Ict/Telecom
6 Steps to Ensure WordPress Security
As a WordPress site owner, you are constantly checking for new and updated security practices to ensure maximum safety for your site and its customers. After all, WordPress is no stranger to security vulnerabilities popping up now and then, thus compromising your business. However, there is a significant role played by users of the platform not following the best security practices approved by experts in the field. If you are looking for WordPress malware removal, follow this guide – https://www.getastra.com/blog/911/wordpress-hacked/
Here are a couple of strategies you can follow to enhance WordPress security.
- Secure your hosting platform
Your host needs to follow certain approved security practices from its side to ensure that your site isn’t placed in any compromising situations. Along with this, it is ideal that you possess enough technical knowledge to understand and make informed decisions regarding ramping up of security.
Server hardening is the key to maintaining rigid security levels. Here, multiple layers of hardware and software security measures are required to improve the IT infrastructure handling the WordPress site and allow it to defend against all kinds of threats. This means the latest operating system (OS) and security software that’s tested for malware and scanned for vulnerabilities.
We’re also looking at efficient firewall systems, systems that can detect intrusions, and software that is strong enough to protect the site even when WordPress is being installed or constructed. Always make sure that all such software and the hosting platform itself is compatible with the latest database management systems for maximum security and performance.
The right levels of configuration for the system will be based on secure networking and file transfer encryption protocol (SFTP instead of FTP) to barricade sensitive content from prying eyes.
- Username and Password
This is a repetitive instruction, and yet, frequently violated despite being one of the simplest and most effective ways to strengthen your WordPress site security. Complexity is your friend and the hacker’s enemy. Google has facilities like ‘Strong Password Generator’ that can be used for this purpose, although there is some criticism regarding its security against brute force attacks.
An important provision for using – and remembering – such complex login credentials is storing them in secure channels i.e, password managers. You can either store them online or in a locally encrypted database on the computer. Also, create a unique WordPress username after deleting the default ‘admin’ user (if this exists) – do this by adding a new user under ‘Users’ in the dashboard and then provide it the ‘Administrator’ credentials. Remember to choose ‘attribute all content to’ when deleting the default user and choose your new user for changing the author of the posts on the site.
- Keep updating
WordPress security hardening is synonymous with updates – be it WordPress or the extensions such as themes and plugins used. Updates always include important security fixes, enhancements, and bug fixes, making it necessary. 55.9% of hacking attempts generate from backdoors established in outdated versions or extensions.
Only install trusted plugins, especially those under ‘trusted’ and ‘featured’ categories; you can also download it directly from WordPress’ official repository. Make it a point to limit the nulled WordPress plugins and themes installed on your site as well.
- Lock down the WordPress admin access
There is the contrast of being widely available for your customers while being as obscure as possible in terms of admin access. This also makes it difficult for them to find backdoors for entry. Two ways of doing this is limiting login attempts and changing the default wp-admin login URL. There are free plugins that allow you to take both of these measures such as lockout durations, IP blacklisting or whitelisting, login attempts, etc. Keep a tap of your Google webmaster security tab for any issues too.
Add basic HTTP authentication – you can lockdown your admin using this method as well. Using this on membership or ecommerce sites might not be optimal, but it is a good measure against bots targeting the site.
If you’re using a cPanel host, you can also enable the password-protected directories from the control panel manually.
- Utilize the 2-factor authentication process
To cover for the risk of being discovered in terms of login credentials, we have the 2-factor authentication process which could be as a one-time password (OTP), SMS, or captcha.
- Use HTTPS for encrypted connections – SSL certification
Installing an SSL certificate and running your site on HTTPS is another simple way to ensure basic security at very little costs and maximum benefits. It allows your browser or web application to securely connect with another website and is useful regardless of whether you accept credit card information. Beyond added security, you also get improved SEO rankings from search engines like Google, and can bypass security warnings from Google Chrome, building trust and credibility with your visitors.
These are a few steps with which you can improve security of your WordPress site – for more efficient methods and minimal effort from your side, check out Astra Security!
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has remarked that space, science and technology will be crucial to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Nnaji said this during his maiden visit and facility tour of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja, recently.
The Minister said the space agency had strategic roles in harnessing space, science and technology for national development and technological advancement.
According to him, the giant strides achieved by the space agency resonates both in the country and in the diaspora, and positioned the country as a key player in space exploration and research.
