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Website Security Checklist: 15 Must-Have Protections for 2026

Hackers are getting smarter. Protect your website with this comprehensive security checklist.

WPAgency.xyz · 8 min read

Website Security Checklist: 15 Must-Have Protections for 2026

30,000 websites are hacked daily. Don’t be one of them.

The Threat Landscape

Common Attack Types

  • Brute force: Automated password guessing
  • SQL injection: Database manipulation
  • XSS: Malicious script injection
  • Malware: Infected files
  • DDoS: Traffic overwhelming

Who Gets Targeted

Everyone. Small sites are easy targets. Large sites are valuable targets. No one is safe by obscurity.

The Essential 15

1. SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

Why: Encrypts data between user and server

How:

  • Get free SSL from Let’s Encrypt
  • Or use hosting provider’s SSL
  • Force HTTPS redirect

Check: Look for padlock in browser

2. Strong Passwords

Why: Weak passwords are the #1 vulnerability

Requirements:

  • 12+ characters minimum
  • Mix of letters, numbers, symbols
  • Unique for each account
  • Use a password manager

3. Two-Factor Authentication

Why: Password alone isn’t enough

Options:

  • Authenticator apps (best)
  • SMS codes (acceptable)
  • Hardware keys (most secure)

Implement on:

  • Admin accounts
  • Hosting accounts
  • Domain registrar
  • Email accounts

4. Regular Updates

Why: Updates patch security vulnerabilities

Update:

  • CMS core
  • Themes and templates
  • Dependencies
  • Server software
  • Runtime versions

Frequency: Weekly checks, immediate for security patches

5. Secure Hosting

Why: Your host is your first line of defense

Look for:

  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)
  • Malware scanning
  • DDoS protection
  • Regular backups
  • Server-level security

6. Regular Backups

Why: Recovery option if everything else fails

Requirements:

  • Daily backups minimum
  • Off-site storage
  • Test restoration regularly
  • Keep multiple versions

7. Limit Login Attempts

Why: Stops brute force attacks

Implementation:

  • Lock out after 5 failed attempts
  • Increase lockout duration with repeats
  • Notify admin of lockouts

8. Change Default Settings

Why: Attackers know defaults

Change:

  • Admin username (not “admin”)
  • Database prefix
  • Login URL (if possible)
  • Default ports

9. File Permissions

Why: Wrong permissions = easy access

Correct settings:

  • Folders: 755
  • Files: 644
  • Configuration files: 600

10. Security Headers

Why: Browser-level protection

Essential headers:

X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff
X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN
X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block
Content-Security-Policy: [your policy]
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000

11. Database Security

Why: Your data is the target

Measures:

  • Change default prefix
  • Limit database user permissions
  • Regular optimization
  • Encrypted connections

12. Remove Unused Components

Why: Every component is an attack surface

Remove:

  • Inactive extensions
  • Unused themes
  • Test installations
  • Old user accounts

13. Security Monitoring

Why: Detect breaches early

Monitor:

  • File changes
  • Login attempts
  • Malware scans
  • Uptime

Tools:

  • Sucuri
  • Cloudflare
  • Platform-specific monitoring

14. Web Application Firewall

Why: Blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your site

Options:

  • Cloudflare (free tier available)
  • Sucuri
  • Host-provided WAF

15. Security Audit

Why: Find vulnerabilities before attackers do

Frequency: Quarterly minimum

Include:

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Penetration testing
  • Code review
  • Configuration audit

Platform-Specific Security

Every platform has unique security considerations:

Key Principles

  • Use platform-recommended security measures
  • Keep all dependencies updated
  • Enable built-in security features
  • Consider a Web Application Firewall
  • Work with hosting providers that prioritize security

Incident Response Plan

If You’re Hacked

  1. Don’t panic
  2. Take site offline (maintenance mode)
  3. Change all passwords
  4. Scan for malware
  5. Restore from clean backup
  6. Update everything
  7. Review and harden
  8. Monitor closely

Documentation to Have Ready

  • Hosting login credentials
  • Domain registrar access
  • Backup locations
  • Security plugin settings
  • Contact for security help

Monthly Security Checklist

  • Run malware scan
  • Check for updates
  • Review user accounts
  • Check backup integrity
  • Review security logs
  • Test login security
  • Verify SSL status

The Investment Perspective

Cost of security measures: $100-500/year

Cost of a hack:

  • Cleanup: $500-5,000
  • Lost revenue: Varies
  • Reputation damage: Priceless
  • Legal liability: Potentially massive

Security is cheap insurance.

Need a security audit? Contact us for a comprehensive review.