7 Essential .htaccess Tips for Your WordPress Site

Securing your WordPress website is crucial in today’s online landscape, where malicious attacks and data breaches are increasingly common. One of the most effective ways to bolster your site’s security is by utilizing the .htaccess file. This tiny configuration file has a big impact when it comes to protecting your site. In this article, we’ll explore 7 essential .htaccess tips for securing your WordPress site. These tips will help safeguard your site from unauthorized access and improve security.

What is a .htaccess File?

The. htaccess file is a powerful configuration file used by Apache web servers to regulate different elements of website behavior on a directory-by-directory basis. It is used to manage a website’s security settings, URL redirections, and access limits. Understanding the. htaccess file is essential for website administrators, particularly those who use systems such as WordPress, as it can be used to improve security, optimize performance, and specify custom settings.

Here are some useful tips to secure your WordPress site.

1. Disable Directory Listing

Directory listings can reveal vital information about your website’s structure. Add the following line to your. htaccess file to stop unauthorized users from accessing your directories:

Options – Indexes

This command blocks directory listings, making it more difficult for attackers to collect information about your website’s files and folders.

2. Protect wp-config.php

The wp-config.php file is one of the most crucial files on your WordPress site. It contains the connection data to your database; clearly, no one should read that file! To restrict access to it, simply add the following code to your. htaccess file:

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

This prevents anyone from gaining access through the browser.

3. Prevent XML-RPC Exploits

XML-RPC can be exploited for a variety of attacks, including DDoS and brute force. Add the following code to your.htaccess file to prevent XML-RPC access:

# Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests <Files xmlrpc.php> Order Deny, Allow Deny from all </Files>

If XML-RPC is required for specific functionalities, consider using a plugin to better control its access.

4. Secure Your WordPress Plugin Files

Plugins provide incredible functionality to your website. However, they can make your website open to attacks. These can provide unauthorized people with direct access to your website and endanger its security. However, to provide great capabilities to your site, it is not a good idea to quit using them. You can add the following code to prevent anyone from having direct access to your plugin files:

<files ~ “.(js|css)$”=”".(js|css)$"”>order allow, denyallow from all</files>

5. Block Authorship Scans in WordPress

This is a common brute-force attack technique to perform authorship scans on a WordPress site. It is used to crack passwords for known usernames. You can prevent these attacks by blocking authorship scans. By adding the following codes to your .htaccess file, you can keep the author ID secret and protect your site from brute-force attacks.

# BEGIN block author scansRewriteEngine OnRewriteBase /RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (author=\d+) [NC]RewriteRule .* – [F]# END block author scans

6. Disable PHP Execution in WordPress Directories

Sometimes hackers break into a WordPress site. The secondary files are hidden in the /wp-includes/ or /wp-content/uploads/ folders. To avoid this, you should increase the security of your site by disabling PHP files. You can use this code to disable PHP execution:

<Files *.php>deny from all</Files>

7. Add Password Protection to Your Directories

You can use the .htaccess file to add additional password protection to your WordPress directory.

• Create a .htpasswd file using the htpasswd generator.
• Upload the .htpasswd file to your WordPress wp-admin folder.
• Create a .htaccess file and upload it to your wp-admin directory.
• Add the following code to your .htaccess file. 

AuthType BasicAuthName “Restricted Area”AuthUserFile /home/public_html/wp-admin/.htpasswdrequire valid-user\

Make sure to replace “Authuserfile” with your .htpasswds file.

Conclusion

Mastering the .htaccess file is crucial for strengthening the security of your WordPress website. Implementing these seven key strategies establishes a solid foundation for defending your site against common threats. These actions not only enhance your website’s security but also contribute to improved performance and user satisfaction. Integrating these .htaccess methods with regular updates and additional security measures ensures a comprehensive approach to safeguarding your WordPress website, helping you maintain a secure and dependable online presence.