10 Steps to Protect Your Site
Update WordPress, themes, and plugins weekly to patch known vulnerabilities
Enable two-factor authentication on all admin accounts today
Install Wordfence or similar security plugin to automate threat protection
Set up daily backups stored offsite (not on your hosting server)
You’ve invested time and money building your WordPress website. It’s generating enquiries, customers find you online, and business is ticking along nicely.
But when did you last think about security?
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. That popularity makes it a target for hackers and automated scripts that scan thousands of sites looking for weaknesses.
The good news is that most security breaches are entirely preventable. With the right measures in place, you can protect your business without needing technical expertise or a large budget.
This checklist gives you ten practical steps to secure your WordPress site.
Work through them in order, starting with the actions that make the biggest difference. By the end, you’ll have solid protection against the most common threats and the confidence that comes with knowing your site is properly secured.
Table of Contents
Why WordPress Security Matters
You might assume hackers only target large companies with valuable data. In reality, automated attacks don’t discriminate.
They scan thousands of random websites looking for easy targets, and a small business with weak security is just as vulnerable as any other site.
According to the Wordfence 2024 security report, plugins account for around 96% of WordPress vulnerabilities.
Many of these weaknesses have already been patched in updates that site owners haven’t installed. The attackers aren’t breaking through sophisticated defences.
They’re walking through doors that could have been locked with a simple update.
The Real Cost of a Security Breach
A hacked website costs more than repair bills. UK businesses face average cleanup costs of several thousand pounds, plus lost revenue while your site is offline.
There’s the damage to your reputation when customers see security warnings in their browser. And there’s the time you’ll spend dealing with the problem instead of running your business.
Having decent WordPress Security measures in place will make life difficult for hackers.
Your WordPress Security Checklist
Here are ten steps you can work through, starting with the actions that make the biggest difference. You can complete most of these yourself in an afternoon, and none require coding knowledge.
1. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
Most WordPress hacks exploit known vulnerabilities and problems that have already been fixed in software updates.
By keeping everything current, you close these security gaps before attackers find them.
Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Dashboard > Updates. You’ll see whether your WordPress core, themes, or plugins need updating. Make it a weekly habit, or enable automatic updates for minor releases.
While you’re there, delete any themes or plugins you’re not using. Even inactive plugins can contain vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.
If you’re not using it, remove it completely.
Before running major updates, take a backup first. Updates occasionally cause compatibility issues, and a recent backup lets you roll back quickly if something breaks.
How to Update WordPress Plugins Safely (Without Breaking Your Website)
2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication
Weak passwords remain one of the easiest ways for attackers to access WordPress sites.
Automated scripts try common passwords thousands of times per minute, and simple combinations get cracked within seconds.
Creating Strong Passwords
Your WordPress admin password should be at least 12 characters long, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. Better still, use a random password generated by a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. These tools create and store complex passwords so you don’t need to remember them.
Never reuse passwords across different accounts. If one site gets breached, attackers try those same credentials everywhere else.
Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication 2FA
Two-factor authentication adds a second verification step when you log in.
Even if someone discovers your password, they cannot access your account without the code from your phone.
Free plugins like WP 2FA or the free version of Wordfence make setup straightforward. You’ll scan a QR code with an authenticator app, then enter a code each time you log in. The extra few seconds are worth the protection they provide.
Don’t Share Login Details
Make sure every User has their own unique account. And disable it when no longer needed.
3. Install an SSL Certificate
That padlock icon in your browser address bar shows a site uses HTTPS encryption. Data travelling between your website and visitors is scrambled, protecting it from interception.
Most UK hosting providers now include free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.
Check with your host if yours isn’t active. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > General and confirm both your WordPress Address and Site Address start with “https://”.
Beyond security, HTTPS is a ranking factor for Google. Sites without it display “Not Secure” warnings that drive visitors away. With free certificates widely available, there’s no good reason to run your business site without one.
4. Choose Reliable Hosting
Your hosting provider is the foundation of your website security. A good host maintains server security, keeps software updated, and monitors for threats. A poor one leaves your site exposed regardless of what else you do.
When evaluating hosting, look for providers offering:
- Automatic WordPress core updates
- Regular malware scanning
- Web application firewalls
- Daily backups included
- UK-based or EU data centres (helpful for GDPR compliance)
If you’re on budget shared hosting, consider whether the savings justify the risk.
Managed WordPress hosting from UK providers like Krystal, 20i, or Starter Story costs more but includes security features as standard. For business websites generating revenue, the extra cost is usually a sensible investment.
5. Install a Security Plugin
A security plugin automates protection that would otherwise require technical knowledge. It watches for suspicious activity, blocks known threats, and alerts you to problems before they escalate.
Recommended Security Plugins
Wordfence offers a capable free version with a firewall, malware scanner, and login security. It’s the most popular choice and works well for most small business sites.
Sucuri Security provides website monitoring and malware scanning. Their free plugin covers the basics, with paid plans adding a cloud-based web application firewall.
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) focuses on hardening WordPress against common attacks. It’s particularly user-friendly for non-technical site owners.
Choose one security plugin and configure it properly. Installing multiple security plugins causes conflicts and can actually weaken your protection rather than strengthen it.
6. Set Up Regular Backups
If something goes wrong, a recent backup means you can restore your site rather than rebuilding from scratch. Think of backups as insurance for your website.
