How to effectively secure WordPress plugins?

Professional WordPress security is key to avoiding intrusion and maintaining website integrity.

I offer comprehensive security services for WordPress sites, focusing on data protection, updates and security monitoring. Find out more at WordPress specialist. If you are interested, please feel free to give me a call: (+48) 579 066 987.

Why is WordPress security important?

Website security is a priority, especially if you are running a business in a dynamic city like Poznan. WordPress security protects against malware, hacking attacks and data loss. Many site owners do not realise the number of threats that can affect the operation of their site.

Key steps for securing WordPress plug-ins

Plugins are an integral part of the WordPress ecosystem. Unfortunately, they can also be a gateway to potential threats. Here are some steps to take:

• Plug-in updates - Regular updates are not only important to improve functionality, but also to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Deleting unused plug-ins - Unnecessary plug-ins pose an additional risk. Remove any that are no longer in use.
• Checking reviews and ratings - Before installing a new plug-in, it is always a good idea to review other users' reviews.
• Backups - Make sure you regularly back up your entire site so that you can quickly restore it in the event of problems.

The most important security plug-ins for WordPress

There are a number of plug-ins that can support WordPress security. Below are some recommendations:

• Wordfence - It offers comprehensive protection against threats with firewall and malware scanning.
• iThemes Security - It provides protection against the most common threats, offering more than 30 security options.
• Sucuri Security - A great tool for monitoring, scanning and removing malware from your website.

How to check whether a plug is safe?

Before you install the plug-in, it is worth running some tests:

• Check date of last update - Plug-ins that have not been updated for a long time can be vulnerable to attacks.
• Number of active installations - The more users use the plug-in, the more certain it is that it is safe.
• Reputation of the creators - It is worth checking whether plugin developers have a good reputation in the WordPress community.

Taking action when a problem is detected

Regardless of all preventive measures, there may be times when a site is attacked. In such a case, it is important to take action immediately:

• Contact with the hosting provider - The supplier can often react quickly to minimise the impact of the attack.
• Checking the logs - Analysis of the logs can help identify the source of the problem.
• Reset all passwords - If you suspect a hack, it is a good idea to change the passwords for all WordPress-related accounts straight away.
• Data recovery - With regular backups, the site can be quickly restored.

If you want to learn more about additional data protection, I invite you to read the article: Effective data protection with WordPress backup.