The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist for 2025: Protect Your Site from Hackers (Free Download)
- Sameer Verma
- Sep 30
- 11 min read
If you think your WordPress site is safe, think again. Recent data from Melapress's 2025 WordPress Security Survey reveals a shocking statistic: 96% of WordPress administrators have faced at least one security incident, and 64% have suffered a full security breach.
Even more concerning, Patchstack's State of WordPress Security report found that more than half of plugin developers don't patch vulnerabilities before official disclosure – leaving millions of websites exposed to known security threats.
But here's the good news: most WordPress security breaches are preventable with proper security measures. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through every critical security step you need to take to protect your WordPress site in 2025.
Download our free WordPress Security Checklist PDF at the end of this article – a printable, actionable guide you can reference anytime.
Why WordPress Security Matters More Than Ever
The Growing Threat Landscape
WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, making it the #1 target for hackers. Here's what the data tells us:
5,948 new vulnerabilities were discovered in WordPress plugins and themes in 2023 alone – a 24% increase from 2022
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities account for 50% of all plugin vulnerabilities
Over 4,000 WordPress websites were infected by fake SEO plugins in recent malware campaigns
169 new vulnerabilities emerged in just one week of August 2025, according to SolidWP's vulnerability report
The Cost of a Security Breach
A hacked WordPress site can result in:
Lost revenue from site downtime (average: $5,600 per minute for e-commerce sites)
SEO penalties from Google for hosting malware
Damaged reputation and loss of customer trust
Legal liability under GDPR and data protection laws
Recovery costs averaging $1,200-$5,000 for professional cleanup
According to research, WordPress sites that consistently update their software show 42% lower likelihood of being compromised compared to outdated sites.
The Complete WordPress Security Checklist
🔒 Section 1: Foundation Security (Critical Priority)
1.1 Install an SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
Why it matters: HTTPS encrypts data between users and servers, protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details.
Action steps:
✅ Obtain an SSL certificate from your hosting provider (most include it free)
✅ Install and activate the SSL certificate in your hosting cPanel
✅ Force HTTPS across your entire site using a plugin like Really Simple SSL
✅ Update internal links to use HTTPS
✅ Set up automatic SSL renewal (certificates expire after 1 year)
Tools: Let's Encrypt, Cloudflare SSL
1.2 Keep WordPress Core Updated
Why it matters: Outdated WordPress installations are the easiest targets for hackers. WordPress sites with consistent updates showed 42% lower compromise rates.
Action steps:
✅ Enable automatic updates for WordPress core (Settings → Updates)
✅ Test updates on staging site first if running critical business site
✅ Keep daily backups before major updates
✅ Subscribe to WordPress security announcements
Current version: Always run the latest WordPress version (currently 6.7+)
1.3 Update Plugins & Themes Regularly
Why it matters: According to Patchstack, WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities account for almost half of all malware infections.
Action steps:
✅ Check for plugin updates weekly (at minimum)
✅ Enable auto-updates for trusted security plugins
✅ Review plugin changelogs – if a security fix is mentioned, update immediately
✅ Remove inactive or unused plugins (they're still vulnerable even when deactivated)
✅ Delete themes you're not using
Pro tip: Use a plugin management tool like WP Umbrella to manage updates across multiple sites from one dashboard.
1.4 Use Strong Passwords & Two-Factor Authentication
Why it matters: Weak passwords are responsible for a significant portion of WordPress breaches. Poor security hygiene enables hackers to hijack sessions and use leaked credentials.
Action steps:
✅ Use passwords with minimum 16 characters (mix of upper/lowercase, numbers, symbols)
✅ Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) with Google Authenticator or Authy
✅ Force all users to use strong passwords with plugins like Password Policy Manager
✅ Change default "admin" username to something unique
Recommended plugin: Wordfence Login Security
🛡️ Section 2: Advanced Protection Measures
2.1 Install a WordPress Security Plugin
Why it matters: Security plugins provide real-time threat detection, firewall protection, and malware scanning.
Top security plugins for 2025:
1. Wordfence Security (7+ million active installations)
Real-time firewall and malware scanner
Login security and 2FA
Traffic monitoring and blocking
Free version available
Virtual patching from Patchstack
Brute force protection
Database security
File change detection
Website firewall (WAF)
DDoS mitigation
Malware removal service
Security hardening
Action steps:
✅ Choose ONE security plugin (don't run multiple – they conflict)
✅ Enable firewall protection
✅ Schedule weekly malware scans
✅ Set up email alerts for security events
✅ Enable login attempt limiting
2.2 Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Why it matters: A WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your WordPress site, blocking attacks automatically.
