The Ultimate WordPress Security Checklist 2026: 10 Steps to Bulletproof Your Site

Did you know that according to recent cyber-security statistics, a cyber attack happens every 39 seconds? WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, making it the most popular website builder in the world. Unfortunately, this popularity also makes it the #1 target for hackers.

A hacked website isn’t just an inconvenience; it destroys your SEO rankings, leaks customer data, and can ruin your brand’s reputation overnight.

The good news? Most hacks aren’t caused by genius coders; they are caused by automated bots looking for simple vulnerabilities. By following this 2026 WordPress Security Checklist, you can lock 99% of attackers out of your digital property.

1. Stop Using “Admin” as Your Username

In the early days of WordPress, the default username was “admin.” Hackers know this. If you are still using “admin” as your username, you have already given hackers 50% of your login credentials.

• Action Step: Create a new user with “Administrator” privileges using a unique name. Log in with the new user and delete the old “admin” account.

2. Enforce Strong Passwords

It sounds obvious, but “Password123” is still shockingly common. In 2026, brute-force attacks use AI to guess passwords faster than ever.

• Action Step: Use a password generator to create a string of random characters, symbols, and numbers (e.g., Tr$9#LmP2!q). If you can remember your password, it’s probably not strong enough.

3. Install a Reputable Security Plugin

Think of a security plugin as a security guard for your website. It monitors traffic, blocks suspicious IP addresses, and scans for malware files.

• Recommendation: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri are excellent choices. Even the free versions offer robust firewalls that block common attacks.

4. Limit Login Attempts

By default, WordPress allows users to guess passwords infinitely. This allows “brute force” bots to try millions of combinations until they break in.

• Action Step: Use a plugin like “Limit Login Attempts Reloaded.” Set it to lock out a user after 3 failed attempts. This simple step stops brute-force bots dead in their tracks.

5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

You use 2FA for your bank; you should use it for your business website. With 2FA, even if a hacker steals your password, they cannot log in without the code sent to your mobile device.

• Action Step: Install a 2FA plugin like Google Authenticator or WP 2FA.

6. Keep Everything Updated (Yes, Everything)

Outdated software is the biggest backdoor for hackers. When WordPress, themes, or plugins release an update, it is often to patch a security hole.

• Action Step:

  • Update WordPress Core immediately upon release.

  • Update your Plugins and Themes weekly.

  • Pro Tip: Delete any plugins or themes you are not using. If it’s sitting on your server inactive, it can still be hacked.

7. Disable File Editing

WordPress has a built-in feature that allows you to edit PHP files directly from the dashboard. While convenient, if a hacker gets into your dashboard, they can use this to inject malware code instantly.

• Action Step: You can disable this by adding a simple line of code to your wp-config.php file (access this via your hosting File Manager): define( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true );

8. Install an SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

An SSL certificate encrypts the data moving between your user’s browser and your website server. Without it, Google will mark your site as “Not Secure,” which scares away visitors and hurts your SEO.

• Action Step: Most modern hosts, including Bluechipspace, offer free SSL certificates (Let’s Encrypt) with their hosting plans. Ensure yours is active.

9. Automate Your Backups

Security is about prevention, but it is also about recovery. If the worst happens, a clean backup is your “Undo” button.

• Action Step: Do not rely solely on your host’s backups. Install a plugin like UpdraftPlus to send a backup of your site to Google Drive or Dropbox every week.

10. Choose Secure Hosting

You can have the best locks on your door, but if the foundation of your house is weak, you aren’t safe. Shared hosting environments that are poorly managed can allow one hacked site to infect others on the same server.

• Action Step: Choose a hosting provider that prioritizes security at the server level. Bluechipspace offers isolated hosting environments, meaning your neighbors on the server cannot affect your security.

Summary

Website security isn’t a “set it and forget it” task; it is an ongoing habit. By implementing these 10 steps, you are making your WordPress site a hard target.

Hackers look for easy prey. Don’t be one of them.