10-Step WordPress Security Checklist to Protect Your Site from Common Attacks

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WordPress runs over 40% of the web, making it a prime target for automated cyberattacks, most of which exploit outdated plugins, weak passwords, or nulled themes rather than sophisticated methods. Key hardening steps include enabling core auto-updates, enforcing strong credentials with two-factor authentication, and using a single security plugin like Wordfence to avoid performance conflicts. Site owners should also place Cloudflare in front of their server for network-layer protection, rate-limit login attempts, and move the default login URL to reduce automated scanning traffic. Backups must cover both files and the database, stored independently from the host, with tiered retention schedules. WooCommerce users face additional risks and should prioritize updating payment plugins, auditing admin roles, and monitoring for unusual refund activity as signs of compromise.

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