• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Ted Vieira Consulting

Web Design • Content Creation • Web Consulting

  • How Can I Help?
    • Las Vegas Web Design
    • Copy Writing / Blogging Services
    • Professional Photography Services
    • WordPress Website Monthly Maintenance
    • Online Brand Building via Content Marketing, Social Media Consulting
    • One-on-One WordPress Training
    • Free eBooks to Help You Manage Your Website and Build Your Online Brand
  • Portfolio
  • Tips • Guidance • News (blog)
  • Support
    • Copy Writing / Blogging Submissions
  • Testimonials
  • About Ted
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

WordPress Sites Being Hacked – How Safe Is Your Site?

Lately in the news there has been a reported global attack by hackers on WordPress sites. The focus seems to be on sites hosted on VPS and Dedicated servers. If you’re one of my clients, I know that most of you are on shared servers so your risk is lower, but it’s still a good idea…

April 18, 2013 By Ted Vieira 3 Comments

wordpress-security

Lately in the news there has been a reported global attack by hackers on WordPress sites. The focus seems to be on sites hosted on VPS and Dedicated servers. If you’re one of my clients, I know that most of you are on shared servers so your risk is lower, but it’s still a good idea to protect yourself.

A Couple Things You Can Do

Strong Password

If you’re using an easy to guess password then it’s time for a change. Even if you’ve got a strong password it’s not a bad idea to go through and update it periodically.

What makes a strong password?

  • at least 8 characters
  • combine UPPER and lowercase letters
  • include special characters, such as #@$!*&
  • and of course don’t make it something that’s easy to guess 🙂

To change your password in WordPress

  • login to your WordPress admin area
  • In the left side menu go to Users > Your Profile.
  • There you can update your new password, then click ‘Update Profile.’

Password Protect Your Login Screen

This adds an extra step of security by requiring you to enter a username and password to get to your WordPress admin login screen. Once you get to the login screen you can login as you would normally do and you’re good to go.

HostGator has put together step by step instructions on how you can do this. Read the article here.

Other Stuff You Can Do

Keep your plugins and themes updated

WordPress is very cool in the sense that when there is a new version of WordPress, your themes, or your plugins available, you’re automatically notified in the WordPress admin area. 

Make sure that whenever you see an update is available, click on the Automatic Update link.

If you’re one of my clients don’t be scared by this. I use a minimum amount of plugins on the sites I develop, and I’ve never had an issue with any updates. I did have a couple custom theme updates that had some issues, but that was a couple years ago and haven’t had any problems since then.

Delete Inactive Themes and Plugins

If you have any additional themes or plugins installed, delete them. Often these items will be ignored since you’re not using them and as they get older they become more vulnerable to hacking.

Google Webmaster Tools

Create a Google Webmaster Tools account and add your site. Google periodically scans your site and is happy to notify you by email if they find something that shouldn’t be there. Go www.google.com/webmasters/tools/ to get started with that.

 

Limit Login Attempts – a WordPress plugin

Limit Login Attempts is a free plugin that you can install that will limit the amount of times someone can attempt to login to your site. That way a hacker can’t just sit there and try endless amounts of login combinations on the site.

You can get this plugin here: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/limit-login-attempts/

 

Anyway don’t get too stressed out about this. Just do these simple steps and you should be fine. If you do have any issues with your site and are worried, get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to take a look.

 

Security

About Ted Vieira

Web guy and Photographer. Developing websites for over 20 years. 😲

$799 Side Hustle Special

For a limited time I'll be offering full website development to the first ten people who sign up each month to receive a Side Hustle Special, a website for their business or side hustle, or almost anything really, for $799.

I Want A Side Hustle Special

Footer

New Service Available

WordPress Website Monthly Maintenance Servic

This is one of the best valued services I offer. Check this out and see if it might be a good fit for you and your business.

Learn More

Recommended Hosting

Web Hosting

Not all hosting is good. Some can be disastrous for business. I can personally recommend SiteGround.

Download Your Free Copy

Web Tips, Updates and News

Get free news, tips and updates. I'll help you keep up with new things you can do in running your website; building your online brand and business.

Copyright © 2023 • Ted Vieira • All Rights Reserved