WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) worldwide, powering over 40% of all websites. However, its popularity makes it a prime target for hackers. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and securing your WordPress site is crucial to protecting sensitive data and maintaining your site’s functionality.

To help you stay ahead of potential threats, we’ve compiled a comprehensive WordPress security checklist for 2025. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, these essential steps will help safeguard your site from hackers.

1. Keep Your WordPress Version Updated

WordPress core updates often include vital security patches. Failing to keep your site updated could leave it vulnerable to attacks. Always ensure you’re running the latest version of WordPress, plugins, and themes.

Action: Enable automatic updates for both WordPress core and plugins when possible.
Tip: Regularly check for manual updates via the WordPress dashboard.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Weak passwords are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your site. Use strong, unique passwords for both your admin and user accounts. Incorporate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second authentication step.

Action: Implement 2FA using plugins like Google Authenticator or Authy.
Tip: Avoid using default usernames like “admin” and change them to something unique.

3. Install a Reliable Security Plugin

Security plugins are essential for protecting your WordPress site. They can help block malicious attempts, monitor file integrity, and scan for vulnerabilities.

Popular security plugins include:

Wordfence
iThemes Security
Sucuri Security
Action: Choose a security plugin based on your needs, and configure it to actively monitor and protect your website.
Tip: Regularly scan for malware and vulnerabilities using your plugin’s built-in tools.

4. Backup Your WordPress Site Regularly

Creating regular backups is one of the most important steps in securing your WordPress site. Backups ensure you can restore your site if it gets compromised.

Action: Use reliable backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup to schedule automatic backups.
Tip: Store your backups in multiple locations (cloud storage and offline) to ensure recovery in case of an emergency.

5. Limit Login Attempts

Hackers often use brute force attacks to gain access to WordPress sites by trying multiple login attempts. Limiting login attempts can prevent these attacks and secure your login page.

Action: Use plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded to restrict login attempts from a single IP address.
Tip: Enable reCAPTCHA on your login page for added protection.

6. Change Your WordPress Database Prefix

By default, WordPress uses the wp_ prefix for all database tables, which makes it easier for attackers to guess and target specific tables. Changing the default database prefix makes it harder for hackers to exploit your site.

Action: Change your database prefix during the installation process or by using plugins like iThemes Security.
Tip: This step is not for beginners; make sure you back up your site before making changes to the database.

7. Secure Your Website with SSL

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates encrypt data transferred between your site and its visitors. It ensures that sensitive information like login credentials, credit card details, and personal data is protected.

Action: Install an SSL certificate on your WordPress site. Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt.
Tip: Ensure all pages of your site are accessed via HTTPS, not HTTP.

8. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters and monitors incoming traffic to your WordPress site, blocking malicious traffic before it reaches your server.

Action: Use a WAF service such as Cloudflare or Sucuri to protect your site from common threats and vulnerabilities.
Tip: Regularly monitor your firewall’s settings to ensure it’s actively protecting your site.

9. Disable Directory Listings

By default, WordPress allows directory listings on some servers. Hackers can use this to gain insight into your site’s files. Disabling directory listings ensures that attackers cannot see the files stored on your server.

Action: Add the following line to your .htaccess file: Options -Indexes.
Tip: This simple step can prevent a lot of security risks.

10. Monitor User Activity

Monitoring user activity on your WordPress site is essential to detecting any unauthorized actions. By tracking changes, you can identify potential threats early.

Action: Use plugins like Activity Log to keep track of user activity on your site.
Tip: Set up email notifications for any suspicious activity.

Conclusion: Stay Proactive with WordPress Security

Securing your WordPress site in 2025 is more important than ever. By following this WordPress security checklist, you can protect your site from hackers and minimize the risk of a cyberattack. Remember, website security is an ongoing process—regular updates, monitoring, and proactive measures are key to keeping your site safe.

If you’re looking for more tips on WordPress security or need help securing your website, reach out to us today. We’re here to help ensure your WordPress site remains secure and protected.