“The present administration of Renewed Hope for Nigerians will undoubtedly enhance the activities of the agency’s contribution to food security, security of lives, property, wealth creation and provision of employment”, he said.
He further stated that his visit to the space agency was to ensure he got information that would be critical in decision-making towards the attainment of his set objectives.
The Minister commended the leadership of the agency for successes recorded, proactive efforts towards sourcing alternative funding through commercialisation of research products and public private partnerships.
The Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Halilu Shaba, appreciated the minister, and added that the visit is a testament to the importance placed on the strategic role of science, innovation and technology in shaping the future.
Shaba acknowledged the minister’s visionary leadership style.
He, however, assured that the agency would consistently strive to push the boundaries of space exploration and satellite technology for the betterment of the nation.
The Chief Executive Of- ficer of Cybervergent, Mr. Adetokunbo Omotosho, has called for more homegrown solutions to solve cybersecurity challenges in the country.
Omotosho said this in an interview with The Tide’s source in Lagos, recently.
He noted that bringing foreign digital cybersecurity solutions to solve challenges peculiar to Nigeria could be cumbersome and might go through a lot of processes before adaptation.
According to him, Nigeria needed solutions that are developed locally either for cybercrime or physical crime that can be paid for in naira.
He said when cybersecurity solutions are too expensive, only few people would be able to afford them.
“Cybervergent has developed indigenous solutions that is helping the security architecture of Nigeria. Our own solutions are basically compatible with our needs, which do not necessarily require bringing foreign solutions to solve our cybersecurity challenges”, he said.
Also, Omotosho noted that it was essential to establish partnerships between government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to promote innovation and the development of indigenous cybersecurity technologies.
He further urged the government to provide support, funding, and incentives to cybersecurity startups working on innovative cybersecurity solutions.
The expert recalled that these startups could play a significant role in creating homegrown technologies.
The Tide’s source gathered that Cybervergent is a technology company providing cybersecurity solutions for large scale and effective solutions.
The company also handles cybersecurity compliance solutions, security, risk and privacy programmes and data security.
The Country Lead and ‘Blue Economy Has Nexus With Digital Economy’
Programme Adviser, Global Digital Access Programme, UK Government, Mr. Idongesit Udoh, has revealed that the Nigeria blue economy’s future has a close relationship with the blue and digital economy development of the country.
Udoh said this at the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) with the theme: “The Convergence: Maritime Meets Information and Communication Technology (ICT)”, in Lagos over the week.
Udoh urged the Federal Govemment on strategic investment in innovations that would bring about the sustainability of the blue economy.
He noted that both joined together was actually the future that would help the country realise the potential of the Blue Economy.
Udoh spoke on the topic: “ICT Disruption for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy”.
According to him, the investment in innovations will bring about the resilience and efficiency of the blue economy and every other positive things to come.
“ICT is an enabler and there are a lot of areas using ICT to aid growth in the blue economy for transportation, tourism and others.
“There is surveillance using Artificial Intelligence, internet of things, cyber security, documentation and storage cloud computing”, he said.
He noted that the creation of a Ministry dedicated to Marine and Blue Economy was a step in the right direction.
“The challenges seen in the sector such as infrastructure, capacity building, finance, funding, is clear that these challenges must be cleared to drive the adoption that is needed”, he said.
He said to aid technology adoption, there was the need for capacity building, exposing key policy makers on possibilities within the ICT sector and how to shore up infrastructure capacity to actually accommodate the level of ICT adoption that was needed.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, noted that the lack of port community system in Nigeria had made the nation’s ports the most inefficient port in Africa.
Bello-Koko, represented by the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Mr. Charles Okaga, said a review with ports in Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo was done and this showed a drastic drop-in dwell time of cargo from 21 to three days.
“This was achieved because they have a functional port community system. For the success of the system, it also require the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to ensure consistent power supply in the port”, he said.
Earlier, the Founder, African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE), Mrs. Ezinne Azunna, noted that the aim of the conference was to help stakeholders find ICT solutions that would drive safer, swifter, more secure and cost effective operations and innovations.
“AMAE uses photograph, textile art, paint, sculpture and other motifs/subjects to tell stories and support caused around the blue economy.
“It remains the singular exhibition in Africa built around the portraiture of the blue economy and its causes, using aesthetic and semiotic elements”, she said.