You might not think about it often, but site security is huge when it comes to WordPress. Just like the real world can be a dangerous place, so can the internet! Malware, hackers, spam, and more are looking for places they can sneak in – and wreak havoc. Luckily, I know some of the best WordPress plugins for security, plus a few key things to keep in mind so your site stays secure.

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What is Site Security Important?

Before I dive into plugins for WordPress security, I want to briefly explain why site security is so important. First of all, you are putting a ton of money and effort into your site, so why not protect it?

Also, malware can be more than just a little annoyance. Malware can actually steal sensitive information, reroute your webpage, cause site instability, and even pass malware and viruses to site visitors. Big yikes. Not only would that be awful, but it can completely destroy the trust people have in your business.

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your site’s visitors:

#1 Clean Out Your Plugins

I mention this is my mid-year website clean-up blog, but you want to get rid of plugins periodically that you are no longer using. These might be plugins that don’t serve you anymore, are out of date, or that you have duplicates of. Plugins can create gaps in your site security, so cleaning out plugins is an important measure to take.

If you are one of my Worry-Free Maintenance Clients, I will take care of this for you, along with site backups, spam protection, and more to keep your site in tip-top shape. If you want a quick site audit to ensure things are in working order, you can inquire here.

#2 Keep Plugins Updated

Like I said, outdated plugins can leave gaps in your site security. I recommend checking in on your website daily or weekly to ensure all your plugins are running smoothly. Start by running a site backup using a plugin like UpDraft Plus* or BackUpBuddy* (these are some of the best WordPress plugins for security).

Then, install the plugin WordPress Rollback for an extra layer of protection. Lastly, update your existing plugins! Go one-by-one and select update on the plugins that need it. After everything is updated, check your website to make sure it’s looking good and everything is functioning as it should.

Of course, my Worry-Free Maintenance Clients don’t have to stress about this. I’m always on top of those updates 😎

#3 Secure Your Site

Okay, let’s talk about the best WordPress plugins for security! With my Worry-Free Maintenance Clients, I love using iThemes Security Pro*. It’s simple to use, and it’s done a great job at keeping my clients’ websites protected.

Another great plugin for WordPress security is Akismet and Antispam Bee. These are both plugins that keep spam comments off your website without the use of captchas. Plus, they are free! It’s a win-win.

If you are looking for more site security tips or other information on managing your WordPress site, grab the WordPress Jumpstart Guide. This guide contains step-by-step instructions for the most common WordPress questions, including navigating the dashboard, adding new pages, and fixing small issues.

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