9 WordPress Security Checks Every Website Owner Should Perform

Your website does not need to be famous to become a target. A few overlooked security weaknesses can expose your data, damage your reputation, and take your business offline.

Running a WordPress website involves more than publishing articles, installing themes, and adding plugins. You are also responsible for protecting the accounts, files, databases, and information that keep the website running.

Many website owners assume their sites are safe because they have installed a security plugin or enabled an SSL certificate. These measures can help, but neither guarantees that a website is secure.

A WordPress installation can still be vulnerable because of outdated plugins, weak administrator passwords, excessive user permissions, insecure hosting configurations, or backups that cannot actually be restored.

The problem is that security weaknesses are not always visible. Your homepage may load normally while an outdated plugin exposes an attack path or an unused administrator account remains accessible.

You do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to perform basic security checks. However, you do need a consistent process for reviewing your website and responding when something looks suspicious.

Here are nine practical WordPress security checks every website owner should perform.

1. Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

Outdated software is one of the most common security risks for WordPress websites.

WordPress core, themes, and plugins receive updates for different reasons. Some introduce new features, while others fix bugs, improve compatibility, or address security vulnerabilities.

When a vulnerability becomes publicly known, attackers may search for websites running affected versions. A website that has not been updated can remain exposed even when a security fix is available.

Imagine that your website uses a contact-form plugin with a security vulnerability. The plugin developer releases a patched version, but you postpone updating because the contact form appears to work correctly.

The website may continue operating normally while the vulnerable code remains installed.

That is why updates should be treated as part of routine website maintenance rather than optional improvements.

Start by reviewing:

• Your installed WordPress version.
• Available WordPress core updates.
• Active theme versions.
• Installed plugin versions.
• Compatibility warnings and update notices.
• Security announcements from plugin and theme developers.

You should also remove outdated components that are no longer needed.

An inactive plugin is not automatically harmless. Its files may still exist on the server, and vulnerabilities in installed software can create unnecessary risk even when the component is not currently active.

Practical approach

Log in to your WordPress dashboard and open the Updates section. Review available updates and apply them after checking compatibility and preparing a backup.

For important business websites, test updates in a staging environment before applying them to production. This is particularly useful when the website depends on payment gateways, custom themes, membership systems, or multiple connected plugins.

Avoid updating everything blindly without a recovery plan. A plugin update can introduce compatibility problems even when the update itself is legitimate.

The goal is to keep software maintained while ensuring that changes do not break important website functionality.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

A secure WordPress installation can still be compromised if an administrator uses a weak or reused password.

Attackers commonly attempt to access accounts using leaked credentials, automated login attempts, and password combinations collected from previous data breaches.

For example, suppose you use the same password for WordPress, email, and another online service. If that external service experiences a breach, attackers may try the exposed password against your WordPress login.

This is why password reuse is dangerous.

Every administrator account should use a unique, strong password. A password manager can help generate and store complex credentials without requiring you to remember every password manually.

You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Two-factor authentication requires an additional verification step beyond the password. Depending on the implementation, this might involve an authenticator application, a security key, or another supported verification method.

Even if someone obtains your password, the additional authentication requirement can make unauthorized access more difficult.

Practical approach

Review administrator accounts and ensure that:

• Every administrator has a unique password.
• Passwords are not reused across services.
• Two-factor authentication is enabled.
• Recovery methods are configured securely.
• Shared administrator credentials are avoided.

Use an established WordPress security plugin or an authentication solution that supports 2FA. Choose a maintained option and verify that it works with your login process.

For websites managed by multiple people, give every person an individual account rather than sharing one administrator username.

Individual accounts make it easier to identify who performed an action and revoke access when someone leaves the team.

A strong password protects the first authentication step. Two-factor authentication adds another layer when that first step is compromised.

3. Review User Accounts and Permissions

Not everyone who works on your website needs administrator access.

WordPress provides different user roles, including Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber. Each role has different capabilities.

Giving every user administrator permissions creates unnecessary risk.

