Websites built on the WordPress platform are popular targets for hacker attacks. One of the most common types of attacks is brute force, where the hacking tool tries different combinations of usernames and passwords until it finds the right combination. To prevent these attacks from succeeding, you can use a plugin to limit the number of login attempts in WordPress.
Why is it important to limit the number of login attempts in WordPress?
Brute force is a method that uses trial and error to crack your WordPress credentials. The most common type of brute force is password guessing. Hackers use automated software that repeatedly tries different combinations of usernames and passwords to gain access to your website.
By default, WordPress allows users to enter passwords any number of times. Hackers can take advantage of this fact and use scripts to enter different combinations until they guess the correct credentials.
How to limit the number of login attempts in WordPress?
The first step to limiting the number of login attempts in WordPress is to install and activate the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin. This plugin is free and easily available in the official WordPress repository.
After activating the plugin, you will find a new section called “Limit Login Attempts” in the WordPress administration. In this section, you can set various parameters for limiting the number of login attempts.
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin settings
Main settings
In the plugin’s main settings, you can specify the maximum number of failed login attempts that are allowed and how long the user will be locked out after exceeding this number. It is recommended to set a reasonable limit, for example 5 attempts in 20 minutes.
Notification
Another important feature of the plugin is the ability to notify when a user is locked out. You can set whether you want to be notified of a user’s lockout by email and how many times the user must fail to login before the notification is sent. This setting allows you to be quickly informed about possible attacks on your website.
Security precautions
The Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin also offers several security measures to help protect your site from attacks. For example, you can enable protection against XMLRPC attacks or the login page for a Woocommerce plugin.
More tips for securing your website
Limiting the number of login attempts is an important step in securing your WordPress website. Here are a few more tips to help ensure maximum safety:
- Use strong passwords: Strong passwords are key to protecting your credentials. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords, such as your name or date of birth.
- Keep your WordPress updated: Keeping WordPress and all installed plugins and templates up to date is important for the security of your website. New versions of software often fix bugs and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
- Back up your website: Regular backups are key to restoring your website in the event of an attack or technical failure. Use a reliable backup plugin and regularly save backups to external storage.
Conclusion: Limiting the number of login attempts in WordPress is an important step to secure your website. The Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin allows you to easily set limits and protect your login information from hacker attacks. Also, remember to update WordPress regularly and use strong passwords. With these measures, you will have more peace of mind and confidence that your website is safe.