In 2025, cybersecurity is essential. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites worldwide, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. Most breaches happen not because hackers are exceptionally skilled, but because websites lack protection.
At Custom Virtual Solutions, we help businesses like yours protect their online presence with proactive WordPress management. Let’s explore ten effective ways to secure your site this year.
1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even strong passwords can be compromised. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an important layer of security by requiring a second verification step, usually a code sent to your mobile device or generated through an app like Google Authenticator.
Why it matters:
Even if hackers steal your login details, they can’t access your account without that second code.
Pro Tip:
Use plugins like WP 2FA or Wordfence Login Security to make it easy for all users.
2. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall acts like a virtual security guard, filtering and monitoring traffic before it reaches your website. It can automatically block harmful requests, SQL injections, and brute-force attempts.
Why it matters:
A WAF can stop attacks in real time, even before they reach your server.
Pro Tip:
Consider services like Sucuri Firewall or Cloudflare Pro, both offering reliable performance and security integration.
3. Keep Everything Updated
Outdated software is one of the primary causes of WordPress hacks. Hackers constantly look for known weaknesses in old versions of WordPress core files, plugins, and themes.
Why it matters:
Updates fix security flaws that attackers actively exploit.
Pro Tip:
Turn on automatic updates for minor versions and schedule monthly manual reviews for major updates to prevent compatibility issues.
4. Choose Reputable Hosting
Not all hosting providers are the same. Cheap hosting may mean shared servers with poor isolation, outdated PHP versions, and weak firewalls.
Why it matters:
Your host is the foundation of your website’s security. If it’s weak, everything else is too
Pro Tip:
Go for managed WordPress hosting (like Kinsta, WP Engine, or SiteGround). These services include built-in malware scanning, automatic backups, and better DDoS protection.
5. Limit Login Attempts
By default, WordPress allows unlimited login attempts, which is a major security risk. Attackers can use brute-force tools to guess your password repeatedly until they succeed.
Why it matters:
Limiting login attempts keeps malicious users out before they can gain access.
Pro Tip:
Install the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin to block suspicious IPs after repeated failed logins.
6. Skipping Mobile Optimization
With over half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, poor mobile performance drives visitors away.
Why it matters:
Backups are your safety net against ransomware, hacking, or accidental deletion.
Pro Tip:
Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault for automatic daily backups stored in secure cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
7. Install SSL Certificates
SSL encrypts the data exchanged between your site and its visitors. This prevents sensitive information, such as passwords or payment details, from being intercepted.
Why it matters:
Besides security, Google ranks HTTPS sites higher in search results.
Pro Tip:
Use Let’s Encrypt for free SSL or opt for premium certificates for e-commerce sites that handle financial transactions.
8. Scan for Malware Weekly
Malware can hide in theme files, plugins, or even your database without showing any symptoms. Regular scanning ensures you catch issues early before they grow serious.
Why it matters:
The sooner you detect a threat, the less damage it can cause.
Pro Tip:
Run weekly scans using Wordfence or Sucuri Scanner, and enable real-time alerts for suspicious activity.
9. Review User Roles and Permissions
Every person with access to your WordPress site should only have the permissions they need, nothing more. Many breaches happen when users with too many privileges accidentally expose vulnerabilities.
Why it matters:
Limiting permissions reduces the risk of accidental changes or harmful actions. If a contributor’s account gets hacked, the damage is limited to what their role allows.
Pro Tip:
Regularly check your users under Users → All Users in your WordPress dashboard. Remove inactive accounts and ensure each person has the lowest role necessary for their tasks.
10. Disable XML-RPC (Unless Necessary)
XML-RPC lets external applications interact with WordPress, for example, mobile apps or Jetpack. Unfortunately, it’s also a common attack point for brute-force and DDoS attacks.
Why it matters:
If you don’t use features that need XML-RPC, turning it off can eliminate a major vulnerability.
Pro Tip:
Use a plugin like Disable XML-RPC or add the following code to your htaccess.
Cybersecurity in 2025 focuses on vigilance, automation, and proactive defense. WordPress is powerful, but its flexibility also brings responsibility. By using these ten strategies, you can greatly lower the chances of breaches and downtime.
At Custom Virtual Solutions, we maintain, monitor, and secure WordPress sites for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need a one-time security audit or ongoing protection, we are here to help keep your digital presence safe.
Stay secure. Stay proactive. Stay online.
