A security audit identifies vulnerabilities before attackers find them. We systematically check your WordPress installation: core version, plugin versions, theme security, file permissions, database configuration, and server settings. Each vulnerability is assessed based on risk and effort. The result is a prioritized action plan that addresses the most critical vulnerabilities first. We also check whether your website has already been compromised: hidden backdoors, injected code, and unknown admin accounts are identified. For websites that process personal data, we expand the audit to include data protection aspects. We deliver the results to your team fully documented, including recommendations for action. This gives you a solid foundation, even if you handle the implementation yourself. A WordPress security agency performs these checks regularly, not just once.

Hardening means reducing the attack surface. We disable features you don’t need: the XML-RPC interface, user enumeration via the REST API, and the file editor in the backend. HTTP security headers are set to prevent cross-site scripting and clickjacking. We set restrictive file permissions on the server so that PHP can only be executed from defined directories. The wp-config.php file is protected against direct access, and security keys are rotated. In addition, we implement Content Security Policies and rules in the .htaccess file or in the Nginx configuration. After hardening, we check every change for compatibility with your plugins and theme, because a secure website that no longer works is of no use to anyone. Everything is documented so that your team understands what was changed and why.

Security doesn’t end with setup. We continuously monitor your WordPress website for suspicious activity: unusual login attempts, file changes, newly discovered plugin vulnerabilities, and blacklist entries. Automated alerts notify us in real time. We also provide uptime monitoring so that an outage isn’t only noticed when a customer calls. Regular reports outline the situation: blocked attacks, patched vulnerabilities, and pending actions. Patterns in the logs help us detect new attack methods early on. Monitoring can be purchased separately or as part of our ongoing WordPress maintenance. For websites with high traffic or sensitive data, we offer more frequent monitoring intervals and faster response times.

If your website has been hacked, we’ll help right away. The cleanup process begins with an analysis: How did the attacker gain access? Which files are affected? What data might have been compromised? We then isolate the website, remove the malicious code, and restore clean files. We systematically search for backdoors and hidden access points, because a single overlooked backdoor renders all our efforts useless. We then patch the security vulnerability and harden the installation against future attacks. Where necessary, we restore a clean backup. We notify Google of the cleanup so that the security warning disappears from the search results. We document the entire process for your records and for your insurance purposes.

HTTPS is mandatory: for secure data transmission, to build trust with your visitors, and for search engine rankings. We configure the certificates, set up redirects, and check for mixed content. Mixed content occurs when individual resources are still loaded via HTTP even though the site runs on HTTPS. The browser then displays a warning, and that’s exactly what your visitors see. We identify and resolve all sources of this issue. We also implement HSTS headers, which force the browser to use HTTPS—with preloading, if desired. We monitor the certificates and renew them in a timely manner to ensure there are no security gaps. For more information on the technical foundation, see Technical SEO.

Not every user needs admin access. We implement a role-based access control system that grants each user only the permissions they actually need. We identify and remove redundant admin accounts, and for external service providers, we set up temporary access accounts with limited permissions. Password policies and two-factor authentication apply to all users with extended permissions. Inactive accounts are deactivated. We document this model for your team, and regular reviews keep it up to date. Access permissions are the most commonly overlooked aspect of WordPress security. Especially for websites with multiple editors or rotating service providers, a clear role model protects against unintended changes.