Security WordPress Theme: How to Keep Your Site Safe While Looking Good

Themes go beyond appearance and also affect your WordPress site’s security and its functioning. A vulnerable theme can act as a gateway for hackers to access your site. If your theme has weak spots, it opens the door to cyber threats that can disrupt or even damage your site.

So what if you don’t use any themes? Will that reduce the chances of your website getting hacked?

Unlike plugins, you cannot avoid themes on your WordPress site. You need at least one theme for your site to work. Using a well-designed security WordPress theme can help minimize these risks and keep your site safe.

In this article, we will guide you in choosing a secure WordPress theme and maintaining it. We will also show you other methods to secure your site further.

TL;DR: WordPress theme security is just one way to protect your site from hackers who exploit theme vulnerabilities. Choose regularly updated themes that come from reputable sources, and have good reviews. Combine that with a security plugin like MalCare to enhance protection for a safer website experience.

How does a WordPress theme affect your site security?

One big reason WordPress sites face attacks is because of various vulnerabilities in their software. These weak spots are often found in the code that makes up your website.

Since your theme is a significant part of your site’s software, its code holds a big role in overall security. If the theme’s code is poorly written or includes potentially harmful code, it can expose your site to threats. So, your theme must be well-crafted and secure.

Sometimes, themes come with third-party plugins or scripts. They bring additional functionality without you having to install anything more than the theme itself. All of this sounds convenient, but there’s a catch. If these plugins or scripts have vulnerabilities, they can turn into backdoors for hackers and your whole site can suffer.

This is why choosing a secure theme and keeping it up-to-date is so important. Theme developers release patches to fix any security issues that might pop up. By keeping your themes regularly updated, you can protect your site from potential threats and keep it running safely.

How to apply/update your WordPress theme?

So you have got a swanky new and secure WordPress theme and want to take it out for a spin on your site. Applying a new theme or updating your existing one can seem simple, but it comes with risks.

Your theme is like the face of your WordPress site. This is why you should take precautions to change or update your site’s theme safely. Otherwise, unwanted changes or disruptions to how your site functions can leave you with a disfigured site. Sometimes, it might even break your site altogether.

Using the WordPress dashboard

The easiest and quickest way to apply a theme or update it is using the WordPress dashboard.

If you want to get a new theme for your site and apply it:

1. Go to Appearance > Themes

2. Click on Add New Theme

3. Use Search Themes to find a theme or select one to your liking from the listed ones

4. Click Install to install your chosen theme

5. Click Activate to apply it to your live site

If you want a premium theme, or you already have one, things work a little differently. To get a premium theme, you must download it straight from the theme developer or from a marketplace like ThemeForest, Envato, etc. Once downloaded, you have to manually upload it to your site. You can do this by going to Add New Theme > Upload Theme. Once uploaded, install the theme and then activate it.

If your existing theme has an update available, WordPress will show a notification right on the dashboard. To update the theme, all you need to do is:

1. Go to Dashboard > Updates

2. Select the theme you want to update

3. Click on Update Themes

The process to update premium themes is similar to how you installed them. You need to download the update and repeat the steps as earlier to install it.

Note that these methods can sometimes break your site if the theme or its updates clash with your WordPress core or other plugins. This is why we recommend that you backup your site before adding or updating your themes. If there are any issues, these backups will help you recover your site to a previous state easily and quickly.

Using a staging site

Using a staging site to add a theme or update one is the safest approach. A staging site is a copy of your site where you can test changes without affecting the live site. You can use it to check if your theme changes break anything on your site. Once you are sure of your changes, you can merge your staging site with your live site. This saves you from having to deal with site issues after a theme change.

Web hosting providers usually offer staging environments. Check if your web host does this too and make full use of it. If your web host does not provide this functionality, we recommend you use MalCare to create a staging site in just a few clicks.

Here’s a simple guide on how to do this:

1. Sign up on MalCare and add your site to the dashboard

2. Once your site completes syncing, go to the Site Overview page

3. Click on Add Staging

4. By default, it will select the most recent backup and the current PHP version on your site. You can change these values if you want to. Click on Continue

5. Once the staging site is created, you will receive the username and password for it. Use it to login to your staging site’s wp-admin and make all the changes you want

The staging sites are automatically deleted after 28 days. You can also choose to delete it once you are done testing. The good news is that these staging sites do not use any of your site’s server resources as they are created on MalCare servers.

MalCare actually simplifies this entire process with its Sandbox Updates feature. First, it creates a staging site for you and applies the theme or its update. It then performs visual regression tests to identify even the smallest of changes to your site. Finally, it gives you a clear report of all site changes. Based on these results, you can choose to apply the update or ignore it.

