After you fix a hacked WordPress website, strengthening your login security is one of the most important steps to prevent unauthorized access in the future. Often, weak login credentials, poor security practices, or open access points make it easy for hackers to gain entry.
This article provides best practices to harden WordPress login security, keeping hackers out and safeguarding your site’s valuable content and data.
Ways to Strengthen WordPress Login Security
Strengthening your login security creates multiple layers of protection, significantly reducing the risk of another hack. Here are the tips we recommend:
Read: Importance of WordPress Security Hardening
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
A strong password is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your WordPress site from a future hack. A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like @, #, or !). Avoid common passwords or anything easy to guess, such as “admin123” or “password.” Here are some tips for creating secure passwords:
- Use a Password Manager: Password managers like LastPass or 1Password can store complex passwords, eliminating the need to remember them.
- Avoid Reusing Passwords: Using the same password across multiple sites is a big security risk. Hackers often try stolen passwords on other accounts to gain access.
- Change Passwords Regularly: Regularly updating your passwords reduces the risk of long-term exposure if they are compromised.
Limit Login Attempts
Hackers often use brute-force attacks to guess login credentials by trying multiple combinations. Setting a limit on the number of failed login attempts can help prevent these attacks from succeeding.
Many WordPress security plugins, like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded, allow you to set a specific number of allowed attempts before temporarily blocking access. Limiting login attempts is particularly useful for stopping bots and automated scripts from repeatedly trying to break into your site.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) to your login process is one of the most secure ways to protect your site. With 2FA, users must provide a second form of identification (like a code sent to their mobile device) in addition to their password.
Even if a hacker manages to get your password, they won’t be able to log in without access to your second verification method. Here’s how to set up 2FA:
- Choose a Plugin: Several plugins, like Wordfence Security, offer 2FA features for WordPress.
- Select Your Preferred Verification Method: Many plugins allow you to verify through SMS, an app-based authenticator (like Google Authenticator), or email.
- Enforce for Key Users: Require 2FA for all users with admin access and any other users with critical roles.
Rename the Login URL
By default, WordPress uses “/wp-admin” or “/wp-login” as the login URL. Since hackers are aware of these defaults, changing your login URL to something unique can make it harder for them to locate the login page and attempt an attack.
Plugins like WPS Hide Login allow you to change your login URL to something custom (e.g., “/mysite-login”), adding an additional layer of security by keeping bots from directly targeting the login page.
Learn About: How a WordPress Website Care Plan Can Improve Your Site’s Performance
Disable XML-RPC
XML-RPC is a feature that allows WordPress to communicate with other systems, but it is often targeted by hackers for brute-force attacks. Unless you specifically need XML-RPC for features like remote publishing, it’s best to disable it. Many security plugins have options to disable XML-RPC, or you can do it manually through your site’s .htaccess file.
Set Up Security Questions for Additional Verification
Adding security questions can provide an extra layer of protection for your login page. There are plugins that allow you to add a custom security question to your login page, requiring users to answer it along with providing their password.
Security questions add an additional checkpoint, which can prevent unauthorized access if hackers somehow obtain a password.
Monitor Login Activity
Monitoring login activity on your site can help you detect unusual behavior, like repeated failed login attempts or logins from unfamiliar IP addresses. Security plugins such as WP Activity Log and Sucuri can track login events and send you alerts for suspicious activity.
By monitoring login activity, you can act quickly if there’s a potential threat, blocking IP addresses or users before they cause damage.
Keeping Your Site Secure With Strong WordPress Login Security
Strengthening your login security is critical, but it’s only one part of a comprehensive security plan. To prevent future hacks, continue to follow WordPress security best practices, which include keeping plugins and themes up to date, regularly scanning for malware, and securing your hosting environment.
- Update Plugins, Themes, and WordPress Core: Ensure that your site’s software is always up to date. Outdated versions can be vulnerable to attacks.
- Conduct Regular Malware Scans: Regular scans help identify malware early on, enabling you to remove it before it causes significant damage.
- Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates: HTTPS secures data transfer between the server and the user’s browser, providing an added layer of security for your visitors.
Long-Term Login Security with a Maintenance Company
Managing login security on your own can be challenging, especially if you lack technical expertise or time. Working with a WordPress maintenance company can ensure that your site remains secure over the long term.
Maintenance companies provide ongoing monitoring, handle updates, and offer expert support to keep your site secure. By partnering with a maintenance company, you can focus on running your website while leaving security in expert hands.
Benefits of Working with a Maintenance Company
- Automated Backups and Recovery: Maintenance services perform regular backups, allowing for a quick recovery if your site is compromised.
- Security Monitoring: Continuous monitoring detects and alerts you to suspicious activity, enabling quick responses to potential threats.
- Routine Updates and Patching: Maintenance companies ensure that your plugins, themes, and WordPress core are always updated, reducing vulnerabilities.
- Expert Support: If you encounter a security issue, maintenance companies have the expertise to handle it effectively and provide guidance.
Further Reading: Should You Outsource Your WordPress Maintenance?
To Sum Up
After experiencing a WordPress hack, improving your login security is essential for preventing future attacks. By using strong passwords, limiting login attempts, enabling two-factor authentication, renaming the login URL, and following other security practices, you create a more secure login process that keeps hackers at bay.
For ongoing protection, consider working with a WordPress maintenance company to manage security measures and keep your site safe. Taking these steps not only protects your data and content but also gives you peace of mind knowing your site is well-guarded against potential threats.