Návod: Ako zvýšiť bezpečnosť WordPress webu v roku 2024

Common threats and their implications

• Malware: Malicious software that infects websites to steal sensitive data, inject malicious code, or spread to users.
• Brute Force Attacks: Automated attempts to guess login credentials. Successful brute force attacks often result in unauthorized access.
• SQL Injections: Exploiting vulnerabilities in web forms or URLs to execute arbitrary SQL queries on the database.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Inserting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially leading to session hijacking.
• DDoS Attacks: Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a site with traffic, causing downtime and loss of service.

Keeping WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated

One of the most effective ways to secure a WordPress site is by keeping WordPress itself, along with themes and plugins, up-to-date. Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

• Automatic updates: WordPress supports automatic updates for minor releases, but developers should configure auto-updates for plugins and themes as well. For core updates, it’s best to manually review major changes to avoid compatibility issues, but security patches should be prioritized.
• Vulnerability patching: Frequently, developers release security patches in response to discovered vulnerabilities. Ensure updates are applied quickly, ideally within 24-48 hours after they are released.

Implementing strong passwords and MFA

One of the most common attack vectors is weak passwords. Enforce the use of strong passwords through plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security, and encourage users to employ password managers.

• Password policies: Define minimum password length, require a mix of characters, and force periodic password changes.
• Multi-Factor authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security, MFA requires users to verify their identity via a second device or application (e.g., Google Authenticator). Plugins like Two Factor Authentication by Plugin Contributors make it easy to implement MFA on WordPress login pages.

Choosing secure themes and plugins

Themes and plugins significantly enhance WordPress functionality, but they also introduce risks. Poorly coded or outdated plugins are a common entry point for hackers.

• Reputable sources: Only download plugins and themes from the official WordPress repository, or well-known marketplaces like ThemeForest or CodeCanyon. These platforms review submissions for basic security flaws.
• License and support: Choose plugins that are actively supported and updated. Abandoned plugins should be replaced as they become security liabilities.
• Avoid nulled plugins: Never use pirated or “nulled” versions of premium themes and plugins. They often contain hidden malware.

Auditing and monitoring plugins

• Security audits: Regularly audit plugins for vulnerabilities using tools like WPScan or Sucuri. These tools scan your website for known vulnerabilities in plugins, themes, and core files.
• Deactivation and deletion: Unused plugins should be deactivated and removed, as even deactivated plugins can be exploited.

Securing wp-config.php and database credentials

The wp-config.php file contains sensitive information, including database credentials and secret keys, making it a prime target for attackers.

• Move wp-config.php: WordPress allows the wp-config.php file to be moved to a non-public directory, which prevents web access.
• Set secure file permissions: Ensure that the wp-config.php file is readable by WordPress but not by unauthorized users.
• Database credentials: Use strong, unique database usernames and passwords. Avoid using the default wp_ table prefix as it is widely known and frequently targeted in SQL injection attacks.

Preventing database attacks

• SQL injection prevention: Use security plugins like Wordfence or write custom code to sanitize inputs and prevent SQL injections. Ensure queries use parameterized queries to avoid the risk of injections.

  $stmt = $pdo->prepare("SELECT * FROM wp_users WHERE user_login = :login");
  $stmt->execute(['login' => $user_login]);

• Regular backups: In case of a database breach or accidental data loss, backups are critical. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to schedule automated backups, and store backups offsite (e.g., AWS S3, Google Drive).

Securing the hosting environment

Your WordPress security measures are only as strong as your hosting environment. Hosting providers play a crucial role in securing your website.

• Secure server configurations: Choose a reputable hosting provider that offers security features such as:
  • Regular server-side malware scanning and removal.
  • Secure SSH and SFTP access.
  • Server-side caching and resource isolation for shared hosting environments.
• HTTPS and SSL certificates: HTTPS encrypts the data transferred between your website and users. Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. Ensure SSL is enforced across your site by configuring the wp-config.php or .htaccess file to redirect all traffic to HTTPS.

Web Application Firewalls (WAF) and Server-level security

• Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF blocks malicious requests before they reach your server. Services like Cloudflare and Sucuri offer WAF solutions tailored for WordPress.
• Security headers: Add security headers such as Content Security Policy (CSP) and X-Content-Type-Options to prevent XSS attacks and enforce best security practices. You can do this by modifying the .htaccess or nginx.conf file.

Additional hardening techniques

Beyond core security configurations, there are various hardening techniques that can add layers of protection.

• Limit login attempts: Prevent brute force attacks by limiting the number of failed login attempts. The Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin can block an IP after a set number of failed attempts.
• Hide WordPress version number: WordPress includes its version number in the header and meta tags, which can expose your site to known vulnerabilities. To hide the version, add the following line to your theme's functions.php:

  remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');

• Disable file editing: Prevent attackers from editing files through the WordPress admin by disabling the file editor in wp-config.php:

  define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

IP whitelisting and blocking malicious IPs

Restrict admin access to trusted IPs using .htaccess or a firewall. Additionally, use services like Cloudflare to block known malicious IP addresses.

• IP whitelisting: Modify the .htaccess file to restrict access to the /wp-admin/ directory:

  <Limit GET POST>
    order deny,allow
    deny from all
    allow from 192.168.1.1
  </Limit>

  
  Replace 192.168.1.1 with the IP addresses that should have access. You can also block known malicious IPs or IP ranges to further protect your site.

Setting up security monitoring and alerts

• Log monitoring: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri offer detailed logging and real-time monitoring of your WordPress site. Regularly reviewing these logs for unusual activity can help you detect threats before they cause damage.
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Integrating an IDS into your hosting environment, such as OSSEC or Tripwire, can help detect unauthorized access attempts at the server level.

Incident response plan and recovery

• Isolation and containment: If a breach occurs, the first step is to isolate the affected site. Disable access to the site and prevent further damage by shutting down the server or temporarily blocking traffic through your WAF.
• Restore from backups: If your site has been compromised, the next step is to restore from a clean backup. Use a backup that predates the breach, ensuring that any malicious code is removed. Ensure that backups are stored offsite and that they include the database, theme, and plugins.
• Patch vulnerabilities: After restoring from a backup, identify and patch the vulnerability that led to the breach. This might involve updating plugins or themes, fixing code vulnerabilities, or strengthening server security.
• Change all passwords: After a breach, change all passwords associated with your WordPress site, including admin accounts, FTP, database, and hosting accounts. Encourage users and collaborators to also update their passwords, especially if they have admin access.
• Review and strengthen security: Post-breach, conduct a thorough security review. Implement additional measures such as two-factor authentication, IP whitelisting, and more stringent firewall rules to prevent future incidents.

Conducting manual and automated security audits

• Plugin and theme audits: Regularly review the themes and plugins installed on your WordPress site. Ensure they are still actively maintained and updated. If any plugins are no longer supported or maintained, find alternatives.
• File integrity checks: Use security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to conduct file integrity checks. These plugins scan core WordPress files, themes, and plugins for unauthorized modifications, helping you identify any malicious code that may have been inserted.
• Hosting environment audits: Work with your hosting provider to conduct server security audits. Ensure that your hosting environment is running the latest security patches and that firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures are properly configured.
• Regular penetration testing: Penetration testing involves simulating an attack on your WordPress site to identify vulnerabilities. Consider hiring security professionals to conduct penetration tests and provide recommendations for hardening your site.