WordPress powers more than 40% of all websites worldwide, making it a prime target for cyberattacks. Whether you are running a blog, eCommerce store requiring eCommerce development services, or business website, protecting your site from vulnerabilities should be a top priority.

In 2025, cyber threats have become more advanced, and WordPress security issues continue to evolve. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how to improve WordPress security using proven strategies, updated tools, and best practices.

This comprehensive guide covers WordPress security best practices 2025, helping you strengthen your website and safeguard it from hackers.

Why You Must Improve WordPress Security

A compromised WordPress site can lead to:

• Loss of data
• Stolen customer information
• Defaced website content
• SEO penalties from Google
• Loss of trust and revenue

Since WordPress is widely used, hackers continuously search for weaknesses in outdated plugins, weak passwords, and unprotected hosting environments. This makes it essential to improve the security of your WordPress site with a proactive approach.

1. Keep WordPress Core, Plugins, and Themes Updated

One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to improve WordPress security is keeping all components updated.

Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities discovered in earlier versions. Hackers frequently target outdated plugins and themes customization guide options that lack security updates.

Best practices include:

• Enable automatic updates for minor WordPress releases
• Only use reputable plugins and themes
• Delete unused or abandoned plugins
• Update premium themes regularly

This practice alone can prevent almost half of common WordPress security issues.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Weak passwords are a common entry point for attackers using brute-force techniques. To secure a WordPress website from hackers, enforce strong passwords for all users, especially administrators.

A secure password should include:

• Minimum 12 characters
• Upper and lowercase letters
• Numbers and special characters

Adding two-factor authentication offers an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity with a code sent to their email or phone.

Popular 2FA plugins include:

• Google Authenticator
• Wordfence Login Security
• iThemes Security

3. Choose a Secure Hosting Provider

Your hosting environment plays a critical role in your website’s overall security. When you migrate WordPress site to a reliable hosting provider, your server is better protected from malicious attacks.

Look for hosting that provides:

• Firewalls
• Automated backups
• Malware scanning
• DDoS protection
• Latest PHP version support
• SSL certificate integration

A secure hosting provider dramatically reduces the chances of server-level threats.

4. Install a WordPress Security Plugin

Security plugins provide real-time monitoring, security hardening, and protection against suspicious activities. If you are wondering how to improve WordPress website security, a security plugin is one of the easiest and most impactful methods.

Top WordPress security plugins for 2025:

• Wordfence Security – firewall + malware scanner
• Sucuri Security – security audits + malware removal
• iThemes Security – brute-force and file-change detection
• All In One WP Security & Firewall – firewall + spam prevention

These plugins help block malicious IPs, detect modified files, protect login attempts, and fix vulnerabilities automatically.

5. Use SSL (HTTPS) on Your Website

Having an SSL certificate is no longer optional; it is a necessity. SSL encrypts the data transferred between your site and users, keeping sensitive information secure.

Google also ranks HTTPS-enabled sites higher in search results. Most hosting providers now offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.

6. Limit Login Attempts and Change the Default Login URL

Brute-force attacks are extremely common. Hackers try multiple username/password combinations until they gain access.

You can improve the security of your WordPress site by:

• Limiting login attempts
• Blocking IPs after failed login attempts
• Changing the default login URL from /wp-admin or /wp-login.php

Plugins like WPS Hide Login or Limit Login Attempts Reloaded make this easy.

7. Regularly Back Up Your Website

Backups are your last line of defense. If your site ever gets hacked, you can restore it within minutes.

Use automated backup tools such as:

• UpdraftPlus
• Jetpack Backup
• BlogVault
• BackupBuddy

Store backups on external locations like Google Drive or Amazon S3 for extra safety.

8. Protect the wp-config.php and .htaccess Files

Your wp-config.php file contains sensitive configuration data, including database credentials. Securing it is crucial.

You can improve WordPress security by:

• Moving the wp-config.php file one directory above the root
• Restricting file access via .htaccess rules
• Disabling file editing from the WordPress dashboard using:

define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);

This prevents unauthorized users from modifying core files.

9. Scan Your Website for Malware Regularly

Malware can hide in plugin files, themes, or even your database. Regular scanning helps detect and remove threats early.

Security plugins like Wordfence and Sucuri offer automated scanning to identify malicious code before it spreads.

10. Follow WordPress Security Best Practices 2025

To stay ahead of emerging threats, you must follow industry-recommended WordPress hardening guidelines.

Key best practices include:

• Use secure FTP (SFTP)
• Disable XML-RPC if not needed
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
• Implement Content Security Policies
• Monitor file changes

These techniques significantly reduce the probability of your website being compromised.

Conclusion

Knowing how to improve WordPress security is essential for protecting your online presence. By following the strategies above—such as updating plugins, using strong passwords, installing security tools, securing sensitive files, and backing up regularly with WooCommerce design company solutions you can significantly enhance your WordPress website’s security and reduce the risk of hacking attempts.

In 2025, cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever, but with WordPress enterprise solutions and best practices, you can ensure your site remains safe, stable, and reliable. If you need professional assistance, Folio3 offers expert WordPress development services, including malware removal, security hardening, performance optimization, server-level protection, and ongoing monitoring.

If you need help securing your WordPress website from hackers, feel free to ask—I can guide you through specific configurations and enhancements or help you explore the right Folio3 solutions for your needs.

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