Imagine that you hire a writer to publish articles. The writer needs to create and edit posts, but does not necessarily need permission to install plugins, change website settings, or manage other accounts.

If you give that person administrator access, a compromised account could affect much more than the content they manage.

The principle to follow is least privilege: users should receive only the permissions required to perform their responsibilities.

You should also review accounts that are no longer needed.

Old accounts may belong to former employees, contractors, developers, or agencies. If their access remains active, they represent additional entry points into your website.

Practical approach

Open the WordPress Users section and review every account.

Check:

• Whether the account belongs to a current team member.
• Whether its assigned role is appropriate.
• Whether administrator accounts are genuinely necessary.
• Whether old contractor accounts should be removed.
• Whether unknown or suspicious accounts exist.
• Whether shared accounts can be replaced with individual accounts.

Before deleting a user, check whether that person owns published content. WordPress may ask you to reassign their content to another account.

If an account appears suspicious, investigate it rather than simply assuming it is harmless.

For business websites, establish a process for granting and revoking access. When a developer or employee no longer needs access, remove their account and review any related credentials they may have used.

Access control is not a one-time configuration. It should change as your team changes.

4. Check Your Backups and Test Restoration

Backups are one of the most important parts of website recovery.

A security incident can result in deleted files, modified database records, damaged configurations, or an unavailable website. A recent, reliable backup can help you recover without rebuilding everything manually.

However, there is an important distinction between having a backup and having a backup that works.

Some website owners install a backup plugin, see that it reports a successful backup, and assume their website is protected.

But what if the backup contains only database records and not uploaded media? What if the backup files are corrupted? What if they are stored on the same hosting account that gets compromised?

A backup that cannot be restored does not provide the protection you expect.

Practical approach

A reliable backup process should include:

• WordPress database backups.
• Theme and plugin files.
• Uploaded images and documents.
• Important configuration files.
• Copies stored outside the primary hosting account.
• A defined backup schedule.
• A retention policy for older backups.

The backup frequency should depend on how frequently your website changes.

A small personal blog that publishes once a week may not need the same schedule as an online store processing orders throughout the day.

For a business website, consider how much recent data you can afford to lose. This is related to your Recovery Point Objective (RPO).

Also consider how quickly you need the website restored. This is related to your Recovery Time Objective (RTO).

These two measurements help you decide how frequently to back up and how quickly your recovery process must work.

Most importantly, perform restoration tests in a separate environment.

Restore a backup, verify that the website loads, check important pages, and confirm that the database and uploaded files are available.

Do not wait for an emergency to discover that your backup process was incomplete.

5. Verify HTTPS and Your TLS Configuration

HTTPS protects communication between a visitor's browser and your website through encryption provided by TLS.

Without HTTPS, information exchanged between the browser and server may be exposed to interception or modification on an untrusted network.

This is particularly important for websites that process login credentials, contact information, customer details, or payment-related data.

However, simply installing a TLS certificate does not mean the entire website is configured correctly.

You might still have mixed-content warnings, where the main page loads over HTTPS but some images, scripts, or stylesheets are requested through insecure HTTP connections.

A certificate can also expire, or the website may redirect inconsistently between HTTP and HTTPS versions.

Practical approach

Check the following:

• Your TLS certificate is valid and has not expired.
• Your website redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
• Internal links use HTTPS.
• Images, scripts, and stylesheets load securely.
• Login and administrative pages use HTTPS.
• Your hosting configuration serves the correct certificate.

You can test your website by opening it in a browser and checking the connection information in the address bar.

You can also use an external TLS testing service to inspect certificate validity and server configuration.

Once HTTPS is working correctly, consider enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS).

HSTS tells compatible browsers to use HTTPS when connecting to your domain for the period specified by the policy.

Be careful when configuring it. An incorrect HSTS policy can make a website inaccessible through HTTP even when its HTTPS configuration is not ready. Start with a suitable policy and understand its implications before using long durations or preload settings.

