It’s been quite some time since I’ve put together a longer podcast than my 2-7 minute mini episodes. The reason this one is longer is because it covers website security, particularly WordPress site security. I clean up a lot of sites every week because they’ve been hacked, and the biggest issue is that the website owner has little to no knowledge on how they can help prevent such things.
Aside from my tips in the podcast, I want to make sure that people remember that with WordPress, you need to keep the script up to date. Keeping your website up-to-date includes the WordPress core, the theme, and each of the plugins used.
This is not a developer type podcast. No third party tools or coding is mentioned in this podcast. This is for the general user to become more aware of how important WordPress security is even for the basic blogger. I want to emphasize two huge things:
- You SHOULD have a website security plan in place.
- If you have a security plan in place, make sure it’s configured right, especially if you’re using a plugin.
This podcast is about 20 minutes long. I’ve even left a challenge for influencers out there, a challenge that could help against the problem of website owners, especially WordPress site owners will be informed about the importance of WordPress security and even security in general. Below, you can either listen to the podcast, or run it in Youtube. I figured, I’d keep leaving more than one option to listen to the podcast.
NOTE: In the case you’ve come upon this podcast and you are currently hacked, you may need to either hire someone to audit and fix your hacked WordPress site, or if you need to do it yourself, start with how to secure your WordPress site.
Video on the 2014 Episode 2 Podcast
Blondish.net Podcast: 2014 Episode 2
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:57 — 25.1MB)
Hi Nile,
Loved this podcast on WorlPress Security. I’m always so worried about that because many of my friends have been hacked. So far so good for me (crossing fingers). I do have a strong password and do change it often.
Ithemes security sounds like a great solution with all sorts of stuff it an do with data base changes. Wordfence doesn’t do as much I see.
When you talk about installing plugins, I know many who do it themselves and have loads of problems. I do not. I rather have someone do it for me that knows what plug in works and what will cause problems. For me, it is better to pay to play.
Yes, this is a bit over my head, but you have made it so easy to understand. You have such a wonderful service Nile and you do stand behind your customers.
I listened to the entire podcast because I really needed to understand this “stuff!” I sure will spread this around to my peeps!
-Donna
Thanks Donna! I’ve actually written a nearly 1600 word post on How to Secure Your WordPress blog several years ago, and every so often, I find myself updating it from time to time. It’s been really important part of what I do because I don’t want my clients freaking out if them or their visitors have been hacked. Thank you for sharing my article too!
Thank you Nile!
I only wish the very first time that I installed WordPress, that someone, especially the instructor whose WordPress course I was taking, had specifically warned me and my classmates against using “Admin” as my username.
I had no idea how common that major mistake was!
Nor how incredibly vulnerable that major mistake left my site!
So thank you for informing us, especially the non techie type, such as myself, about how to protect ourselves online!
Nile, you are our awareness person with our sites, thank you so much!
I have learned the hard way to backup my site offsite. That is kinda confusing. Yet, my whole site is backed up every night. This is from experience and love how well it saves me time.
For security is simple. Yes, keep updated plug-ins and such. This should never be overlooked, as you make a point of it. I help people understand how easy it is. With WordPress, it makes it simple for anyone to take action. Nothing is 100% safe now a days.
That is why people like Nile, is very important. If you have been blogging for as long as myself. Having an expert is a must. Make sure you understand what they are doing so you can learn to do it yourself.
Thank you again Nile for keeping us updated and focused. Just a few minutes a day to manage our sites. Makes a heck of allot of difference. You make the support easier.