WordPress Websites: Key Measures for Data Protection

Internet users today are keen on the security of their digital data and this concern extends to when they visit WordPress-based websites as well. From giant conglomerates to the smallest publishers, website owners are concerned with data protection with legal and ethical responsibilities. So, if you have an online presence, you need to prioritize security. And case-in-point, if WordPress is the CMS for your business, you just need to prioritize security.
While overall, WordPress is a secure CMS, but because it’s open-source, it suffers from various critical vulnerabilities. Online privacy differs from its conventional counterpart as individuals are concerned about the data use. As a result, some seek total anonymity, while others simply like to operate online with their details stored securely.
Though thankfully, achieving security with WordPress is simple when you take the right steps. This, in turn, poses a question for companies running such websites: how can you protect your users’ data? There are plenty of ways to do that; listed below are some of the key means to achieve high-quality data security.
1. SSL log-in: What the secure sockets layer does is simply switch on a digital lock and HTTPS protocol, to be precise, to ensure a safe connection between the server and the browser. In case your hosting service provider does not already offer SSL security, we recommend that you go ahead and buy an SSL certificate on your own.
2. Updated plug-ins: One of the most basic measures against security risks for a WordPress website is a security plug-in which can help companies keep an eye on and document all log-in attempts to help identify any threats. However, the job does not end at just using such plug-ins; companies must also seek to ensure that all plug-ins used on the WordPress website are always up-to-date to ensure they can operate and protect the website as expected.
3. Two-factor authentication: A rather popular protocol used for securing data, two-factor authentication is a supplementary measure for users who want to access a given WordPress website. This method fortifies the security layer by demanding a unique code that is sent to either users’ email ids or phones. By the way, such codes can only be used once.
4. Server’s data security: Depending on the nature of data involved, with whom lies the responsibility of ensuring data security can vary. Nonetheless, it is a company’s job to keep track of all the data within its possession sourced via the WordPress website. In this case, if the data is stored in the website’s server, then the company running said website is directly responsible for protecting the data. This can be done through the same measures a company would implement to safeguard the website from general risks such as hacks, leaks, etc.
5. Monitor user-generated content: WordPress websites are a treasure-trove of user-generated content which is yet another aspect companies must closely monitor. If you are simply using WordPress-based functionalities such as trackbacks, comments, etc., one must still keep an eye on the content. Remember that any data, including e-mail ids, names, etc. collected via such a website must be governed by appropriate data protection regulations. It may also be a good idea to ensure such content is guided by a relevant terms and conditions policy.
WordPress remains among the leading names in the world of content management systems because of the plethora of advanced features and functionalities with which it comes loaded, including those for ace-level security. Yet, it is imperative that companies that use WordPress also use their measures to safeguard their users as well as their data gathered. The measures listed above are some of the many, many ways in which companies can achieve the requisite levels of security on their WordPress website. However, to fully leverage the security potential of these methods, we highly recommend engaging the services of a reliable WordPress development company. Their expertise will lend valuable assistance to ensure the success of your endeavors to protect users of your WordPress website.