How horrible would it be if you woke up tomorrow and your blog was gone. All that hard work you have put into it up in smoke. Ok, so I think we can agree that it’s worth taking a few precautions to ensure our Wordpress blogs are as secure as possible. Here are some tips to go about achieving this.
Keep Wordpress Current
Keep your Wordpress setup up to date. From time to time people find security issues in Wordpress. These issues get addressed by the developers of Wordpress who then release an update. If you don’t update, you may be vulnerable. Wordpress can be a real pain to update, so the more lazy amongst us tend to leave it for a bit. If this sounds like you then maybe you should download Wordpress Automatic Upgrade Plugin. It automates the process of backing up and upgrading Wordpress.
Backup Your Posts and Comments
Create a folder on your PC and regularly create backups of your blog content. It’s easy enough to do, just go to ”Manage” in your Wordpress dashboard, and select “Export”, then click “Download Export File” to save a copy of all your valuable posts, comments and categories. It’s a good idea to name these export files with a date.
Drop The Version String In Your Header.php File
Quick Online Tips explains how displaying the version of your Wordpress installation can leave you vulnerable. If the version is left viewable, anyone can easily figure out which version of Wordpress you are using just by viewing the source file of your site, then if there is a known flaw in the version you are using you’re in trouble.
To fix this change:
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress <?php bloginfo('version'); ?>" />
To:
<meta name="generator" content= "WordPress" />
Put A Blank index.html In /plugins/ Directory
In a default Wordpress installation, anyone can access your Wordpress plugin folder to see which plugins you have installed. This is a problem if certain plugins are known to have security issues. The default path is “http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-content/plugins/"
If you type this address in your browser using your Wordpress blog’s domain you will see the entire directory with all of your plugins. A method to hide this as describe by Quick Online Tips (and Originally Matt Cutts at WordCamp 2007) is to place a blank file named index.html in the root of your plugin folder. People will no longer be able to view your plugin directory.
Wp-admin Folder
Past versions of Wordpress have had vulnerabilities with the wp-admin folder. So for extra tight security Reuben Yau gives a method to Protect the Wordpress wp-admin folder. However if the computer you access your blog from has a dynamic IP address assigned by your ISP this won’t work. It may be worth looking into if these sorts of security issues keep you up at night.
Login Lockdown Plugin
Login Lockdown is a plugin that monitors how many times a person tries to log in during a short period of time. If they exceed some key number, LogInLock down will lock them out from logging for some period of time. This will stop those types who will try and guess your user names and passwords.
If you are stuck using a free hosted Wordpress blog you should consider blog hosting options, it’s not that expsensive to host your own Wordpress blog.
I hope this information has helped you to secure your Wordpress blog.
MDB
Thanks for the information. Had never really thought about it myself, but have implemented the suggestions. Looks like you’ve got a few more interesting posts here as well. Will check them out.
Brian Purkiss
I have thought about WP Security…
But I didn’t think of all those – lol
I’m going to have work on those!
Thanks for the heads up!
P.S. – Because of your comment, I’m back!
Simon
That’s great Brian, I am happy to have you back as a reader. You wouldn’t believe what a hit my feed count took in the days following that ProBlogger article. Maybe I need to place more focus on topics that aren’t blogging…i.e. more web design stuff to ensure I am not labled as a blogger that blogs about blogging. Cheers for coming back though Brian
Website Design
Nice post. I noticed the version string was killing me for a while. Once removed, a lot of spam actually ceased. It’s been a few months and I’m pleased with the results. Nice that you posted it as well.
Simon
Ironically Akismet thought your comment was spam
Simon
I have entered this article into a group writing project contest at: http://www.bluejar.com/how-to-group-writing-project/ – Check it out, there is still a few days left before the deadline, so there is plenty of time to write an article an enter.
GnomeyNewt
Thanks for entering my project. Good advice you have shared here, I guess I should probably go update my WP :c). Also thanks for mentioning my group writing project, everybody has until next week on the 18th to enter.
TenthOfMarch
This is a good list and thanks for the idea
Madhur Kapoor
Great article Simon , this reminds me to update my WP and create a backup
jayhan
Thanks for the useful tips!
One point above that i always did is “Backup Your Posts and Comments”. I export my content after I submit a new post.
I shall try that Login Lockdown Plugin
JoLynn Braley
Thanks for these tips! I use a plugin to backup and I update WP as soon as there is a new version, and I am implementing your other tips. Thanks again, this is a great addition to the writing project.
Oscar
Nice tips.
Another useful thing is to create a good robots.txt file to avoid spiders indexing all directories.
Steve Belt
Good check list of security vulnerabilities. I was particularly worried about my plug-ins directory, not having considered it before.
Doug Steele
Interesting. There are some good ideass presented here. I need to do spend some time reading more about these topics.
Dwayne Charrington
Thanks for the tips, I will surely put these to use on my blog. I’ve been getting a lot of traffic lately and would hate to compromise my website because of a few simple mistakes.
Dan (future gadgets blog)
I like your blog theme. I want to use it on my blog.
Can you please tell me from where I can download these theme?
Many thanks
——————————————————————————–
Dan owner of the future gadgets blog future gadgets and inventions
Simon
Dan, it is a custom made theme by Nathan Rice! His blog design package will cost you $600 – http://www.nathanrice.net/services/.
Yaz Okulu
does anyone knows if there is any other information about this subject in other languages?
