How to Protect WordPress Files from Hackers? | Red Sun IT Services

2025-10-28 • RedSun IT Services

How to Protect WordPress Files: Comprehensive Guide

Protecting your WordPress files is critical for your website’s security. WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system, making it a prime target for hackers. If attackers tamper with key files, they can inject malware, steal sensitive data, or even take your site offline. In this guide, we’ll explain essential steps you need to take so that how to protect WordPress files is clear and actionable.

Why Protecting WordPress Files Matters

Your WordPress installation includes core system files, plugins, themes, and uploaded media. Each of these can contain code or data that hackers want to exploit. For example, the wp-config.php file is the “crown jewel” of your site because it holds your database credentials and secret keys. If this file is exposed, attackers gain full access to your database. Also, leaving the .htaccess file readable can reveal your security settings (RunCloud notes that exposing .htaccess is like showing hackers your security blueprint).runcloud.io

Common threats include:

• Unauthorized Access: Hackers may try to read or edit files like wp-config.php or .htaccess. If successful, they control your site.
• Malware Injection: Vulnerable plugins or themes can allow attackers to upload malicious scripts into your files and run them.
• Brute Force Attacks: Automated bots try thousands of passwords. If they break in, they can modify or replace your files.
• Information Leakage: Even non-sensitive files (like readme.html) can reveal version info or plugins you use, helping hackers find vulnerabilities.

These risks show why site owners must actively enforce file security. WordPress itself is secure by default, but you are responsible for configuring how to protect WordPress files (file permissions, backups, monitoring, etc.). The following steps will help you lock down your site.instawp.com

Keep Software and Passwords Up-to-Date

A basic step in learning how to protect WordPress files is to minimize vulnerabilities at their source. Always use the latest WordPress core, theme, and plugin versions. Outdated code is a common attack point. Enable automatic updates for minor releases, and apply major updates after testing. Also, use strong, unique passwords (and preferably two-factor authentication) for all accounts. As WPBeginner notes, most hacks exploit stolen passwords, so strong credentials are a must. Together, these practices prevent many hacks before they reach your files. wpbeginner.com

Set Strict File and Directory Permissions

File permissions determine who can read, write, or execute files on your server. Incorrect settings can leave your files wide open. For most WordPress installations, directories should be 755 and files 644. Crucially, the wp-config.php file should be even more restrictive (mode 400 or 440) so that only the owner can read it. Never set permissions to 777 on a live site, as that lets anyone modify your files.

Keeping strict permissions prevents unauthorized file changes. For instance, Kinsta’s documentation points out that the correct setup is 755 for folders and 644 for files. If your hosting setup allows, make wp-config.php unreadable by the public (440 or 400). In practice, use your hosting control panel or an SFTP client to apply these settings. Proper permissions limit what attackers or even other server users can do if they manage to breach one layer of your defenses. kinsta.com developer.wordpress.org

Secure the wp-config.php and Critical Files

The wp-config.php file contains your database username, password, and secret keys, so it must be locked down. Recommended practices include:

• Move wp-config.php above the web root: WordPress will automatically look for it one directory above the installation. Doing this makes it inaccessible via URL.

Lockdown with .htaccess: If you can’t move it, add a rule in your site’s main .htaccess like:

<Files wp-config.php>

Order allow,deny

Deny from all

</Files>

• This denies any web access to that file.
• Set strict permissions: As mentioned above, use 400/440 for wp-config.php so even server processes can’t write to it (only read as needed).
• Update security keys: Periodically regenerate your WordPress authentication salts (using the official generator) and replace them in wp-config.php. Fresh keys help invalidate old sessions and cookies in case of a breach.

RunCloud warns that if attackers get the wp-config.php, they can completely take over the site. These measures create multiple barriers: moving the file hides it, .htaccess blocks direct access, and permissions lock it down. Protecting wp-config.php (and other critical files) is a cornerstone of how to protect WordPress files.

Use .htaccess to Block Access

The Apache .htaccess file is a powerful defense tool on many WordPress servers. Proper rules in .htaccess can lock down entire parts of your site:

• Disable directory listing: Add Options -Indexes to prevent visitors from seeing a list of files if an index.php is missing.

Deny sensitive files: Besides wp-config.php (above), you can similarly block access to xmlrpc.php (if you don’t need it) by adding:

<Files xmlrpc.php>

Order allow,deny

Deny from all

</Files>

• Blocking XML-RPC can stop certain DDoS and brute force attacks.
• Prevent hotlinking: To stop other sites from using your images, add rewrite rules checking the HTTP_REFERER and forbidding external domains from fetching your media. runcloud.io
• Block risky extensions: Prevent web access to files that should never be publicly downloaded. For example, you can deny access to .log, .sql, and other sensitive file types via .htaccess.

Importantly, protect the .htaccess file itself by adding:

<Files wp-config.php>
Order allow,deny
Deny from all
</Files>

This prevents visitors from even being aware of your security rules. By using .htaccess properly, you create a chain of protection: critical files are denied to all, and even your denial rules are hidden. As one guide explains, this “creates a security loop,” making it very hard for attackers to work around.

Disable File Editing and Execution

WordPress’s built-in file editor (under Appearance » Theme Editor or Plugins » Plugin Editor) can be handy, but it’s dangerous. Disable it by adding to wp-config.php:

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

This one line stops administrators (or compromised admins) from editing plugin or theme files through the dashboard.

Also, prevent PHP execution in upload directories. For example, place an .htaccess file inside wp-content/uploads/ with:

<Files *.php>

Deny from all

</Files>

This stops any PHP file in the uploads folder from running. With these rules, even if malicious code is uploaded, it cannot execute. Disabling the editor and blocking uploads execution are key parts of how to protect WordPress files from easy exploits. wpbeginner.com

Install Security Plugins and Monitor Files

Even with manual hardening, a good security plugin acts as an extra guard. Plugins like Sucuri Security or Wordfence add file-integrity monitoring, malware scanning, and a web application firewall. They can alert you if core files, plugins, or themes are unexpectedly modified. For instance, a firewall will block known malicious traffic before it reaches your site. Use one of these reputable plugins and apply all its recommended hardening settings. A security plugin gives you peace of mind by continuously watching your files and content. onewebcare.com

Regular Backups

No security plan is complete without backups. If something does go wrong, you need a clean copy of your files and database to restore. Experts recommend performing full-site and database backups daily and storing them off-site. Use a reliable backup solution (like UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, or your host’s backup service) to save copies to cloud storage or a remote server. Test your backups occasionally to ensure they work. With current backups in place, you can recover quickly from any incident, whether it’s a hack or an accidental data loss. onewebcare.com wpbeginner.com

Conclusion

Learning how to protect WordPress files means implementing multiple layers of security. Summarizing the key points: always keep your software updated, use strong access controls, and enforce correct file permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files, with wp-config.php at 400/440). Harden your site by blocking sensitive files with .htaccess, disabling risky features like the theme/plugin editor and PHP execution in uploads, and using security plugins and backups.

Together, these measures make it extremely difficult for attackers to compromise your site. Remember that security is an ongoing process; regularly review your settings and stay informed about new threats. Above all, always consider how to protect WordPress files as a fundamental part of your site maintenance routine. Implementing the strategies above will help keep your content and users safe in the long run.

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