WordPress Hardening
Lock down your WordPress site before hackers find their way in. Hardening makes your site a fortress instead of an easy target.
What is WordPress Hardening?
WordPress hardening is the process of securing your site by closing vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Out of the box, WordPress is designed for ease of use, not maximum security. Hardening means adding layers of protection to make it significantly harder for attackers to break in.
Think of it like upgrading from a basic door lock to a full security system with deadbolts, cameras, and alarms. The goal is to eliminate common attack vectors before they can be exploited.
Why Hardening Matters
Most WordPress hacks exploit well-known vulnerabilities that hardening prevents
Without Hardening
- ×Default admin username (easy to guess)
- ×Exposed login page vulnerable to brute-force
- ×WordPress version visible to attackers
- ×File permissions allow unauthorized changes
- ×Database accessible without restrictions
- ×No monitoring for suspicious activity
With Hardening
- Custom admin username nobody can guess
- Login page protected with rate limiting
- Version info hidden from public view
- Restricted file permissions prevent tampering
- Database locked down with secure credentials
- Active monitoring alerts you to threats
How I Harden Your WordPress Site
Login Protection
Change default admin username, implement strong password policies, add two-factor authentication, and limit login attempts to stop brute-force attacks.
File Permissions
Set correct permissions on all WordPress files and folders so only authorized users can modify them. Prevents unauthorized code injection.
Database Security
Change database table prefix, secure credentials, and restrict access. Makes SQL injection attacks significantly harder to execute.
Hide WordPress
Remove version numbers, disable XML-RPC, hide login page location. Makes it harder for attackers to identify vulnerabilities.
Security Headers
Add HTTP security headers to protect against XSS, clickjacking, and MIME-type attacks. Industry-standard protection.
Disable Vulnerabilities
Turn off file editing in dashboard, disable directory browsing, remove unnecessary features that create security risks.
Prevention vs. Cleanup
Cost of Getting Hacked
- •Emergency cleanup: $30-50
- •Lost revenue while site is down
- •Damaged reputation with customers
- •Google blacklist removal time
- •Stress and emergency response
- •Risk of reinfection if not properly secured
Total real cost: $500-2,000+
Cost of Hardening
- One-time hardening setup
- Sleep peacefully knowing you're protected
- No emergency cleanups needed
- Maintained reputation and trust
- Zero downtime from attacks
- Protection lasts years with updates
Included in annual plans or add to cleanup
Secure Your WordPress Site Today
Don't wait until you're hacked. Hardening is included in all business protection plans, or can be added to emergency cleanups.