No one wants to have their website hacked. Even though you may think that will never happen to you, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You should be performing security checks on your WordPress website monthly. Without these, you will find yourself in a prime position for bored hackers who love hijacking websites (small and large) and hosting their content for free using your hosting plan.
What is the ultimate goal of a hacker?
Sometimes they’re just on an internet superhighway joyride. Some want to inject files into your site that they can share with others without paying a fee. Some want to use your website popularity to gain exposure for their content.
The oddest hack I’ve ever seen was a website takeover that featured a photo of a butler and eerie music. There appeared to be no point to the hack, but I’m sure they also tried to gain access to the database and other secure information.
To make sure your site is secure, follow this protocol at least once a month :
Update any plugins or themes
Login to your WordPress Dashboard and identify any red notifications under “Updates”. Your website is only as secure as the plugins and themes you use. Developers update and secure these. You need to stay up to date with your security or you might find yourself hacked.
Update your PHP database
I know I’m going a little technical on you but many users don’t realize that there is an update and ignore this. Your site will eventually stop performing well and will eventually breakdown. To get the complete instructions on how to update your PHP database, visit this site: https://themeisle.com/blog/upgrade-wordpress-to-php-7/?amp
Download a full website and database backup.
I’m sure you know you should always backup your computer, but have you ever thought about backing up your site? This is a great practice to get into once a month. For instructions on how to do this, visit here: https://css-tricks.com/back-wordpress-database/
Doing these three steps once a month will go a long way in helping you prevent a hack on your WordPress website. Now, there are no guarantees that your website still won’t be hacked but there’s an added level of security that will deter hackers from claiming your site as their own.
If you have any questions or are confused by this technical talk feel free to reach out and book a consultation so that we can help you protect your website against hackers!
Lisa M Gale Digital Marketing helps service professional business owners improve their online presence and visibility to attract new clients. We develop systems and processes to improve digital marketing efforts and help entrepreneurs reach their business goals. Download your Digital Marketing Made Simple for free here >>
