The WordPress admin dashboard is the control center of your website. If hackers gain access to it, they can do considerable damage: stealing data, corrupting content, and potentially infecting visitors with malware.
Here are 9 things you can do to secure your WordPress admin dashboard and prevent unauthorized access.
1. Use Strong Passwords and Change Them Regularly
One of the simplest yet often neglected methods for securing your WordPress dashboard is using strong passwords. This means:
- Combining letters, numbers, and special characters to make your password harder to guess.
- Using long passwords: Longer passwords are harder to crack than shorter ones.
- Avoiding including personal information in passwords, such as birthdates or names.
- Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
- Change your password regularly. If someone has managed to get hold of your password, it will be useless after you change it.
Hackers frequently use “brute force” attacks, where they systematically try thousands of password combinations to gain access. By making your passwords long and strong, you reduce the likelihood of a brute force attack succeeding. And regularly updating your passwords limits the risk even further.
Quick Tips:
- Aim for passwords that are at least 12 characters long.
- Change passwords at least every three to six months.
- Avoid reusing passwords from other accounts.
2. Limit Login Attempts
By default, WordPress allows unlimited login attempts, which opens the door for brute force attacks. Limiting the number of times someone can try logging in with incorrect credentials makes it harder for hackers to gain access.
How to Implement:
Use plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or WP Limit Login Attempts. These plugins let you control:
- The maximum number of login attempts.
- Lockout duration after unsuccessful attempts.
- Option to receive email notifications about repeated failed logins.
They also allow you to view a log of unsuccessful attempts, so that you can see how many times you’ve thwarted such hack attempts.
This added layer of security reduces the number of different passwords a hacker can try, making it difficult for them to repeatedly attempt passwords.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional security layer that requires users to verify their identity with something they know (password) and something they have (usually a code sent to their phone).
How to Implement:
Use a specific plugin like Two Factor Authentication or a more general security plugin that includes multi-factor authentication such as Wordfence Security.
Depending on the plugin, you may be able to choose your preferred method for the second factor, such as SMS, email, or authenticator app.
2FA makes it nearly impossible for hackers to access your dashboard unless they have physical access to your phone or email account.
4. Change the Default Login URL
WordPress’s default login page URL (typically yoursite.com/wp-admin or yoursite.com/wp-login.php) is well-known. This makes it an easy target for hackers to try their luck at cracking your password.
Changing this URL helps obscure the login page, making it harder for hackers to find and attempt access.
How to Implement:
Use plugins like WPS Hide Login or Rename wp-admin login to easily change the login URL. These change the URL without changing any of the underlying WordPress files.
Once installed, you specify a URL of your choosing. Choose a unique URL that’s difficult to guess. Avoid obvious URLs like /login or /admin.
This simple change can significantly reduce the number of malicious login attempts.
5. Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated
Outdated software is one of the most common ways hackers access WordPress sites. This includes outdated themes and plugins, as well as WordPress itself. Normally when vulnerabilities are discovered, updates are released to patch them. Neglecting updates keeps your site exposed.
Tips for Safe Updating:
- Regularly check for updates in the WordPress dashboard.
- Enable automatic updates for minor WordPress versions.
- Test major updates on a staging environment if possible to ensure they don’t break your site.
Set up an update schedule and avoid delaying updates, especially for security patches.
6. Use SSL Certificates for Encryption
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts data transmitted between users’ browsers and your server. This not only improves security but also boosts your search engine ranking.
How to Implement:
- Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.
- Alternatively, purchase SSL certificates for added protection from your web hosting provider (such as ZappyHost’s SSL certificates)
With SSL enabled, data sent to and from your site is encrypted, which deters man-in-the-middle attacks.
7. Monitor Login and Activity Logs
Tracking login activity helps you detect suspicious behavior early. You can identify unexpected login locations or unusual login patterns, allowing you to respond swiftly if you notice anything odd.
How to Implement:
Security plugins like Wordfence allow you to monitor login attempts, user activity, and any changes made in the dashboard. Enable email notifications for suspicious activity.
Regular monitoring can provide insight into who is trying to access your site and help you take preventive action.
8. Disable the File Editor in WordPress
The WordPress dashboard includes a built-in file editor that allows you to edit theme and plugin files. However, this is a security risk if hackers gain access to your dashboard since they can inject malicious code.
How to Implement:
Disable the editor by adding this line to your wp-config.php file:
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);This removes the editor option from the dashboard, making it harder for intruders to modify files directly from within WordPress.
9. Back Up Your Website Regularly
Even with robust security measures, breaches are sometimes unavoidable. Regular backups allow you to restore your site to a secure, operational version in the event of an attack.
Backup Tips:
- Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault to automate backups.
- Store backups offsite (such as cloud storage) for added security.
- Set up a regular schedule, for example daily or weekly. Also, consider doing extra backups before and after updates or major changes if you think that the regular backup schedule might not cover everything.
With a recent backup on hand, you can restore your site quickly if hackers manage to breach your defenses.
Conclusion
Securing your WordPress admin dashboard requires a multi-layered approach. By implementing these 9 techniques, you can effectively reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Remember that security is not a one-time effort; it requires ongoing vigilance, regular updates, and monitoring to keep your WordPress dashboard—and your entire website—safe.