How to Perform a WordPress Security Audit in 9 Steps

Is your WordPress site as secure as it could be? Have you ever wondered if vulnerabilities are lurking in your site, just waiting to be exploited?

Imagine suddenly finding spammy links scattered across your site or receiving user complaints about unauthorized charges.

WordPress security is threatened by problems like these that may seem minor but can be signs of underlying issues.

TL;DR: Performing a WordPress security audit involves scanning for vulnerabilities, checking backups, updating software, and reviewing user accounts and permissions. MalCare’s scanner handles many of these tasks and simplifies the process.

If you have a WordPress site, you definitely want to keep it safe from hackers and their attacks. However, figuring out where to start can be overwhelming.

Performing a WordPress security audit can be the first step toward securing your site. It helps you identify and fix hidden vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. It also ensures your site runs smoothly and securely.

In this guide, we will simplify the WordPress security audit process for you. We’ll cover everything from running a comprehensive security scan to ensuring strong passwords and login security. Whether you’re a beginner blogger or a seasoned developer, these steps are tailored to help you safeguard your site effectively.

1. Run a security scan

The first step in any WordPress security audit is to run a scan. Use a dedicated security plugin like MalCare to do this. It thoroughly scans your site files and database to identify and remove any traces of malware.

While some recommend using online scanners, these tools often fall short. This is because online scanners either have very specific functionalities or they can’t dive deep into your site’s files and database as a dedicated security plugin would.

While there are several options available, choose your website scanner depending on your site’s requirements. If you ask us, we recommend MalCare.

MalCare brings all these features—and more—together in one package, offering a comprehensive scan that covers all your bases. It’s a powerful, all-in-one solution to ensure your website is free from threats and vulnerabilities right from the get-go.

2. Check your site software

Keep your site software updated to ensure site security. Start by updating the WordPress core, as well as all your plugins and themes. Developers regularly release updates to fix security vulnerabilities, so staying current is your first line of defense.

Next, take a close look at your installed software. Remove any plugins and themes that are unused, deactivated, or no longer maintained. Old and abandoned plugins and themes can become significant security risks, as they might contain vulnerabilities that won’t be patched. Cleaning them out reduces potential entry points for attackers and helps streamline your site’s performance.

MalCare’s vulnerability scanner helps this process by checking your site and informing you which plugins have discovered vulnerabilities.

3. Check all user accounts

Review all existing user accounts and remove any that are idle or inactive. Inactive accounts can be potential security risks if they are compromised without anyone noticing.

If your site doesn’t require users to register or open an account, disable the Anyone can register option under Settings > General. This will reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

Additionally, check the permissions assigned to each user account. Ensure that only authorized personnel have Administrator privileges. Grant the least amount of access required for each user to perform their tasks to mitigate the risk of an internal security breach.

4. Ensure strong passwords and login security

Create strong passwords for all site credentials. Use complex passwords that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid common or easily guessable passwords.

Encourage your site users to adopt similar strong password practices. Educate them on the importance of password security and how it protects their accounts as well as your site.

Implement additional login security measures, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA. These methods add extra layers of protection, making it significantly harder for unauthorized users to gain access.

Limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. By restricting the number of login attempts from a single IP address, you can reduce the risk of attackers guessing passwords through repeated trials. These combined efforts will significantly bolster your site’s defenses against unauthorized access.

5. Check website analytics

Regularly monitor your website analytics to obtain crucial insights into both your site traffic and its overall health. This can help you detect potential security issues early.

Watch for unexpected traffic spikes originating from new or unknown IP addresses or geographical locations. Such anomalies can be red flags indicating that your site is under attack, possibly from bots or hackers.

Conversely, if you notice a significant drop in traffic, it could be a sign that Google has blacklisted your website. This often happens when your site has been compromised by malware.

Both of these observations point to underlying problems that need immediate attention. Identifying them early enables you to take swift action to protect your site and restore its normal operation.

6. Review site permissions

Ensure that you have set safe file permissions, typically 644 for files and 755 for directories. Additionally, disable file editing directly from the WordPress dashboard by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Use your .htaccess file to block directory browsing and restrict access to sensitive directories and files. You should also disable PHP execution in directories where it’s not needed and block XML-RPC to prevent certain types of attacks.

