How to Protect Your WordPress Website from Hackers

(Free and Paid Plugins + Best Practices)

Your WordPress website is a valuable asset. Whether you run a blog, an e-commerce store, or a business site, the threat of hackers and malicious attacks is real. Fortunately, with the right combination of security best practices, smart configuration, and effective plugins, you can significantly reduce your risk of being compromised. In this guide we’ll walk you through how to protect your WordPress website from hackers — and highlight both free and paid plugin options to strengthen your site’s defense.

Why WordPress Sites Are Targets

WordPress powers a large share of the web, making it an obvious target for hackers. (jetpack.com) Some of the most common reasons WordPress sites are attacked:

Weak login credentials (easy‐guessed usernames, simple passwords)
Out‐of‐date themes, plugins or WordPress core software with vulnerabilities. (WordPress Developer Resources)
Plugin or theme code with security flaws. (WordPress.org)
Lack of basic hardening: e.g., no firewall, no two-factor authentication (2FA), no secure hosting. (SentinelOne)
Automated bots scanning thousands of sites for weaknesses (login pages, default user names, etc.). (Kinsta®)

Understanding these risks is the first step to protecting your site.

Core Best Practices: Before You Install Plugins

Even the best security plugin cannot fully protect a site if the fundamentals are neglected. Below are key best practices to implement.

1. Keep WordPress Core, Themes & Plugins Updated

One of the easiest yet most important things you can do is keep everything updated. Updates often include security patches to fix vulnerabilities. (WP Engine)
Ensure you update:

WordPress core
All themes (especially third-party ones)
All plugins
Any site customizations, especially if they modify core files

2. Use Strong Passwords and Unique Usernames

Never leave default usernames like “admin” and never use easy passwords. A strong password is long, uses a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. (NordLayer)
If you have multiple user accounts on your site, ensure each has an appropriate role and secure credentials.

3. Limit and Harden Login Access

Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for administrator accounts. (SentinelOne)
Limit login attempts to prevent brute force attacks. (WP Engine)
Consider changing the default login URL (e.g., from /wp-login.php) so bots and attackers don’t target the default location. (Kinsta®)

4. Select a Secure Hosting Provider

Your hosting setup is the first line of defence. A quality managed WordPress host will provide robust infrastructure, firewalls, regular backups, and server‐level protections. (NordLayer)
If the host doesn’t take security seriously, your plugins and efforts may not be enough.

5. Use HTTPS (SSL) and Secure Your Site’s Files

Running your site over HTTPS is essential: it encrypts data in transit and makes your site credible. (Kinsta®)
You should also consider hardening files like wp-config.php, disabling file editing from the dashboard, tightening file permissions, and hiding your WordPress version. (Kinsta®)

6. Remove Unused Themes/Plugins and Minimize Plugin Bloat

Unused and outdated themes/plugins are often entry points for attackers. Delete anything not in active use. (Latenode Official Community)
Also keep your plugin count manageable — fewer plugins means fewer potential vulnerabilities.

Free WordPress Security Plugins That Work

Once your site is configured with the basics above, it’s wise to install a security plugin. Here are some excellent free options to consider:

• Wordfence Security

One of the most widely used free WordPress security plugins. It offers an endpoint firewall, malware scanning, live traffic monitoring, login security including 2FA. (WordPress.org)
Even the free version offers robust protection; you can extend to “Premium” for more features.

• All In One WP Security & Firewall

A free, beginner-friendly plugin that provides a dashboard showing security strength, user account protections, login lockdowns, firewall rules, database security. (cmsminds.com)
Great for those who want strong protection without too much complexity.

• Shield Security

A lesser-known option but well regarded for a complete free offering. One commenter noted:

“This is probably the best/most complete free security plugin for WordPress.” (WordPress.org)

Because these plugins have active free versions, you do not necessarily need to invest money today, you can begin with strong free protections.

Premium / Paid WordPress Security Plugins or Upgrades

For business sites, high-traffic sites, or those storing sensitive user data, stepping up to paid security solutions can be worth it. Below are some premium features you might consider, and paid plugin options.

