WordPress is a viral platform these days (around 8.5% of all the world’s websites are powered by WordPress!). As it is Open Source, everybody has access to its Source Code and can experiment with new cracking/hacking methods easily.

WordPress has become one of the most preferred exploitation destinations for hackers across the globe. While WordPress has been continuously releasing new versions that loop up security holes, its popularity as a blogging platform has always prompted hackers to come up with new measures to hack information, interrupt service, and redirect traffic for other purposes. At CPWebHosting – a secured WordPress hosting provider, the security is perfect, and all the preventive measures are taken to make your website stay away from hackers.

Although there are several ways in which WordPress issues can be tightened, only a few users follow them, which makes the platform even more vulnerable. The open-source nature of WordPress means a lot of damage can also be done through vulnerable WordPress themes and plugins or through automated exploits, which can destroy your website and reputation. These are the top WordPress issues and vulnerabilities that hackers are exploiting. Having acquired the latest security tools at CPWebHosting – a cheap hosting provider, you can quickly develop or create a website with complete high security so that hackers don’t exploit your security.

CPWebHosting – A secured hosting provider gives some tips on WordPress Security:

1. Insecure Plugins and Themes: WordPress offers many free plugins and themes that enhance the functionality of your website with minimum costs. However, you must know they may contain vulnerabilities or hidden malicious code that can compromise your website.

2. Don’t use the ‘admin’ username: Anybody who tries to get into your WordPress admin section will try using ‘admin’ as a username. A potential hacker must hack your username and password if you change it. If you are running an older version of WordPress (which I do not recommend), you can change the admin username directly in the database.

3. Strong Web Password: Many WordPress issues can be avoided with good habits, and a strong password is one of them. A good password protects your site from brute attack and acts as a security gateway for your site. If a hacker can access your administrator account, reinstall scripts that can damage your whole server. Do not use predictable and weak passwords.

4. Databases Access via a Root Account: All WordPress content and web files are stored in one database. If you use multiple web applications, each application will have its database. Your WordPress root account provides complete access to all your databases saved on the same web server or under the same web hosting account. If hackers discover your root account credentials, they can access all your databases. Therefore, creating dedicated accounts to access each database rather than using your root account is highly recommended.

5. Move your wp-config.php file: In your wp-config.php file, database connection info and other data should be kept from anybody to access. From WordPress 2.6, you can quickly move this file from the root folder location. To do this, move your wp-config.php file up one directory from your WordPress root. WordPress will automatically look for your Config file if it can’t find it in your root directory. This way, nobody except a user with FTP or SSH access to your server will be unable to read this file.

6. Database permissions: A web application can access and modify specific database parts. If database permissions are not tightened down, a malicious user can exploit such licenses and change the database content and structure. Hacking attacks not only make cyber criminals rich and satisfied, but they also affect your site’s search engine rankings. A site infected by spam is ranked low and gets highlighted, adversely affecting its reputation and business potential.