Defending yourself against potential WordPress hackers is easier than you might expect. The overwhelming popularity of WordPress makes it a very common target for a lot of potential miscreants. From rookie hackers to sophisticated code distributors, knowing how to protect yourself from day one can save you headaches down the road.

WordPress is very secure, but hackers are always looking for something users unintentionally left unchecked. Take a look below for the basic security settings you can apply when using WordPress.

Password Security

It may sound like a no-brainer, but your password can make a huge difference in the overall security of your site. User passwords are the most common entry point to any site on the internet. Whether it’s your WordPress site or email account, you need to safeguard your password at all times. If all of your passwords are linked together, losing one that’s vital such as the one for your email opens the door for would-be hackers. Using a password manager such as LastPass eliminates the need to type in your password. It’s easy to use and can also generate a strong password for you.

Back it Up

Setting up an automatic backup is the second most important thing you need to do. By backing everything up on a regular basis, you are able to give yourself a bit of extra protection from hackers. Even the most secure of websites are at risk of being attacked. People lose millions of dollars’ worth of data every year because of file corruption. Backing up your files doesn’t just save you a lot of hassle, but it can also save you a lot of money. Businesses on WordPress need to be especially vigilant about their site’s backup.

While the two above-mentioned steps only touch upon security basics, they are a great start toward keeping WordPress safe and secure from hackers.