Recommendations for Securing Your WordPress Blogs

As with numerous internet blogging and website platforms, there are certain security issues and vulnerabilities that you may have to deal with in the process of designing and developing your personal blog with WordPress. It is strongly recommended when you are first starting out as a blogger that you install certain WordPress security plug-ins in order to make your blog more secure and prevent hackers from invading it.

One of the more popular features of the WordPress platform is the rich plug-in architecture that it contains. Unless you are highly knowledgeable of the different WordPress internals and an expert at internet and website security, the use of security plug-ins is highly recommended. The following WordPress security plug-ins are the most recommended ones that are currently available for protecting your blog site:

Akismet – checks comments posted on your blog to determine whether or not they contain spam. You can view these comments in your Comments administration screen. Akismet is included in the WordPress installation but an API key will have to be applied for in order to use this plug-in.

BackWPUp – this is one of the better WordPress security plug-ins for backing up your database and files. Automatic back-ups can also be scheduled when using this plug-in. Best of all, it is totally FREE.

Website Defender (WordPress Security) – another FREE and very comprehensive plug-in that you can use is Website Defender. It will help you to make your WP installation more secure by suggesting corrective measures to take such as admin protection, database security, hiding your WP version, securing file permissions, and strengthening your passwords.

WP MalWatch – this security plug-in scanner alerts you to the attempts or presence of a hacker who is trying to get into your blog and work on it. One of the first things a hacker does is to plant malicious hidden files in your blog directory in order to fill your installation and theme with their own site links.

WP Secure – provides you with a secure installation and enables you to hide your plug-in directory and the version of WordPress that you are using.

WP Security Scan – strengthens your installation’s security by scanning for vulnerabilities and then recommends ways to correct the problem.

On a closing note, just remember that no plug-in is guaranteed and even WordPress has vulnerabilities and holes in its security. However, using the WordPress security plug-ins mentioned above will greatly reduce the risk of your blog being hacked.

Visit MySiteGotHacked.com.au for suggestions on Securing WordPress Blogs.