How to keep your WordPress site safe in 2023

WordPress is used by about 43% of all websites on the internet. As a result, it is a frequent target for malware and hackers. WordPress is intrinsically secure, yet no technology is completely free of security vulnerabilities. A single undiscovered vulnerability might spell doom for your website, and there’s no assurance you’ll be able to recover it.

WordPress security testing, on the other hand, can assist you in staying ahead of known or possible vulnerabilities in your site. These tests can identify and warn you of problems that would go unnoticed or ignored. You can also utilize WordPress plugins to make the testing process easier.

This post will discuss why performing regular security tests is essential to your site’s safety. Then, we will explore two different kinds of security testing and recommend a few tools you can use to perform them. Let’s get started!

How to Secure Your WordPress Site (2 essential security tests)

We divided security tests in this article into two categories: Server configuration and WordPress-specific testing. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and you will frequently want to use both at the same time. Let’s look at both critical security tests!

1.Server configuration

The operating system, web server software, databases, firewalls, and other software components are all present on the server that hosts your WordPress website. All of these components must be configured, and each has potential flaws. Otherwise, misconfigurations could allow attackers to sneak in through the back door.

In addition to configuration issues, malware or outdated, vulnerable software may be present on the server. It could be within or without your WordPress installation.

You don’t have to understand how a server works in every detail. If you use a hosting service, such as ABN WEBTECH, it will most likely handle the configurations for you.

Let’s take a look at a tool that provides a snapshot of your web server’s status and alerts you to any issues.

Qualys SSL Labs – SSL Server Test

Qualys SSL Labs – SSL Server Test is a completely free online tool. You do not need to install or configure it before using it. Simply enter the URL of your website, and SSL Server Test will perform a thorough server-configuration analysis focused on security:

When the analysis is complete, SSL Server Test generates a security score based on its findings. Additionally, if the score is less than an A, the tool provides the following information:

As you scroll down, you’ll notice that the report contains a lot of useful information about your server configuration. You may not comprehend all of the information, but SSL Server Test highlights the items to which you should be concerned.

This tool has a significant advantage in that it does not require access to your admin panel or other private server areas. As a result, it is quick and simple to use. SSL Server Test also improves your security because it eliminates the need to provide your login information to a third party.

The disadvantage of this tool is that it does not have access to the inner workings of your website. As a result, it may not catch every potential problem.

Pricing: Scanning is free.

2.General WordPress security testing

Now we will move from server testing to monitoring your site more specifically. WordPress is a flexible platform with virtually limitless possibilities. That flexibility comes with a cost, however. The more functionality you add through plugins, the more likely you have a hidden vulnerability. The same principle is true with themes.

The WordPress core system isn’t immune to vulnerabilities, either. Fortunately, WordPress makes a dedicated effort to fix any security issues as they arise. High-quality plugins do the same. That’s why you should always try to have the latest software versions installed.

The following tools know WordPress well, and they address its particular settings and potential issues. Conveniently, they are also WordPress plugins, which makes installing and using them very simple.

Wordfence

The popular Wordfence plugin was created with WordPress in mind. It’s an all-in-one security solution with a high-quality security scanner:

The plugin includes a web application firewall (WAF) that protects against malicious traffic. It also includes a scanner for malware, code injections, bad URLs, SEO spam, and malicious redirects. Furthermore, Wordfence Central provides a centralized location for managing multiple sites.

Keep in mind that unless you purchase a premium license, malware updates and firewall rules are delayed by 30 days. As a result, emerging threats can pose a threat to your website for up to a month before Wordfence detects them. Updates are made in real-time with a premium plan.

Sucuri – Complete Website Security, Protection & Monitoring

Sucuri is a premium subscription-based security application. It scans your server-side files for malware, phishing websites, spam, and DDoS scripts:

It can also detect other elements, such as viruses, malicious code, and out-of-date software. Sucuri can also notify you if your website has been blacklisted.

That last point is worth delving into. If an authoritative body, such as Google, deems your site to be potentially harmful to users, it may be blacklisted. This means users may see a message that strongly discourages them from proceeding if they visit your site. This warning message has the potential to significantly disrupt your traffic.

Pricing: The basic scan is free. You will need one of the premium plans to get active site monitoring, a website firewall, and automatic WordPress site backups. These start at $199.99 per year.

Conclusion

WordPress Maintainance is a continuous process. The tools and services we discussed can help you protect your website from malicious attacks while making your job easier.

For example, SSL Server Test is a great tool for ensuring secure server configuration. Furthermore, Wordfence is a fantastic plugin for specifically testing your WordPress setup.

We provide ongoing WordPress maintenance and security monitoring at ABN WEBTECH. If you’d rather leave your website to the pros, get in touch with us right away!

ABN WEBTECH offers ongoing WordPress Maintenance Services in India and website security. If any questions regarding website design and development, call our experts