The Importance of Website Security (and How to Protect Your Site)

Keeping your WordPress website secure is essential. Your site is the gateway for families, athletes, and community members to connect with your organization. A compromised site can damage your reputation, interrupt registration, and create unnecessary expenses.

A Real Example

Recently, one of our Partners experienced a persistent security attack. Their website was injected with malicious code, causing slow performance and redirecting users to suspicious sites. To fix the problem, they had to hire an external security company to scan, clean, and monitor their site—a costly and stressful process that could have been avoided with proactive security measures.

This story highlights why it’s critical to protect your site before an attack occurs.

How We Help Keep Your Site Secure

• We make daily backups of your site, so it can be restored if something goes wrong.
• Our team can, upon request, install and configure the Defender Pro plugin at no additional cost to you.
• We ensure your site is built on secure, stable hosting.

Tips for Keeping Your Website Secure

1. Keep WordPress Plugins and Themes Updated
   • Outdated software is the #1 entry point for hackers.
   • When updating, do not close the browser window until the update is complete, as this can cause errors.
2. Use Strong Passwords and User Roles
   • Require complex passwords for admins.
   • Limit admin access only to people who truly need it.
3. Limit Login Attempts
   • Prevent brute-force attacks by restricting repeated login attempts.
4. Use a Security Plugin (Defender Pro)
   • Available free for Partners upon request.

Defender Pro Overview

When installed, Defender Pro includes:

• Firewall Protection – Blocks malicious IPs and suspicious activity.
• Malware Scans – Runs scans and alerts you of vulnerabilities.
• Login Security – Two-factor authentication, reCAPTCHA, and login attempt limits.
• Audit Logs – Tracks changes on your site.
• Automated Notifications – Sends alerts if a threat is detected.

Best Practices with Defender Pro

• Enable weekly malware scans.
• Turn on brute force protection.
• Use two-factor authentication for admin accounts.
• Set up notifications to be alerted quickly of issues.

Final Thoughts

Website attacks happen every day, but with daily backups, regular updates, and Defender Pro, your site can stay safe.

If you’d like us to install and configure Defender Pro on your site, please book a 1-on-1 support session.