The Tool Desk
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1. Use a long, unique administrator password
Choose a password that is not reused on another site and does not include predictable words, personal details, or your site name. WordPress includes a password-strength meter to help assess a password as you set it. A long, unique password makes a stolen credential from another service less useful against your WordPress login.
2. Enable two-step authentication
Turn on two-step authentication for administrator accounts. It adds a second check beyond the password, so a password alone is not enough to complete sign-in. WordPress recommends this additional layer in its Hardening WordPress handbook; the appropriate method depends on your setup.
3. Update WordPress core promptly
Install current WordPress releases from WordPress.org and do not leave a site on an old version: older releases do not receive ongoing security updates, and vulnerability details may become public. At the time of this article’s September 30, 2026 update, WordPress.org’s security index listed WordPress 7.1.2, released September 22, 2026, as the newest security release shown. WordPress.org described it as fixing a critical-severity vulnerability and recommended an immediate update. The release notes say that, under specific conditions involving the server environment and active theme, an unauthenticated attacker could include a readable local PHP file outside active theme directories, potentially leading to remote code execution. This is not a claim that every installation is vulnerable; check the official WordPress security news for the current release and update guidance.
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4. Keep plugins and themes current, and remove what you do not use
Update active plugins and themes, and delete unused ones rather than leaving them installed. Each installed component is software you must maintain. WordPress documentation puts the rule plainly: “To keep your WordPress site secure, you should always update your plugins and themes to the latest version.” See Plugin and themes auto-updates.
5. Consider automatic plugin and theme updates—with a recovery plan
WordPress lets you enable automatic updates for individual plugins and themes. This can reduce the time vulnerable versions remain installed, but it is not a substitute for backups: an update can fail or cause a compatibility problem. WordPress can notify administrators of successful and failed update attempts, while scheduling depends on WordPress Cron and can fail depending on the server or installation.
- Make a restorable backup of both the site files and database.
- In the WordPress dashboard, open Plugins > Installed Plugins and use the automatic-update control for the plugins you choose; review themes under Appearance > Themes.
- Check update notifications and verify the site after updates. If scheduled updates are not running, ask your host to check the installation’s WordPress Cron setup.
6. Limit administrator accounts and permissions
Give administrator access only to people who need it, and assign less-privileged roles when those permissions are sufficient. Remove accounts that are no longer needed. Avoid obvious administrator usernames such as “admin” or “webmaster,” but treat a less-guessable username only as a minor layer: it does not replace a strong password and two-step authentication.
7. Use HTTPS for administration
Use HTTPS when signing in and working in the dashboard. It encrypts the connection between the browser and site, protecting credentials and other transmitted data from being sent in clear text. WordPress’s hardening guidance describes requiring encrypted HTTPS for administration as the strongest implementation of this protection layer. Confirm with your host that HTTPS is active and that the dashboard uses it.
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Some hosting setups can require an additional server-level password for /wp-admin/, placing another barrier before the WordPress login. It is not a universal plug-and-play setting: directory protection can interfere with dashboard functions such as admin-ajax.php. Ask the host to configure any necessary exclusions and test the dashboard before relying on this measure.
9. Use SFTP instead of unencrypted FTP
When transferring site files, choose SFTP if your host offers it. Unlike unencrypted FTP, SFTP encrypts credentials and data in transit. Confirm the connection details with your host and avoid sending file-transfer passwords over an unsecured connection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Restrict file writes and disable dashboard code editing
Keep file and directory permissions as restrictive as your site and host permit. The WordPress dashboard also has a setting that can disable editing plugin and theme files from the admin interface. In wp-config.php, add:
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );
This removes the built-in editor as a way to change code through the dashboard, but does not stop an attacker from uploading malicious files through another route. Combine it with appropriate file permissions and the other protections here.
11. Keep backups and test restoration
Back up both the database and site files regularly, keep copies in a trusted location, and test that you can restore them. A backup that cannot be restored is not a dependable recovery plan. Encryption or read-only storage can add confidence in the privacy and integrity of stored copies. Before enabling automatic updates or making major changes, make sure a recent backup can be used to recover the site.
Monitor for suspicious activity
As an ongoing detection measure, review server logs and consider file-change monitoring. WordPress notes that logs can help identify an IP address, time, and actions associated with activity; monitoring can alert you when files change. These tools help investigate or detect incidents, but do not replace access controls, updates, or recovery preparations.
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