WordPress powers more than 43% of the entire web, making it a top target for hackers. In 2025, cyberattacks, malware injections, brute-force logins, and SQL injections have increased more than ever.
If your website is hacked, you can lose:
❌ SEO rankings
❌ Customer trust
❌ Data & files
❌ Revenue
❌ Entire website
That’s why WordPress security is NOT optional — it is mandatory.
This guide covers everything you need to secure your WordPress site from hackers in 2025 — even if you’re not technical.
⭐ Why Hackers Target WordPress Websites
Hackers attack WordPress sites because:
- It is popular (more victims = more benefits)
- Many sites use weak passwords
- Old themes and plugins contain vulnerabilities
- Cheap hosting is easily breached
- Site owners avoid regular updates
But the good news is…
90% of hacks can be prevented with the right precautions.
⭐ Step-by-Step: How to Secure Your WordPress Website in 2025
1. Use Strong Passwords + Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Weak passwords are the #1 reason websites get hacked.
✔ What to do:
- Use strong passwords (mix of A-Z, numbers, symbols)
- Change passwords every 2–3 months
- Enable 2FA for added protection
Best Plugins for 2FA:
- Wordfence
- WP 2FA
- Google Authenticator
2. Keep WordPress, Themes & Plugins Updated
Outdated software = security hole.
Why it’s important:
Most hacks happen due to old plugins or themes that have known vulnerabilities.
What to update:
✔ Core WordPress
✔ Themes
✔ Plugins
Enable auto-updates for essential plugins.
3. Use a Security Plugin
Security plugins give firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security.
Best WordPress Security Plugins in 2025:
🔥 Wordfence (Recommended)
- Malware scan
- Firewall
- Brute-force protection
iThemes Security
- Login lockdown
- File change detection
Sucuri
- Remote malware scanning
- Monitoring
4. Install an SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
SSL encrypts your website data.
Why SSL is crucial:
- Protects user data
- Improves Google ranking
- Prevents MITM attacks
You can get free SSL from Let’s Encrypt.
5. Limit Login Attempts
Hackers use scripts to try thousands of username/password combinations.
Prevent it using:
- Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin
- Wordfence security
6. Change Default Login URL
Avoid using /wp-login.php or /wp-admin.
Use a custom login URL:
example.com/my-login
example.com/secure-admin
Use WPS Hide Login plugin.
7. Disable File Editing in WordPress
Hackers often edit theme and plugin files to inject malicious code.
Add this line to wp-config.php:
define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);
This blocks file editing from the admin area.
8. Regularly Scan for Malware
Use security plugins to scan:
- Themes
- Plugins
- wp-content
- Database
Best scanners:
- Wordfence
- Sucuri
- MalCare
9. Take Daily Backups
If hacked, backups save your life.
Best Backup Plugins:
- UpdraftPlus
- Jetpack Backup
- BackupBuddy
Schedule:
- Daily backup for blogs
- Hourly backup for e-commerce sites
10. Secure wp-config.php
This file contains your database login information.
How to secure it:
- Move it one level above public_html
- Add permissions 400 or 440
- Deny access via .htaccess
11. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
WAF filters malicious traffic before it reaches your site.
Best WAF Services:
- Wordfence Firewall
- Cloudflare Firewall
- Sucuri Firewall
Cloudflare is great because it also improves speed.
12. Use High-Quality Hosting
Cheap hosting = easy to hack
Cloud hosting = secure and fast
Best Secure Hosting Providers:
- SiteGround
- Cloudways
- WP Engine
- Hostinger Cloud
13. Delete Unused Themes & Plugins
Hackers love unused and outdated plugins.
Delete everything you don’t use.
14. Disable XML-RPC
XML-RPC is often used in brute-force attacks.
Disable it using:
- Disable XML-RPC Plugin
- Or block it via .htaccess
⭐ How to Know If Your WordPress Site Is Hacked
Signs your website is hacked:
❌ Website redirects to another site
❌ Unknown admin users
❌ Suspicious code in files
❌ Google marks site as dangerous
❌ Hosting sends malware warning
❌ Traffic suddenly drops
❌ Popups or ads appear unexpectedly
If you see any of these, take action immediately.
⭐ What to Do If Your Website Is Already Hacked
- Take your site offline
- Scan with Wordfence or Sucuri
- Restore from backup
- Change all passwords
- Update everything
- Remove infected files
- Re-upload clean WordPress core files
- Re-check security plugins
If you need help, I can also create a “How to clean hacked WordPress site” blog.
⭐ Conclusion: Secure Your WordPress Website Before It’s Too Late
Cyberattacks will continue to rise in 2025.
But following these steps will protect your website:
✔ Strong passwords + 2FA
✔ Security plugin
✔ SSL certificate
✔ Limited login attempts
✔ Daily backups
✔ Clean code
✔ Updated plugins
A secure website = peace of mind + better SEO + safe customer data.