Some guy
this is a great read! i’ve been doing a little research on how to make my WP blog more secured and this is certainly a big help!
Anchor text spammer
Great post. I noticed the version string was killing me for a while. Once removed, a lot of spam actually ceased. It’s been a few months and I’m pleased with the results. Nice that you posted it as well. Thanks for that.
Gaf
thanks very good.
Make Money Online Blogging
You should use a secure password as well. I suggest changing your password every month, and the password should not be anything contained in the english dictionary. A blank index file should be located in every folder, whether it has valuable information in it or not. Also it is important that your PHP and MYSQL stay updated and secure. Check with your hosting company as many of them handle the upgrades for those. Also check your logs and look for repeated attempts. A repeated IP could mean an attacker, but they can use proxies so it will be a different IP ever time. Look for attempts on weird port numbers against your server. Also look for attempts at weird directories or commands/files. Most sites get port scanned and scanned for vulnerabilities often. But if it is something that it occuring often (multiple days) then it may be a direct attack against you. If you feel it is a direct attack targeting you soley, then contact your web host. They should be able to check out your logs and they will evaluate. If they are nice, they may give you the IPs to add to your blacklist. If they don’t do that due to policy, then they may block them on their end. If the attempts continue, then notify them and you can pursue an investigation.
I don’t recommend blacklisting and IPs yourself unless you are 100% positive it is an attack. You may end up banning one of your frequent viewers.
I used to be at the opposit end of the computer. I wont go into techno babble though.
Shudogg Dot Com – Make Money Online Blogging
Simon
Thanks for the in depth input – Make Money Online Blogging – I will even leave your anchor text for your effort.
SEO Marketing
I had alot of changed done to blogs. I definately figured out how to rid of all spam. Great post
Gary Olson
Great Job Here…I enjoyed it..! Gary
Free Wordpress Hosting
The problem is, i get lazy with the backups. I always say…It won’t happen to me. But the truth is, It’s very likely.
jason from custom blinds
Once again this is an excellent tip. Its really important to secure wordpress or upgrade to the new version.
Daniel Lew Internet Marketing
I would never of known, Very good security and backup information and something I didn’t prepare myself for, Thanks for putting this together.
David from WP Themes
I need to change my password. Im going to use more symbols and numbers.
justin from brett favre saga
Thanks for the great tips. I just went and did some of them now. I wasn’t aware of the Export feature until now. It is much easier than backing up the MySQL DB.
aamir from debt management
That really bugs me…Thanks for the great tips. good for my WP blog but i am still worried about a blogger blog. Unfortunately i hosted on blogger server, worked hard for its marketing and now when i want to take a backup of posts and comments there are no options except template backup.
Kathy Mead
yeah, backup my posts and comments asap!
James
I try to keep my wordpress folder updated as much as possible. This makes it easier to make sure that my blog is protected. Unfortunately it is difficult to do this sometimes and time consuming.
Kevin from Web hosting Ireland.
The blank index and version string are 2 great ideas anyone should do to make thier blog safer. Some great ways to protect your wordptress blog i bookmarked post.
Nick from Work Accident Compensation
I must admit i am one of those lazy people that tends to keep putting off backups and updating wordpress but this article has given me a well needed kick up the backside. I have just downloaded the automatic upgrade plugin so will no longer have any excuses.
Frank from fioricet
Backing up using MySQL DB is much harder than using the export feature.
lifting
it´s true, i never had thought that, but obviusly is necesary take precaution, because there is a lot of people in the internet with bad intentions
tony from Cheap web hosting package.
I think the first thing everyone should do no matter what site they have is have back up of all thier work. I can not tell you how many times people wish they did this.
Great post some good tips on making wordpress safer.
Nick from whiplash compensation claims
Just a quick note to say thanks for the link to the automatic wordpres upgrade plugin. I have used it across all my wordpress sites and its a real time saver. Would highly recommend it to everyone.
Cathy from mattress reviews
I didnt even know something like this exists. I usually have to spend entire day to upgrade all my sites, and WP has gone through last few versions in such a short time.
Thx for the link, I will definitely have more time with using this.
tom from Cheap dsl service.
I never even thought about backing up comments. That is a good point i forgot about. I also like to make sure i have images and anything else saved in case i have any problems.
Brian from clean room wall panels
I wish we had login lockdown feature for basic website server accounts. I have had a couple of my websites hacked. I know, I should have a stronger password, where they can’t get in.
I also like the idea of loading a index.html file into your plugins directory. This can keep the nosey ones out.
Ashire from Lift Chairs
Keeping things current and backing up your data is always a good idea no matter what you’re trying to do. Good information there, thanks!
Mathew from Best high yield certificate of deposit.
Great tips. I did not know you could do some of the things you said to protect your wordpress blog. I never heard of the blank index and will try it.
Jerry
My account has been hacked a few times. I have tried all of these, unfortunately it is not helping very much.
tom from Residential phone service
I just did the version string one on one site. Never thought about that one before thanks.
tom from Cheap dsl
One more thing make sure to change password if someone ever gets into your email. They will send password to email and take over blog.
andy from freeloans
I think the backup is one of the most imortant ways to keep blog safe. if you do not have backup and something happens you have to start all over again.
Mexabet from Quality web directory
Helpful tips. I wasn’t much worried about security until lately. My sites were recently attacked and that made me to pay more attention to security.
marry from datingservices
Good post. Some great tips on keeping wordpress blog safe. Maybe do one for blogger blogs also i know thier are alot of them around too.