Wp Secure Stack

XML-RPC is a legacy WordPress API that lets external apps communicate with your site. Its multicall feature allows attackers to bundle hundreds of login attempts into a single HTTP request, bypassing standard brute-force protections entirely. We recommend disabling it unless you actively use Jetpack or the WordPress mobile app.

Key signs include: unexpected admin users, modified core files, redirects to unknown sites, Google Search Console malware warnings, and sudden unexplained traffic drops. Install WP Activity Log and run a scan with Wordfence or Sucuri SiteCheck. See our full guide: 15 Signs Your Site Has Been Hacked →

WordPress automatically applies minor releases (security patches) by default. Major version updates require manual action. Plugins and themes do not auto-update unless you explicitly enable this per-plugin in the dashboard. We recommend enabling auto-updates for trusted, actively-maintained plugins — and always back up before any major core update.

For most sites: Wordfence Security (free tier covers WAF + scanner), Limit Login Attempts Reloaded (brute force protection), and WP Activity Log (audit trail). See our full plugin comparison table with live test results →

Install Limit Login Attempts Reloaded, enable 2FA via WP 2FA or Wordfence, change your login URL with WPS Hide Login, and block xmlrpc.php. On Apache servers, add IP-based restrictions in your .htaccess file. Full guide: Restrict Admin Access via IP Allowlisting →

Yes — absolutely. The username “admin” is the first guess in every brute-force dictionary attack. Create a new user with a strong unique username, assign the Administrator role, then delete the original “admin” account and reassign its posts to the new user during deletion.

2FA adds a second verification step after your password — usually a time-based one-time code from an app like Google Authenticator or Authy. Install the free WP 2FA plugin, configure it to enforce 2FA for all administrator accounts, and test on a secondary device before logging out. Full tutorial: Setting Up 2FA on WordPress →

Step 1: Change all passwords immediately — WordPress, hosting, FTP, and database. Step 2: Put the site into maintenance mode. Step 3: Run a full malware scan with MalCare or Wordfence. Step 4: Check for unfamiliar admin accounts and remove them. Step 5: Restore from a pre-infection backup if available. Full recovery plan: WordPress Incident Response Guide →

Use MalCare’s one-click cleanup or Wordfence’s scan-and-repair feature. Manually compare core files against a fresh WordPress download using wp core verify-checksums via WP-CLI. Remove unfamiliar plugins. Check .htaccess and wp-config.php for injected code. Replace all secret keys and salts in wp-config.php after cleaning.

Only if your backup was taken before the infection. Restoring an infected backup will simply re-introduce the malware. Always verify your backup date against the first signs of compromise. After restoration, run a full security audit — attackers frequently leave backdoors in files they didn’t originally modify.

Yes — 100%. All guides, plugin reviews, downloadable templates, threat alerts, and tools are completely free with no account required. This is a core part of our mission: security knowledge should never be paywalled.

Email [email protected] with full reproduction steps, affected plugin/theme version, and impact assessment. We follow a 90-day responsible disclosure timeline and will acknowledge your report within 12 hours. PGP key available on request.

Currently WP SecureStack focuses exclusively on free educational content. We don’t provide paid audits, consultancy, or site-specific security services. For personalised help, we recommend reaching out via our contact form — we’re happy to point you toward the right free resources for your situation.