6 Ways to Secure Your WordPress Site with wp-config.php

Worried about your WordPress site getting hacked?

Wondering if your site is truly secure from all kinds of threats?

Looking for ways to secure your WordPress site further?

You’re not alone!

WordPress security has kept many site owners awake at night. And one of the best ways to secure your site, and your sleep, is by using the wp-config.php file. 

TL;DR: The wp-config.php file is key to strengthening your WordPress site’s security. Disable file editing, enforce SSL, and take similar steps to protect your site from hackers. For even better protection, use MalCare for automated security and malware scanning.

The wp-config.php file contains key settings for your WordPress site. That’s why understanding and using it effectively can make a world of difference. By editing the wp-config.php file and making a few adjustments to it, you can greatly improve your site’s security. 

In this guide, you’ll learn simple yet effective ways to use wp-config.php to boost your site’s security. We’ll cover everything from basic configurations to advanced techniques, offering tips that are easy to follow, even if you’re not a tech expert. Whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience with WordPress, these practical steps will help you make your site safer.

Before you begin…

WordPress stock downloads do not include the wp-config.php file by default. This file is created during the installation process. This is important, especially for users who want to remove malware from sites by downloading a clean version of WordPress files to replace hacked or corrupted ones.

More importantly, take a backup of your site before you start editing the wp-config.php file. We recommend that you use a backup plugin that takes full site backups, which include both your database and all your files. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong during the editing process.

Trying to clean a hacked site by downloading fresh WordPress files can be long and difficult. Moreover, you might lose any custom changes you’ve made. Instead, you can use MalCare.

MalCare can find and remove even the toughest malware, making sure your site is clean and safe. It also has a real-time backup feature, which automatically backs up your site. This means you won’t have to worry about losing any data while you make changes to the wp-config.php file.

1. Disable file editing

One important step to secure your WordPress site is to disable file editing from the WordPress dashboard.

By default, WordPress allows you to edit plugins and themes directly from the dashboard. While this can be convenient, it poses a big security risk. If hackers gain access to your WordPress dashboard, they can easily edit these files and add harmful code. This could lead to various problems.

Disabling file editing stops hackers from making these changes. It helps prevent site defacement, data theft, and many other such problems even if hackers get access to your dashboard.

To disable file editing, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

2. Enforce SSL

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the data transferred between your site and its visitors. This makes it much harder for hackers to intercept and steal information.

Most web hosts provide SSL certificates by default. If your host doesn’t, you can get an SSL certificate and install it on your site. Once installed, it’s essential to force all connections to use this SSL certificate.

To enforce SSL, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

Additionally, you’ll need to edit your .htaccess file to ensure all traffic is redirected to HTTPS.

3. Limit login attempts

Hackers often try to break into WordPress sites using brute-force attacks. They employ bots to repeatedly guess different username-password combinations until they find the correct one. Limiting login attempts can help prevent brute-force attacks by blocking repeated login attempts from a single IP address.

To limit incorrect login attempts to a maximum of 5, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('LIMIT_LOGIN_ATTEMPTS', 5);

However, you are much better off using a comprehensive security solution like MalCare to secure your WordPress site. MalCare’s bot protection automatically blocks brute force attacks and other threats. This provides an additional layer of protection by preventing unauthorized access attempts from reaching your WordPress site.

4. Add a content security policy

A content security policy (CSP) is a powerful security feature that helps prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. It does this by controlling which resources (such as scripts, styles, and images) a browser is allowed to load. This is why we recommend you implement a CSP to provide an extra layer of protection against malicious code injections.

CSP has several parameters that can be set based on your specific requirements. For most users, the following basic CSP will be sufficient to enhance your site’s security:

<IfModule mod_headers.c>
Header set Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; img-src 'self' data:; font-src 'self' data:;"
</IfModule>

This basic CSP configuration allows resources to be loaded only from your own domain and permits inline scripts and styles. This helps reduce the risk of XSS attacks while still enabling your site to function correctly.

5. Set proper file permissions

Setting the proper file permissions is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of your WordPress site. File permissions that are too permissive can lead to unauthorized access and modifications. Unauthorized users can potentially access sensitive files or make changes that could harm your site.

This is particularly important for the wp-config.php file, as it contains vital configuration settings for your WordPress site.

To set the WordPress-recommended file permissions, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('FS_CHMOD_DIR', 0755);
define('FS_CHMOD_FILE', 0644);

6. Enable WordPress automatic updates

Keeping your WordPress site up-to-date is essential for security. One way to ensure your site stays secure is by enabling automatic updates, ensuring that it always contains the latest security patches.

Automatic WordPress security updates can be enabled by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', true);

Important to consider

While automatic updates aim to secure your WordPress site, they come with their own set of pros and cons. They might cause plugins or themes to fail if they’re incompatible with the latest WordPress core update. This can lead to site issues or even downtime, creating more problems than they solve. This is why we recommend the following best practices:

7. Force SFTP access

Uploading files or adding plugins and themes to your WordPress site often requires using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). However, using plain FTP can expose your data to potential interception during transfer. Switching to SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) ensures your data is encrypted, and only authorized users with proper credentials can access your site’s files.

To force SFTP access, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('FS_METHOD', ‘ftpext’);

This is the most basic setting, but several other options exist to customize your FTP access.

Misguided wp-config.php tweaks and better alternatives

There are many misconceptions around wp-config.php file security. Some suggest steps like changing the database prefix and moving the wp-config.php file to another location.

The idea is that the database prefix (`wp_`) and the default location of the wp-config.php file are common to all WordPress sites, making them predictable targets for hackers. However, these methods rely on security through obscurity and have significant drawbacks.

For example, hackers can use automated tools to easily find custom database prefixes. Changing the database prefix can also cause issues or even crash your site if not done carefully. Similarly, moving the wp-config.php file to another location can lead to functionality problems.

Instead of relying on these risky measures, it’s more effective to use a dedicated security plugin.

We recommend MalCare as it performs in-depth scanning of both files and databases, so you don’t need to change the database prefix or move the wp-config.php file. Additionally, MalCare offers comprehensive security features, including firewall protection, vulnerability detection, and real-time backups.

By combining MalCare with security best practices like enforcing SSL, limiting login attempts, and keeping your software updated, you can achieve a much higher level of security for your site. This approach not only protects your wp-config.php file but also enhances the overall security of your WordPress installation.

Precautions to take when editing the wp-config.php file

Editing the wp-config.php file can help prevent WordPress security issues, but it requires careful handling. Here are some key precautions to keep in mind:

Final thoughts

The wp-config.php file can be a great tool in your WordPress site’s security regimen. This powerful configuration file can help protect your site from various threats. By taking steps like the ones mentioned in this article, you can maintain a safe online presence for you and your visitors.

However, editing the wp-config.php file alone is not enough to keep your site safe and secure. Consider using a tool like MalCare for additional security. MalCare offers firewall protection, malware scanning, and several other security features, keeping your site safe from hacks.

FAQs

What is the wp-config.php file?

The wp-config.php file is a crucial configuration file for WordPress. It contains important settings, such as database connection details, and various other configuration options for your WordPress site.

What should I do before editing the wp-config.php file?

Before editing the wp-config.php file, always take a full-site backup. This ensures you can restore your site to its previous state if something goes wrong. Additionally, make sure to check for syntax errors, perform changes one by one, and validate each change.

Why should I enforce SSL on my WordPress site?

Enforcing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the data transferred between your site and its visitors. This added layer of security helps protect sensitive information from being intercepted by hackers.