Paid Features You Might Want

Real-time firewall updates and threat feeds
Automated malware removal / cleaning service
Priority support and hands-on help
Uptime monitoring, performance scanning
Geo-blocking or IP blocking of hostile regions
Advanced login hardening, enterprise 2FA, Single Sign-On (SSO)
Site-wide management of multiple installations

Premium Plugin Options

The free All In One WP Security & Firewall offers a “Premium” upgrade with additional features such as malware scanning, country blocking, advanced 2FA. (WordPress.org)
Wordfence Premium adds real-time firewall rules, premium support, and other deeper protections.
Many other security vendors (e.g., Sucuri Security) offer paid plans covering malware scanning, web application firewall (WAF), and monitoring. (WP Engine)

If your site is mission-critical (e.g., e-commerce, membership, business lead-generation) then investing in a paid security plugin can be justified by the risk mitigation alone.

Putting It All Together: A Practical Security Workflow

Here’s a sample workflow for protecting your WordPress site from hackers — from the ground up.

Choose a secure hosting provider, ensure your site runs over HTTPS/SSL.
Install latest WordPress version, delete unused themes/plugins, and audit user accounts.
Use strong passwords & unique usernames, enable 2FA on all high-privilege accounts.
Install one of the strong free security plugins (e.g., Wordfence or All In One WP Security & Firewall).
Configure the plugin: enable firewall, login protection, scan schedule, file integrity monitoring.
Regularly monitor your site’s security dashboard, set automatic plugin/theme updates if possible.
Back up your website regularly (to off-site storage) so that you can recover if something goes wrong.
If your site demands higher security (transactional, sensitive data), upgrade to a premium security plugin or service.
Periodically review your site: remove old user accounts, delete old content, scan for vulnerabilities, and stay informed about WordPress security news.
In the event of a hack, you should have a recovery plan: restore from backup, change credentials, audit what was compromised.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Hacks — and How to Avoid Them

Even with good intentions, sites can still be at risk. Here are common traps and how you can steer clear.

Mistake: Using Default “admin” Username

Many sites leave the username “admin” or “administrator”. That makes brute-force attacks easier. To avoid it: create a new admin user with a unique name, migrate content, then delete the old “admin” user. (jetpack.com)

Mistake: Ignoring Plugin/Theme Updates

One of the biggest risks comes when themes/plugins sit unpatched. Hackers watch for vulnerabilities in widely-used components. (Kinsta®)
To avoid: enable auto-updates where possible; check your dashboard regularly.

Mistake: Installing Too Many Low-Quality Plugins

Every plugin you install is a potential vulnerability. If it’s poorly coded, rarely updated, or has low reviews, it introduces risk. Delete unused plugins, evaluate each one carefully. (WordPress.org)

Mistake: Weak Passwords or Shared Credentials

A compromised credential gives hackers immediate access. Ensure each person uses a unique strong password and enable 2FA. (WP Engine)

Mistake: Not Backing Up Your Site

If a hack succeeds, you’ll need to restore quickly. Without backups you can lose data, time, and reputation. Build backups into your workflow.

How to Choose the Right Security Plugin

With so many options, how do you pick? Here are some selection criteria:

Is the plugin regularly updated, and is the developer active? (Active communities signal better security.)
Does it have a good track-record (large install numbers, positive reviews)?
For example, Wordfence has millions of installs. (ServerAvatar |)
Does it provide essential features (firewall, malware scan, login protection) in its free version?
Is the UI user-friendly (especially if you’re not a security expert)?
Does the premium version offer value if you upgrade?
Does the plugin integrate cleanly with your hosting environment? Some hosts “manage” security too; ensure compatibility.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your WordPress website from hackers is not about a single magic fix — it’s about layering good practices, maintaining vigilance, and using the right tools. By adhering to core best practices (updates, strong credentials, secure hosting), and by adding a reliable security plugin (free to start, paid if you require higher assurance), you can dramatically reduce your site’s risk exposure.

Remember: even the best security plugin cannot compensate for neglecting fundamentals. But combine the basics + strong plugin protection + regular monitoring and you’ll be in a much stronger position.