Why Security Matters
A hacker can gain access to your website and steal customer data or inject malicious code. A security breach can damage your reputation, lead to financial losses, and erode customer trust.
Essential Security Practices
- Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your WordPress login and administrator accounts. Consider password managers to generate and store complex passwords. BitWarden is recommended as it is free for personal use and just as secure as any paid password manager.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of protection by enabling 2FA. This requires a second verification code, typically sent to your phone, in addition to your password when logging in. There are plenty of free plugins in the WordPress repository.
- Regular Security Updates: Outdated WordPress core software, themes, and plugins can contain vulnerabilities. Regularly update all components to benefit from the latest security patches. BBI offers an affordable maintenance plan to take care of these basic tasks for you.
- Security Plugins: Consider installing a reputable security plugin that offers features like malware scanning, login attempt monitoring, and firewall protection.
- Limit Login Attempts: Prevent brute-force attacks by limiting the number of consecutive login attempts allowed before temporarily locking the account.
- User Permissions: Assign user roles and permissions within your WordPress dashboard. Grant only the minimum level of access necessary for each user. Not every user needs admin rights, as this could spell disaster!
Pro Tip: Schedule regular security scans using a website security scanner to identify and address any vulnerabilities before they are exploited. BBI can regularly scan your website so you can focus on running your business.