Action steps:
✅ Use Cloudflare (free tier available with basic WAF)
✅ Or use Sucuri Firewall (paid, $199/year)
✅ Configure firewall rules to block suspicious countries/IPs
✅ Enable DDoS protection
✅ Set security level to "Medium" or "High"
Pro tip: Cloudflare's free plan provides basic protection suitable for most small to medium websites.
2.3 Limit Login Attempts
Why it matters: Brute force attacks try thousands of username/password combinations. Limiting login attempts stops these attacks cold.
Action steps:
✅ Install Limit Login Attempts Reloaded
✅ Set maximum 3-5 login attempts before temporary IP ban
✅ Configure lockout duration (20-60 minutes)
✅ Enable email notifications for lockouts
✅ Whitelist your own IP address
2.4 Change the Default Login URL
Why it matters: Most hackers target /wp-admin and /wp-login.php – changing this URL adds an extra security layer.
Action steps:
✅ Use WPS Hide Login plugin
✅ Change login URL to something unique (e.g., yoursite.com/my-secure-login-2025)
✅ Don't use obvious terms like "login" or "admin"
✅ Save the new URL in your password manager
✅ Share new URL only with authorized users
💾 Section 3: Backup & Recovery
3.1 Set Up Automated Daily Backups
Why it matters: Backups are your insurance policy. If everything fails, you can restore your site to a previous state.
Action steps:
✅ Use automated backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy
✅ Schedule daily automated backups
✅ Store backups off-site (Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3)
✅ Keep at least 30 days of backup history
✅ Test restoring from backup monthly
Recommended schedule:
Database: Daily backups
Files: Weekly backups
Before updates: Always backup before major changes
3.2 Store Backups Offsite
Why it matters: If your hosting account is compromised, onsite backups can be deleted by hackers.
Action steps:
✅ Configure automatic uploads to cloud storage
✅ Use Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3
✅ Enable encryption for backup files
✅ Keep backups for 90+ days
✅ Document your backup restoration process
🔐 Section 4: Database & File Security
4.1 Change Database Table Prefix
Why it matters: The default wp_ prefix makes it easy for hackers to target your database with SQL injection attacks.
Action steps:
✅ Use a plugin like Change Table Prefix for existing sites
✅ Or set custom prefix during WordPress installation
✅ Use random alphanumeric prefix (e.g., x7k2m_)
✅ Backup database before making changes
✅ Test site thoroughly after changing prefix
4.2 Disable File Editing
Why it matters: If a hacker gains admin access, they can edit theme/plugin files to inject malicious code.
Action steps:
✅ Add this code to wp-config.php:
php
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);✅ This removes the Theme/Plugin Editor from WordPress admin
✅ Make file changes via SFTP instead
✅ Document this change for your team
4.3 Set Proper File Permissions
Why it matters: Incorrect file permissions allow hackers to modify critical WordPress files.
Action steps:
✅ Set directories to 755
✅ Set files to 644
✅ Set wp-config.php to 600 or 640
✅ Never use 777 permissions (completely insecure)
✅ Use SFTP client like FileZilla to change permissions
Recommended permissions:
Directories: 755
Files: 644
wp-config.php: 600👥 Section 5: User Management & Access Control
5.1 Review User Accounts Regularly
Why it matters: Old admin accounts and compromised user accounts are common entry points for hackers.
Action steps:
✅ Audit user accounts monthly
✅ Delete inactive users
✅ Demote unnecessary admin accounts to Editor/Author
✅ Use "Administrator" role only for site managers
✅ Check for suspicious usernames (random strings, "support", etc.)
User role hierarchy:
Super Admin – Multisite network admin only
Administrator – Full site control (1-2 people maximum)
Editor – For content managers
Author – For content creators
Contributor – For guest writers
Subscriber – For registered users
5.2 Implement Role-Based Access Control
Why it matters: Limit damage if an account is compromised by restricting what each user can do.