One more important point: HTTPS protects data in transit. It does not prevent weak passwords, vulnerable plugins, compromised administrator accounts, or malicious code already running on the server.

Encryption is essential, but it is only one part of website security.

6. Review Your Plugins and Themes

WordPress plugins and themes extend what your website can do, but every additional component introduces code that must be maintained.

A plugin may have access to website data, database records, user information, or administrative functionality. If it contains a vulnerability, that access can create security problems.

The risk is not limited to poorly written plugins. Even useful and popular extensions can develop vulnerabilities or become abandoned when their maintainers stop providing updates.

A common mistake is installing a plugin for one temporary requirement and leaving it on the website indefinitely.

Over time, the installation accumulates extensions that nobody remembers using.

Practical approach

Review your installed plugins and themes.

For every component, ask:

• Does the website still need it?
• Is it actively maintained?
• When was its last update?
• Does the developer publish security fixes?
• Is it compatible with your current WordPress version?
• Does it come from a trustworthy source?
• Does it request permissions or access beyond its purpose?

Remove plugins and themes that are no longer needed.

Download extensions from trusted sources, such as the official WordPress plugin and theme directories or reputable commercial developers.

Avoid installing modified or pirated premium plugins and themes. They may contain malicious code, hidden backdoors, or outdated vulnerabilities.

Also remember that removing a plugin from the dashboard does not always remove every piece of data it created. Check its documentation before removing important extensions, particularly those that manage forms, memberships, stores, or custom content.

A smaller, well-maintained plugin collection is generally easier to secure than a website full of unnecessary extensions.

7. Check Hosting and File Security

WordPress security does not end inside the dashboard.

Your hosting environment also matters.

Even if your WordPress installation is properly maintained, insecure server configuration or excessive file permissions can create additional risks.

For example, if sensitive configuration files are exposed publicly, attackers may gain information that helps them access the website or its database.

Similarly, outdated PHP versions can leave your website dependent on software that no longer receives security updates.

Practical approach

Review these hosting and filesystem settings:

PHP version

Check which PHP version your hosting provider uses. Run a currently supported version compatible with your WordPress installation and extensions.

Do not assume that the newest available version is automatically compatible with every plugin. Test compatibility before changing production.

File permissions

Review permissions for WordPress files and directories.

A common starting point is:

• Directories: 755
• Files: 644
• wp-config.php: restricted access where supported by the hosting environment

These are general starting points, not universal rules. The correct configuration depends on the server, ownership model, and deployment setup.

Avoid giving every file and directory unrestricted write permissions just to fix an installation problem.

Configuration protection

The wp-config.php file contains important database and configuration information. Ensure it cannot be downloaded through the web server and restrict access to authorized users.

Database security

Use a strong database password and avoid exposing database services publicly. Your database should be accessible only through the connections required by your application and hosting environment.

File editing

If you manage the website through the WordPress dashboard, consider disabling the built-in theme and plugin file editor when it is not needed.

WordPress supports this through the DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT configuration constant.

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Place the setting in the appropriate location in wp-config.php, before the line that says WordPress editing is complete.

This removes the dashboard's built-in file editor, reducing the risk of someone with dashboard access modifying theme or plugin code through that interface. It does not prevent all forms of file modification.

For managed hosting, ask your provider about server isolation, supported PHP versions, malware scanning, and access controls.

A secure website requires attention to both the application and the environment running it.

8. Monitor Login Attempts and Suspicious Activity

A website can experience suspicious activity without immediately showing visible signs of compromise.

Someone may repeatedly attempt to log in, create unexpected accounts, modify files, or send unusual requests to vulnerable endpoints.

If you never review activity, you may discover the problem only after the website begins displaying spam, redirecting visitors, or becoming unavailable.

Monitoring helps you identify unusual behavior earlier.

Practical approach

Use appropriate logging and security monitoring to review:

• Repeated failed login attempts.
• Successful logins from unexpected locations or devices.
• New administrator accounts.
• Unexpected changes to user permissions.
• Plugin and theme modifications.
• Unusual file changes.
• Unexpected redirects or suspicious scripts.
• Server errors and unusual traffic patterns.

