A 2020 survey on hackers revealed that 81% of them learned their craft from the internet. They specifically listed blogs and online educational materials as the two main areas where they harnessed and honed their hacking skills. As ironic as it sounds, many blogs have become targets for hackers to learn and hone their skills. This makes it necessary for you to secure your blogs. Below are some ideas to prevent hacking attempts on your blog.

1. Set up a strong username and password

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According to the Hosting Tribunal website, a hacker breaches blog security every 39 seconds. This requires creating a strong username and password to protect the site. It is especially important if your blog is hosted on WordPress. You are usually required to key in the login credentials you were provided with.

The discovery is that many bloggers tend to use the ‘admin’ username. However, I.T. Security experts say this is not advisable because many hackers use the ‘admin’ username to attempt a hack on targeted blogs. To outwit them, choosing a username only you can recognize is recommended. The downside here is that when you log in with an ‘admin’ username for the very first time, it is impossible to delete it. A solution, however, is to create another user name that you can use as the main Admin.

With passwords, it will be in your best interest to use an upper and lowercase alphanumeric combination that only you can guess. For a stronger password, it is advisable to include symbols. If you think your password is easily forgettable, record it somewhere safe that you and nobody else can access.

2. Regularly update your blogging site

You cannot ignore the significance of this point, especially when the overall purpose is to protect your site from possible hacks. It's easier to do this when you opt for platforms that offer fully managed security for your site. That way, it would be one less burden to be saddled with as you manage your blogging site. For example, you can use Nestify and try for free to determine the veracity of their site security claims.

3. Be mindful of your plugin usage

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In simple terms, plugins are software additions. They are primarily responsible for computer program customization. This includes browsers, apps, etc. While plugins are important for the smooth functioning of your blog, it is also a security area to be mindful of. For example, unused plugins can easily become weak links in the security chain. Over the years, unused plugins have played significant roles in providing entry points for hackers.

Apart from unused plugins, it is also vital to be mindful of the ones you install. Some come from unreliable sources with an increased risk of becoming problematic for you in short to long term. Again, plugins that haven’t had recent updates may not be a good idea to include in your blog.

With that said, always look out for plugins with excellent reviews and ratings before opting for them. While at it, do not forget to keep your reliable plugins updated with new versions. It would be in your interest to adopt other reliable measures to prevent hacking attempts.