Action steps:
✅ Use User Role Editor plugin
✅ Create custom roles with specific capabilities
✅ Remove dangerous capabilities from non-admin roles
✅ Restrict plugin/theme installation to administrators
✅ Log user activity with WP Activity Log
🔍 Section 6: Monitoring & Maintenance
6.1 Enable Security Logging
Why it matters: Activity logs help you detect suspicious behavior and investigate security incidents.
Action steps:
✅ Install WP Activity Log
✅ Monitor failed login attempts
✅ Track user role changes
✅ Log plugin/theme installations
✅ Alert on critical events via email
✅ Keep logs for 90+ days
What to monitor:
Failed login attempts (potential brute force)
New user registrations
Plugin/theme changes
Core file modifications
Database changes
6.2 Run Regular Security Scans
Why it matters: Wordfence reported hundreds of new vulnerabilities weekly in 2025 – regular scanning catches infections early.
Action steps:
✅ Schedule weekly malware scans with your security plugin
✅ Use external scanners like Sucuri SiteCheck or VirusTotal
✅ Check Google Search Console for security warnings
✅ Monitor site uptime with UptimeRobot
✅ Review scan reports and fix issues immediately
6.3 Monitor Your Site for Blacklisting
Why it matters: If your site is compromised, it may get blacklisted by Google, causing massive traffic loss.
Action steps:
✅ Check Google Safe Browsing status
✅ Monitor Google Search Console for security issues
✅ Use Norton Safe Web checker
✅ Check VirusTotal for malware detection
✅ Set up Google Alerts for "[your site name] hacked"
🚀 Section 7: Hosting & Infrastructure Security
7.1 Choose a Security-Focused Hosting Provider
Why it matters: Your hosting provider is your first line of defense against attacks.
Security features to look for:
✅ Automatic malware scanning
✅ Free SSL certificates
✅ DDoS protection
✅ Server-level firewall
✅ Daily automatic backups
✅ Staging environments
✅ PHP 8.0+ support
Recommended WordPress hosts (2025):
WP Engine – Enterprise-grade security
Kinsta – Google Cloud Platform with advanced security
SiteGround – Excellent security for small-medium sites
Cloudways – Managed cloud hosting with security add-ons
7.2 Use SFTP Instead of FTP
Why it matters: Regular FTP transmits passwords in plain text. SFTP encrypts everything.
Action steps:
✅ Disable FTP access in your hosting control panel
✅ Enable SFTP/SSH access only
✅ Use SFTP port 22 (not FTP port 21)
✅ Use strong SSH keys instead of passwords
✅ Restrict SFTP access to specific IP addresses if possible
Recommended SFTP clients:
📱 Section 8: Additional Security Hardening
8.1 Disable XML-RPC
Why it matters: XML-RPC is a common target for brute force attacks and DDoS attacks.
Action steps:
✅ Add to .htaccess:
apache
<Files xmlrpc.php>
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</Files>✅ Or use Disable XML-RPC plugin
✅ Test that it's disabled at yoursite.com/xmlrpc.php
Exception: Only keep XML-RPC enabled if you use Jetpack or WordPress mobile app.
8.2 Add Security Headers
Why it matters: HTTP security headers protect against common attacks like XSS and clickjacking.
Action steps:
✅ Add to .htaccess or use security plugin:
apache
Header set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"
Header set X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN"
Header set X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block"
Header set Referrer-Policy "strict-origin-when-cross-origin"
Header set Permissions-Policy "geolocation=(), microphone=(), camera=()"✅ Test headers with Security Headers
✅ Aim for an A+ rating
8.3 Implement Content Security Policy (CSP)
Why it matters: CSP prevents XSS attacks by controlling which scripts can run on your site.
Action steps:
✅ Start with report-only mode:
apache
Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only: default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'✅ Monitor CSP reports in browser console
✅ Refine policy based on your site's needs
✅ Switch to enforcement mode when ready
✅ Use CSP Evaluator to test
WordPress Security Tools & Resources
Essential Security Plugins
Wordfence Security – Comprehensive firewall and malware scanner
Solid Security – Virtual patching and hardening
Sucuri Security – Malware detection and removal
UpdraftPlus – Backup and restoration
WP Activity Log – User activity monitoring
Online Security Scanners
Sucuri SiteCheck – Free malware scanner
VirusTotal – Multi-engine malware detection
Google Safe Browsing – Check blacklist status
Security Headers – Test HTTP security headers
SSL Labs – SSL configuration test
Security News & Updates
WPScan Vulnerability Database – Track WordPress vulnerabilities
Patchstack Blog – Latest security threats and patches
Wordfence Blog – Security insights and reports
WordPress Security Release Notes – Official security updates
Common WordPress Security Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Using Nulled or Pirated Plugins/Themes
Why it's dangerous: Over 4,000 WordPress sites were infected through fake SEO plugins. Nulled themes often contain hidden malware.