A reputable WordPress security plugin can provide some of these capabilities. Hosting providers may also offer access logs, error logs, firewall events, and malware scanning.

Do not rely only on a plugin's notification count. Security monitoring should help you understand what happened and what action is required.

For example, several failed login attempts do not automatically prove that your website has been compromised. They may be automated attempts against publicly accessible login pages.

However, an unexpected administrator account or an unfamiliar change to a critical file deserves investigation.

You can also strengthen login protection with rate limiting, appropriate firewall rules, and additional authentication controls.

Be careful with aggressive blocking rules. They can accidentally lock out legitimate users or interfere with APIs and other website functionality.

The goal is to make suspicious behavior visible while keeping legitimate website operations working normally.

9. Test Your Recovery Plan

The final security check is one that many website owners overlook.

You may have updated everything, enabled 2FA, reviewed permissions, and configured backups. But do you know exactly what to do if your website is compromised tomorrow?

A security incident can become much worse when nobody knows who should respond, which credentials must be changed, or how to restore the website safely.

Having a recovery plan reduces confusion during an incident.

Imagine that your website suddenly redirects visitors to an unfamiliar domain. You suspect malicious code has been added to the installation.

What happens next?

Do you immediately delete random files? Restore an old backup? Contact hosting support? Change every password?

Without a plan, you may destroy useful evidence or restore a backup that contains the same malicious code.

Practical approach

Create a simple incident-response checklist that covers:

1. Identify the affected website and investigate the suspicious behavior.
2. Contact your hosting provider or security administrator when necessary.
3. Restrict access or isolate the affected installation if the incident requires it.
4. Preserve relevant logs and evidence where possible.
5. Change compromised credentials from a trusted device.
6. Identify and remove the underlying vulnerability or malicious code.
7. Restore from a known-clean backup when appropriate.
8. Update WordPress, plugins, themes, and affected server components.
9. Verify that the website works correctly and monitor it after recovery.

Do not assume that restoring a backup automatically removes the original vulnerability. If you restore an old version of a vulnerable plugin, the same attack may happen again.

You should also review database contents, administrator accounts, scheduled tasks, and other locations where malicious changes may have been introduced.

For websites that process payments or store personal information, consider whether the incident triggers additional legal, contractual, or notification responsibilities. Those obligations depend on the information involved and the applicable jurisdiction.

Finally, test your recovery process periodically.

A written recovery plan is useful, but a successful restoration test provides much stronger evidence that the plan actually works.

A Simple WordPress Security Maintenance Routine

Performing these nine checks once is a good start, but website security requires ongoing maintenance.

You can organize the work into a simple routine.

Weekly checks

• Review available updates.
• Check important security notifications.
• Review suspicious login activity.
• Confirm that recent backups completed successfully.
• Investigate unexpected website behavior.

Monthly checks

• Review user accounts and permissions.
• Remove unnecessary plugins and themes.
• Check hosting and PHP support.
• Review website logs.
• Verify that HTTPS is working correctly.

Periodic checks

• Perform a backup restoration test.
• Review administrator access.
• Test your incident-response process.
• Reassess hosting security and recovery arrangements.

The frequency should reflect the website's importance and the amount of activity it handles. An online store processing orders every day needs more frequent attention than a personal website that rarely changes.

Final Thoughts

WordPress security is not a single plugin, a password, or an SSL certificate.

It is a collection of decisions and maintenance practices that work together to reduce risk.

Outdated software, weak authentication, excessive permissions, unreliable backups, insecure hosting, and poor monitoring can each create opportunities for problems.

You do not need to make your website complicated to improve its security. Start by reviewing the components you already use, removing unnecessary access, testing your backups, and understanding how you would respond to an incident.

Most importantly, do not wait until something goes wrong.

A website that works today is not necessarily a website that is secure tomorrow. Regular checks help you discover weaknesses before they become expensive recovery problems.

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