Many WordPress users are looking for the easiest way to install and setup WordPress. It can be as easy as clicking a button, if your web host provides that option, but if the install our site vulnerable to attack – the ease of setting it up quickly fades.

Here are a few steps we can do to tighten up the security for our WordPress websites.

Always, Always, Always Upgrade to the Latest Version

WordPress’ popularity makes it a big target for security attacks. At the same time, its popularity requires that security gets better and better. The latest version of WordPress will be the most secure. Upgrade WordPress as soon as possible when a new version come out.

Install WordPress to a Subdirectory

Since WordPress installs are so common, the default naming convention for files/folders/databases, etc. are well known. One way to make your install different from the guy next door is to install your WordPress into a subdirectory off your root directory. This can be done without exposing the name of your subdirectory to the general public.

After installing WordPress to a subdirectory, move the index.php file from inside this subdirectory to the root directory. This not only keeps your root directory clean, your subdirectory name will not be used in the URL for your site.

Use Obscure Database Name and Table Names

The other way to make things less obvious is to name your database something besides wordpress or wp. Call it sometopic_wp, or wp_somenumbers, or somethingmoreobscure. Along the same lines, give the prefix for your database tables something else besides wp_. Try wp_numChars or wpnumChars.

If you are using a self-installer, you will be prompted for this information. Plug in your obscure names.

If you are not using a self-installer, set these parameters inside the wp-config.php file.

Set the database name in the following line:

[php]define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘obscurename’);[/php]

For the table prefix, change the following line

[php]$table_prefix = ‘wp_'[/php]

to

[php]$table_prefix = ‘wp_obscurename'[/php]

Use Obscure Database User Name

In carrying through with the idea security through obscurity idea, use an obscure database user name, too.  A unique combination of letters and numbers hides the obvious.

Disabling Directory Views

If directory views are enabled the contents of your website directories will be listed for your visitors to see if that directory does not have a index file. Not good! If someone has access to your wp-config.php file, they could quickly compromise your site. Many hosts already disable directory view, but if it hasn’t been disabled, you can take care of it rather quickly.

In the htaccess file of the root directory add this line near the top of the file

[php]Options -Indexes[/php]

If htaccess is not an option, you can add a blank index.htm or index.php into each of your WordPress directories. Instead of seeing a directory listing, a blank page will appear (the index file).

Protect wp-config.php File

WordPress uses the wp-config.file to connect to the database and set various preferences. Valuable information is contained within this file. At a minimum, set the permissions of the wp-config.php file to 644 (read and write for the owner, read for group, read only for the world).

To further secure the file, you could update the htaccess file and limit the IP address that can access the file. Visit themelab for more info. (Note: In themelab’s example, they show how to limit access for the wp-login.php file. Substitute wp-config.php for the file name.)

Permissions for File and Directories

It’s likely that your web host has already set up optimal permission settings and access rights. Directory permissions should be set to 755, file permissions to 644.  You might run across exceptions to this when configuring files or directories with plugins, but for the most part these settings should work across the board.

Change Admin Username

Most self-installers let you specify an admin name and password upon installation. Never use ‘admin’ as the user name. Be a bit more creative! If the install automatically adds the admin user, update this immediately after installation to a different username.

This gives you a good foundation in securing down your site. What are some of the steps you’ve taken to keep your site secure from the bad guys?

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