If you want to add a new theme or your theme is from an external source, MalCare’s Sandbox Installation helps with that too. It uses the same checks as the Sandbox Updates to ensure everything runs smoothly.

What makes a WordPress theme secure?

Now that you know how a WordPress theme affects the security of your site, here are some factors that make a theme secure enough to use:

What to look for in a secure WordPress theme?

Choosing a secure WordPress theme involves checking a few key factors like:

Where to get secure WordPress themes?

Finding a secure WordPress theme starts with knowing where to look. The WordPress theme repository is the best place to begin. Themes here undergo strict checks before they make it to the repository. This process helps ensure they meet high security and quality standards.

Most themes in the WordPress repository are free, yet some offer paid upgrades. These upgrades can provide extra features while still being a secure choice.

If you don’t find what you need in the WordPress repository, consider external options. Sites like ThemeForest, Template Monster, and Envato offer a wide range of themes. These themes are usually paid and tailored for specific uses. For example, you might find themes designed specifically for photography websites or cybersecurity sites.

When choosing from these external sites, ensure the theme fits your specific needs, and always check reviews and ratings for security.

Important: Do not use nulled themes on your site. They are loaded with backdoors that hackers can exploit to get into your site. Moreover, these themes do not get any security patches as the original developers do not maintain them. So, do not expose your site’s security just to save a few bucks!

How to improve your WordPress website’s security?

Having a secure WordPress theme is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly boost your site’s security, you need a comprehensive approach.

Start by updating your themes and plugins regularly. It’s essential, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you do. Here are more steps you can take:

1. The best step you can take is to install a security plugin. We recommend MalCare for its powerful features. It offers a robust malware scanner and cleaner, a smart firewall, and effective vulnerability detection.

2. Make sure everyone with access to your site uses strong, unique passwords.

3. Add additional layers of security like two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA. MalCare provides easy-to-setup options for both.

4. Update your WordPress salts and security keys regularly. It makes it harder for hackers to access your site.

5. Secure your site with an SSL certificate. It encrypts data and builds trust with your visitors.

6. Regularly check your site for vulnerabilities and address them promptly.

7. Choose a reputed web host known for its security features and reliable service. A good host can prevent many common attacks.

Final thoughts

Selecting and maintaining a secure theme is one of the foundational ways to secure your WordPress site. A theme that follows best coding practices, stays updated, and remains compatible with your WordPress version significantly reduces potential vulnerabilities. However, this is just the beginning of a comprehensive security strategy.

To bolster your site’s defenses, use a reliable security plugin like MalCare. Its features, like malware scanning, smart firewall, and vulnerability detection, help keep your site protected. Coupled with regular updates, strong passwords, and login security measures, a good security plugin forms a vital part of your website’s overall security approach.

FAQs

Are all WordPress themes safe?

No. Not all WordPress themes are safe. While many themes, especially those in the WordPress theme repository, undergo strict checks, some may still contain vulnerabilities. Themes from unofficial or less reputable sources might lack updates or contain poorly written code, which can lead to security issues. Always verify the source, check for regular updates, reviews, and follow best practices when choosing a theme to ensure your site’s safety.

How do I secure my WordPress theme?

To secure your WordPress theme, start by choosing one from a reputable source, like the WordPress theme repository or trusted external sites. Regularly update your theme to ensure any vulnerabilities are patched. Install a reliable security plugin like MalCare to provide additional protection through malware scanning and firewalls. Conduct thorough testing on a staging site before applying any changes to your live site, and keep your WordPress version and plugins updated to maintain overall site security.

How do I know if my WordPress theme is safe?

To determine if your WordPress theme is safe, start by checking if it has a credible origin, like the official WordPress theme repository or well-known marketplaces such as ThemeForest. Look for regular updates from the developer, which indicate active maintenance and security patching. Read through user reviews and ratings for any reports of security issues. Ensure the theme follows WordPress coding standards and is compatible with the latest WordPress version. Finally, use a security plugin to scan your theme for vulnerabilities, helping you catch any potential threats early.

Do WordPress themes expire?

No. WordPress themes don’t “expire” like food or a subscription, but they can become outdated. An outdated theme might not receive updates, which can lead to compatibility issues with the latest WordPress version and plugins. It can also pose security risks if vulnerabilities are not patched. To keep your site secure and functioning well, ensure your theme is regularly updated and is still supported by the developer. If updates stop, it might be time to consider switching to a new, actively maintained theme.

Is it safe to use a nulled WordPress theme?

No. Using a nulled WordPress theme is not safe. Nulled themes are pirated copies of premium themes, and they often contain hidden malware or malicious code. These can compromise your site’s security, leading to data breaches or hacking. Additionally, nulled themes don’t receive official updates or support, leaving your site vulnerable to new security threats. For a secure and reliable website, always use themes from legitimate sources with proper licensing.