Managing a WordPress site means you’re always juggling features, performance, and security. With roughly 43.4% of all websites powered by WordPress, the platform is a prime target for attackers. That’s why having a thorough WordPress security checklist is essential for anyone who wants to secure their site effectively. In this guide you’ll find WordPress security best practices and WordPress security tips that cover updates, login safeguards, configuration hardening, plugin choices, monitoring, and recovery planning.

Let’s dive in and make sure your WordPress site stays safe.

1. Update WordPress Components

Keeping your core, themes, and plugins up to date is the foundation of good security.

Update Core Software

  • Apply minor updates automatically – WordPress handles these by default
  • Manually initiate major releases after testing on a staging site
  • Review the official guidance on core updates

Update Plugins and Themes

  • Check for developer updates at least once a week
  • Run minor releases as soon as they appear, and run major releases only after a quick backup
  • Automated or manual updates both work, but always test for compatibility

Choose Actively Maintained Extensions

  • Favor plugins and themes with recent commits and active support forums
  • Avoid abandoned tools that haven’t been updated in over six months

2. Protect Login Page

Login attacks remain one of the most common threats. Here are your first lines of defense.

Enforce Strong Passwords

  • Require complex credentials for all user roles
  • Use a password policy plugin to force strong passwords
  • Store passwords in a manager (for example, LastPass or 1Password)

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

  • Add an extra layer with time-based one-time codes or push notifications
  • Configure via a dedicated plugin or your hosting panel

Limit Login Attempts

  • Cap failed login attempts to block brute force attacks
  • Set a lockout period after 3–5 failures

3. Harden Site Configuration

A few tweaks to your server and database settings can pay big security dividends.

Secure .htaccess Settings

  • Restrict access to wp-config.php and .htaccess itself
  • Disable directory browsing and XML-RPC where possible

Change Database Prefix

  • Replace the default wp_ prefix with a custom one to foil automated scripts

Set File Permissions

  • Use 644 for files and 755 for folders on most servers
  • Avoid 777 unless absolutely necessary

Block Bad Bots

  • Identify and block known malicious crawlers
  • Implement bot-filter rules in your firewall or security plugin

4. Install Security Plugins

A dedicated security plugin can automate many checklist items. Use the right tool for your needs.

Compare Plugin Options

Plugin Free Scan Coverage Cleanup Feature Firewall Performance Impact
MalCare Full file and database One-click cleanup Yes Low
Wordfence 60 percent of site Cleanup in premium plan Yes Medium
Sucuri Public pages only Cleanup in paid plan Yes High
Jetpack Malware scan only No cleanup feature Yes Low

Top Plugin Picks

  • MalCare stands out for thorough scans and fast, one-click malware removal
  • For a detailed comparison of the best WordPress security plugins, see our roundup

5. Monitor Activity And Audit

Ongoing checks ensure you catch issues before they become breaches.

Schedule Regular Audits

  • Conduct a full security audit at least quarterly
  • Review user roles, active plugins, and file changes

Activate Malware Scans

  • Run automated scans daily or weekly
  • Choose a tool that covers both files and database entries

6. Backups And Recovery Plan

Even the tightest security can’t stop every threat. Prepare to bounce back quickly.

Automate Backup Schedule

  • Store backups off-site, such as in cloud storage or a remote server
  • Keep at least three backup points, including the latest and two previous versions

Define Recovery Steps

  • Document how to restore backups, reset credentials, and reinstall clean files
  • Know how to recover a hacked WordPress site before disaster strikes

Conclusion And Next Steps

You’ve just walked through a comprehensive WordPress security checklist that covers everything from core updates to recovery planning. Now that you’ve implemented these steps, your site should be in a much stronger position against attacks. Bookmark this guide and review it regularly to keep up with evolving threats. If you have a favorite tip or tool, share it in the comments so others can benefit.