updates patch known issues before hackers can exploit them, keeping your design assets and client data safe.

2.2. Use Strong Passwords and Manage Access

Never use “admin” as your username. Create strong passwords (12+ characters, with symbols and numbers). Store them securely using tools like Bitwarden or 1Password.

Limit admin privileges, most team members only need Editor or Author access to manage content safely.

Example: On InCreativeWeb.com, designers, developers, and content creators each have their own unique logins. Only senior admins can install plugins or modify the theme. This structure ensures no accidental (or malicious) changes compromise the site.

2.3. Secure the Login Area

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all admin accounts. Use plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to block repeated failed logins. Change the default /wp-login.php URL to a custom one (e.g., /icw-login).

Example: InCreativeWeb.com uses a custom login path and 2FA for every admin. Even if someone tries to brute-force the login, they’re blocked after a few failed attempts, and no one can guess the hidden login URL.

3. Enable HTTPS / SSL to Encrypt Data

One of the simplest yet most powerful steps in website security is activating SSL (Secure Socket Layer) – transforming your site from http:// to https://.

SSL encrypts the data exchanged between your website and its visitors, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information such as login credentials, client data, or contact form submissions.

How to set it up:

Most reliable web hosts now include free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt.
After activation, redirect all HTTP pages to HTTPS to maintain consistency.
Update your internal links, images, and embedded assets to prevent mixed content warnings.

Example: When InCreativeWeb.com enabled HTTPS across all its design project pages, client inquiries sent via the portfolio contact forms became fully encrypted. Not only did it boost visitor trust, but Google also recognized the domain as secure, helping InCreativeWeb rank higher in search results and reinforcing its reputation as a professional, security-conscious design agency.

4. Deploy Firewalls and Traffic Filtering

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is your website’s first line of defense, filtering out malicious traffic before it ever reaches your server.Think of it as your site’s digital security guard, analyzing every incoming request and blocking suspicious behavior, spam bots, and known attack patterns.

You can use:

Cloud-based WAFs like Cloudflare or Sucuri, these protect your website before malicious traffic even touches your hosting server.
Plugin-based firewalls such as Wordfence or iThemes Security, these monitor and block threats directly within your WordPress installation.

Example: When InCreativeWeb.com integrated a cloud-based WAF through Cloudflare, the team noticed an 80% drop in suspicious traffic hitting their server. Spam bot attempts on client demo links and UI prototype pages were blocked instantly, which improved site performance and reduced server strain. As a result, their portfolio pages loaded faster and stayed secure, even during high-traffic periods.

5. Harden WordPress at the Application Level

Once the basics are handled, it’s time to lock down the WordPress system itself.

Change Default Database Prefix

Change wp_ to something random like icw_ during installation, this makes automated SQL attacks harder.

Disable File Editing

Add this line to your wp-config.php:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

This prevents anyone (even an admin) from editing theme and plugin files via the dashboard.

Disable PHP in Uploads

Hackers often upload PHP shells disguised as images. Disable PHP execution in /uploads/ using .htaccess:

deny from all

</Files>

Hide Login and Admin URLs

Change your default login URL using plugins like WPS Hide Login. This helps prevent brute force bots from finding it.

Limit Plugin Use

Install only trusted plugins from the official WordPress directory. Remove any plugin you no longer use. Every extra plugin is a potential entry point.

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