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Protect Your WordPress Blog From Hackers With These Four Security Tips

By Expert Author: Nick Dalton | View Article Summary
Word Count: 482 words | Views: 80 view(s)
Nick Dalton

Recently online forums have been flooded with tales of WordPress blogs being hacked and then banned by Google for spreading badware. To avoid these nightmares, follow the simple WordPress security tips in this article to keep your blog safe.

Stay current with the latest secure version

The latest WordPress version, 2.3.3, is the most secure and effective version you can get right now. All software contains bugs and security vulnerabilities. Having the latest version of a product reduces potential issues.

Other things to watch are plugins and themes as they have full access to WordPress. Starting with the version 2.3 of WordPress, you can find out if the installed plugins has a newer version from admin screen.

Disable and remove themes and plugins that you are not using

The majority of users that create web logs will look at alternative design styles before deciding on one. Similarly, they will try several additional pieces of software that they decide against using, but do not remove.

Each installed theme and plugin is a potential security hole. Keeping unused themes and plugins up-to-date is a waste of time. Instead, deactivate all plugins that you don't need or use. Remove the files for unused themes and plugins from the server.

The last step of actually removing the files from the server is very important. Almost all themes and plugins are installed in well known directory locations. An attacker can use that well known URL to exploit a vulnerability even if you're not using that theme/plugin.

Never download and install codes that aren't from a trusted source

An analogy can be made between mail from an unknown party and software added to your system. If you are going to install it, make sure the code has been tested and has the authors' blessing.

Wordpress, themes, and plugins are released as Open Source. Open Source allows anyone to modify the code, even if they have malicious intent. Any person with malicious intent can put up badware for downloading to unsuspecting web surfers.

Don't be the guinea pig for the latest plugins. Take a cautious approach and wait until you see a plugin being used by many other trusted bloggers.

Avoid any JavaScript includes

Web analysis services and ad networks require the addition of JavaScript to blog pages. JavaScript code is allowed to do almost anything with your web page without your permission. In Essence, you are trusting the security of your website to this unknown, third-party service

With regard to Google AdSense, Google Analytics, or other respected advertising networks and web analytics services, you shouldn't be concerned. However, if a relatively new firm asks to put JavaScript on your web site, you should quickly run the other way.

Ad networks also pose another problem if you don't have control over who is allowed to advertise on your network. Google applies the guilt by association principle: If you are advertising for a site that has badware on it, your site may be blacklisted too.
About the Author/Author Bio

Read more articles about WordPress security on Nick Dalton's blog at http://www.TipsTricksToolsTechniques.com . Don't miss his The Digital Security Report - it's required reading for all information product publishers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Protect-Your-WordPress-Blog-From-Hackers-With-These-Four-Security-Tips/126598

Article Submitted: 2008-02-23 | This Article has been viewed 80 times.

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