How do I protect my WordPress site from hackers?

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To protect your WordPress site from hackers, follow these comprehensive steps:

  1. Choose a Secure Host: Select a hosting provider with a good reputation for security, offering features like regular backups, free SSL certificates, a built-in firewall, and security scans. Managed WordPress hosting services provide automatic backups, updates, and advanced security configurations 12.
  1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins Up to Date: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to patch security vulnerabilities. Consider using trusted plugins that offer multiple functionalities without increasing the risk of an attack 1.
  1. Create Secure WordPress Usernames and Passwords: Use unique and strong passwords for your WordPress admin account and other user accounts. Ensure proper user permissions are set for different roles 1.
  1. Set Up Off-site Backups: Store your backups off-site in the cloud to ensure data safety even if your server is compromised. Jetpack Backup is recommended for real-time backups and additional security features 1.
  1. Add Brute Force Attack Protection: Utilize tools like Jetpack’s free brute force attack protection to block suspicious IP addresses before they can attempt to access your site 1.
  1. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Administrators: Enhance security by requiring a one-time-use code sent to the phone for logging in, making it harder for hackers to gain access 1.
  1. Set Up a WordPress Firewall: Install a WordPress firewall plugin like Jetpack Security or Sucuri for comprehensive protection against malicious traffic and attacks 12.
  1. Install a WordPress Backup Solution: Use plugins like Duplicator, UpdraftPlus, or BlogVault to regularly save full-site backups to a remote location for quick restoration in case of an attack 2.
  1. Enable Web Application Firewall (WAF): Utilize a WAF like Sucuri or Cloudflare to block malicious traffic before it reaches your site, offering both DNS and application-level protection 2.
  1. Password Protect WordPress Admin and Login Page: Add server-side password protection to your wp-admin directory to block unauthorized access attempts 2.
  1. Implement General Best Practices: Regularly update WordPress, use secure login credentials, choose trusted themes, install SSL certificates, and remove unused plugins and themes. Also, consider disabling PHP error reporting, turning off file editing, and managing file permissions for enhanced security 5.
  1. Use Security Plugins: Enable two-factor authentication, limit login attempts, change the WordPress login page URL, log idle users out automatically, and monitor user activity. Regularly scan your site for malware and disable features like XML-RPC and hotlinking 5.

By following these steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your WordPress site against hackers.

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