A complete backup includes both your files (themes, plugins, uploads) and your database (posts, pages, settings). For active business sites, daily backups make sense. Store them somewhere separate from your hosting account, because if your server is compromised, backups on that same server become useless.
UpdraftPlus is a reliable free plugin that automatically backs up to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Set it up once, and it runs quietly in the background.
Test your backups occasionally by restoring to a staging site. A backup you’ve never tested might not work when you actually need it.
7. Limit Login Attempts
Brute force attacks try thousands of username and password combinations hoping to guess correctly. By limiting login attempts, you lock out attackers after a few failed tries.
Most security plugins include this feature as standard.
Configure it to block IP addresses after three to five failed login attempts. Legitimate users occasionally mistype passwords, so don’t set the threshold too low.
For additional protection, consider changing your login page URL from the default /wp-admin/ or /wp-login.php.
Plugins like WPS Hide Login make this simple. Since attackers target the default addresses, moving your login page blocks many automated attacks before they even reach your actual login form.
8. Manage User Permissions Carefully
WordPress has different user roles with different capabilities.
An Administrator can change anything. An Editor can manage content but cannot install plugins. A Subscriber can only manage their own profile.
Give each user only the access they need for their role. A content writer shouldn’t have administrator privileges. Someone updating blog posts doesn’t need the ability to install plugins or modify themes.
Review your user list regularly.
Remove accounts for people who no longer need access. Old accounts with weak passwords are a common entry point for attackers, particularly when former employees or contractors retain access they no longer require.
9. Monitor Your Site for Issues
You cannot fix problems you don’t know about. Monitoring alerts you to suspicious activity before minor issues become serious incidents.
Your security plugin likely includes monitoring features. Enable email alerts for failed login attempts, file changes, and malware detection. Actually check these alerts rather than letting them pile up unread.
Google Search Console (free) monitors your site from Google’s perspective and alerts you if Google detects security issues or malware. If you haven’t set this up, do it today. It takes ten minutes and provides early warning of problems that could otherwise damage your search rankings.
10.Know Your GDPR Obligations
As a UK business collecting personal data through your website, you have legal requirements under UK GDPR. This includes contact form submissions, email newsletter signups, customer accounts, and even analytics data.
GDPR requires you to implement “appropriate technical and organisational measures” to protect personal data. The security steps in this checklist help demonstrate that compliance. If regulators investigate, you’ll need to show what measures you had in place.
If you suffer a data breach that poses a risk to individuals, you must notify the Information Commissioner’s Office within 72 hours. You’ll also need to inform affected individuals. Having good security reduces breach likelihood and demonstrates you took reasonable precautions.
The ICO website provides guidance specifically written for small businesses. Understanding your obligations before something goes wrong is far easier than scrambling to comply during a crisis.
When to Get Help
This checklist covers the essentials that protect against most threats. However, some situations call for professional support.
Consider bringing in expert help if:
- Your site handles sensitive customer data like payment information
- You’ve spotted suspicious activity you cannot explain
- You want a thorough security audit from fresh eyes
- Your business depends heavily on your website being available
- You’ve been hacked and need professional cleanup
The cost of professional security support is typically far less than the cost of recovering from a serious breach. If your WordPress site generates significant revenue or handles customer data, expert assistance is worth considering as part of your ongoing security approach.
Moving Forward
WordPress security isn’t a one-time task you complete and forget. It requires regular attention. Set a monthly reminder to check for updates, review user accounts, and verify your backups are running correctly.
The steps in this checklist protect you from the vast majority of threats. Automated attacks target easy victims, and by implementing these measures, you make your site a harder target. Attackers move on to easier prey elsewhere.
Start with the first three items today: run your updates, set up strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and check your SSL certificate is active. Then work through the remaining steps over the coming week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check for updates at least once a week. WordPress core, themes, and plugins all release security patches regularly. Enable automatic updates for minor WordPress releases, but take a backup before major version changes in case of compatibility issues.
Wordfence is an excellent starting point for most small business sites. The free version includes a firewall, malware scanner, and login security. It’s well-supported and regularly updated. The key is choosing one plugin and configuring it properly rather than installing several.
Free tools provide solid protection for most small business websites. Wordfence and Sucuri both offer capable free versions covering essentials. Paid versions add features like real-time threat intelligence and priority support. Start free and upgrade only if your needs grow.
Yes. WordPress core software is secure and receives regular updates. Most security problems stem from outdated plugins, weak passwords, or inadequate hosting. Following recommended security practices makes WordPress suitable for business websites of any size.
Absolutely. SSL encrypts data between your website and visitors, protecting form submissions and login details. Most UK hosts provide free SSL certificates. Google uses HTTPS as a ranking factor, and browsers display “Not Secure” warnings for sites without it.
Install WP 2FA or enable the 2FA feature within Wordfence. You’ll scan a QR code with an authenticator app on your phone, such as Google Authenticator or Authy. Each subsequent login requires both your password and a time-limited code from the app.
Read more: https://www.respectexperts.co.uk/how-to-set-up-two-factor-authentication/
Most small business owners can handle these security basics without technical expertise. The steps require no coding. Consider professional help if you handle payment data, suspect you’ve been compromised, want an expert audit, or simply prefer someone else to manage security for you.
Daily backups suit most active business websites. Store them offsite using cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3. Test restoration occasionally to confirm backups actually work. Untested backups have an unfortunate habit of failing when you need them most.