As a popular content management system, WordPress is often a target for hackers and malicious actors looking to exploit vulnerabilities in websites. Hardening WordPress on Ubuntu 22 LTS LEMP stack can help protect your website from such attacks.
In this post, we will guide you through the steps to harden WordPress on Ubuntu 22 LTS LEMP stack, while also referencing helpful resources from Help4WordPress.
Step 1: Keep your WordPress and server software up-to-date
One of the most important steps to harden WordPress is to keep it updated with the latest software releases. This includes WordPress itself, as well as the underlying server software such as PHP and MySQL.
To keep your WordPress up-to-date, log in to your WordPress dashboard and check for any available updates. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your server software using the appropriate package manager for your Ubuntu 22 LTS LEMP stack.
Step 2: Use strong passwords and limit login attempts
Weak passwords are one of the most common ways hackers gain access to WordPress websites. To harden your WordPress, make sure to use strong passwords for all user accounts and limit the number of login attempts allowed.
Step 3: Install security plugins
Installing security plugins is an easy and effective way to harden your WordPress. Help4WordPress recommends the following security plugins:
- Sucuri.net makes a great FREE plugin that also works with theirs and the GoDaddy.com Website Security Packages offered on their site. This plugin will tell you if a file has been changed or if your site is infected with malware. You will also be able to scan various other parts of your site to help protect it.
- Wordfence Security: Provides real-time malware scanning, firewall protection, and login security.
- iThemes Security: Offers over 30 different ways to harden WordPress, including brute force protection, two-factor authentication, and database backups.
Step 4: Enable HTTPS
Enabling HTTPS can help secure your website and protect your users’ data. Help4WordPress provides a guide on how to enable HTTPS on your Ubuntu 22 LTS LEMP stack using Let’s Encrypt.
Step 5: Disable file editing in WordPress dashboard
Disabling file editing in the WordPress dashboard can help prevent malicious actors from modifying your website’s files. Help4WordPress recommends adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:
define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );
This will disable the ability to edit files within the WordPress dashboard.
In conclusion, hardening WordPress on Ubuntu 22 LTS LEMP stack is crucial to protect your website from potential security threats. By following the steps outlined in this post and utilizing the resources provided by Help4WordPress, you can ensure that your WordPress website is secure and well-protected.
References:
- Wordfence Security Plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/)
- iThemes Security Plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-wp-security/)
- Let’s Encrypt Guide (https://help4wordpress.com/how-to-install-ssl-certificate-on-ubuntu-22-lts-lemp-with-lets-encrypt/)