Remember, before making any changes to core files like wp-config.php or .htaccess, always take a full backup of your site. This ensures that you can restore your site to its previous state if anything goes wrong.

7. Check your web host

Your hosting provider plays a vital role in your site’s security. They should offer robust security and monitoring features to keep your site protected.

Verify that your host provides essential security measures like an SSL certificate to encrypt data and DDoS protection to defend against traffic overload attacks. These features are crucial for mitigating common security threats.

Also, assess the responsiveness of their customer support. In case of a security issue, you’ll need quick and effective responses. A slow or unhelpful support team can frustrate you during critical moments.

If your current web host lacks any of these features or fails to provide adequate support, it’s time to switch to a reputable and reliable provider. Ensuring your hosting environment is secure is a foundational step in safeguarding your website.

8. Set up an activity log

An activity log is a simple yet powerful way to monitor your site. It tracks all the actions taken on your website, providing detailed information about who did what and when.

This tool can help you quickly identify suspicious activities, such as unauthorized login attempts or unexpected changes to your site’s content. By keeping a record of all actions, you can more easily trace and rectify potential security issues.

Not only does an activity log enhance your ability to detect and respond to threats, but it also helps in maintaining accountability among users. Knowing that actions are being logged can deter malicious behavior and promote a culture of security awareness.

9. Check your backup solution

Test your backups to confirm they work perfectly. You can do this by restoring your backups to a staging site and checking if everything looks okay. MalCare makes this process a breeze thanks to its backup and staging site features.

Additionally, your backups should cover both your site files and database to ensure full restoration in case of a disaster.

Check the intervals at which backups are created and stored. Regular backups mean less data loss if something goes wrong. Additionally, check your storage usage to ensure you have enough space to maintain several backup versions.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to set up a reliable backup solution. A comprehensive backup strategy is your safety net against data loss, enabling you to restore your site quickly and efficiently after any issue.

Why should you run a WordPress security audit?

Running a WordPress security audit is essential for several reasons:

When should you run a WordPress security audit?

Knowing the right times to conduct a WordPress security audit is crucial. Here are the key moments to consider:

One solution for it all: MalCare

MalCare is a comprehensive security solution that covers most of the features suggested in this guide. Here’s what it offers:

Final thoughts

Running a WordPress security audit might feel daunting, but it’s essential for keeping your website safe and secure. From scanning for vulnerabilities to ensuring strong passwords and login security, each step plays a crucial role in protecting your site from potential threats. Regularly updating your WordPress core, plugins, and themes, while also reviewing user accounts and permissions, helps maintain a secure environment for both you and your visitors.

MalCare simplifies this process with its robust malware scanning, one-click removal, and intelligent firewall. It also offers real-time backups, activity logs, and bot protection, making it a comprehensive solution for your security needs. So, take these steps seriously, use MalCare for an easier audit process, and make security audits a routine part of your website management.

FAQs

What is a WordPress security audit?

A WordPress security audit involves checking your website for vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and potential threats. It helps you identify and fix issues to protect your site from hackers and malware.

How to do an audit on WordPress?

To audit your WordPress site, start by running a comprehensive security scan to identify and remove vulnerabilities. Next, ensure that your WordPress core, plugins, and themes are up-to-date, and delete any unused or inactive ones. Review user accounts to remove idle ones and verify that only authorized users have administrative privileges. Strengthen your login security by using strong passwords, enabling 2FA, and limiting login attempts. Check website analytics for unusual traffic patterns, review file permissions, and ensure that your web host provides robust security features. Finally, set up activity logs to monitor all actions on your site and harden your website.

Is there an audit log in WordPress?

No, WordPress does not have an audit log by default. However, you can get an audit log on your site by using security plugins like MalCare or specific plugins like WP Activity Log, that are designed for this purpose.

How often should I run a security audit on my WordPress site?

You should run a security audit regularly. Key moments include after major updates, if you notice unusual activity, following a hack, before major events or product launches, and before adding new features. Even without specific triggers, monthly or quarterly audits are recommended.