Solution: Only use plugins/themes from official sources (WordPress.org, ThemeForest, developer websites).
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Plugin Updates
Why it's dangerous: More than half of plugin developers don't patch vulnerabilities before disclosure, but delaying updates makes things worse.
Solution: Set aside time weekly for updates. Enable auto-updates for security plugins.
❌ Mistake #3: Weak Admin Passwords
Why it's dangerous: Password-based attacks are still the #1 entry point for WordPress hacks.
Solution: Use 16+ character passwords with a password manager. Enable 2FA.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Having Backups
Why it's dangerous: According to Patchstack, 14% of malware disables security plugins – including backup plugins.
Solution: Use automated offsite backups stored separately from your hosting account.
❌ Mistake #5: Too Many Admin Users
Why it's dangerous: Each admin account is a potential security vulnerability if compromised.
Solution: Limit admin access to 1-2 trusted users. Use Editor/Author roles for others.
What to Do If Your WordPress Site Gets Hacked
Immediate Response (Within 1 Hour)
Step 1: Take Site Offline
Put site in maintenance mode
Or enable "Coming Soon" page
Step 2: Change All Passwords
WordPress admin accounts
Database passwords
Hosting account passwords
FTP/SFTP passwords
Step 3: Scan for Malware
Use security plugin scanner
Check Sucuri SiteCheck
Use VirusTotal
Recovery Process (Within 24 Hours)
Step 4: Restore from Clean Backup
Restore from backup before infection
If no clean backup, proceed to manual cleanup
Step 5: Manual Cleanup (If Needed)
Check all user accounts for suspicious users
Scan core files with WP-CLI
Review all plugins and themes
Check database for malicious code
Review .htaccess and wp-config.php
Step 6: Harden Security
Implement checklist from this guide
Install security plugin
Enable 2FA on all accounts
Change all passwords again
Step 7: Request Google Reconsideration
Submit site to Google Search Console
Request review if blacklisted
Professional Help
If overwhelmed, hire professionals:
Sucuri Malware Removal ($199)
Wordfence Site Cleaning ($490)
WPFix Hacked Site Repair (starting $69)
Conclusion: Security is an Ongoing Process
WordPress security isn't a one-time setup – it's an ongoing process. With 96% of WordPress sites experiencing security incidents and hundreds of new vulnerabilities discovered weekly, staying vigilant is crucial.
Your Monthly Security Routine:
Weekly: Check for plugin/theme updates
Weekly: Review failed login attempts
Monthly: Run full security scan
Monthly: Review user accounts
Monthly: Test backup restoration
Quarterly: Security audit with checklist
Key Takeaways:
✅ Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated ✅ Use strong passwords and 2FA ✅ Install a security plugin with firewall ✅ Implement automated daily backups ✅ Monitor your site regularly ✅ Choose security-focused hosting
Remember: The cost of prevention is always less than the cost of recovery.
📥 Download Your Free WordPress Security Checklist
Ready to secure your WordPress site? Download our printable PDF checklist with all action items organized by priority.
What's included:
✅ Priority-ranked security tasks
✅ Tool and plugin recommendations
✅ Monthly maintenance schedule
✅ Emergency response plan
✅ Password strength template
Additional Resources
Official Documentation
Community Resources
Security Tools
WP-CLI – Command-line WordPress management
WPScan – WordPress vulnerability scanner
Exploit Database – Known exploits database
Have questions about WordPress security? Drop a comment below and our security experts will help you out!
Found this guide helpful? Share it with fellow WordPress users and help make the web more secure.
Last Updated: September 2025 Reading Time: 25 minutes Expertise Level: Beginner to Advanced
Disclaimer: While this guide provides comprehensive security recommendations based on current best practices and 2025 security data, no security measure can guarantee 100% protection. Always maintain current backups and consider professional security services for high-value websites.
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