Many people think that running a successful blog is just about posting great content and writing captivating posts. That’s a big part of it – but it’s not the only part. For those of you looking to convert your blogging hobby into a way of making real money, you’re going to have to look at keeping your blog safe and secure. Online security is now as important as ever, but you’d be surprised how many people ignore a few key safety tips and keep their blog running some sort of open-door policy. We’re going to look at some of the most important ways for you to keep your blog secure.

Most attackers are opportunists, and they’ll normally be looking for an easy way in. Sophisticated mega-hackers might have all the tools of the trade, but they probably won’t be looking at blogs like yours (unless you’re making a ton of money). Keeping things secure is simple, and you should be able to fend of unwanted attackers without needing to resort to large-scale security. Most steps are simple and will prevent all but the most sophisticated attacks.

Protect your admin login

One of the easiest way for hackers to take control of your blog is through the admin panel. The best way to stop them is to use secure passwords. You’d be surprised how many people use easily-predictable terms. Don’t use passwords you’ve used elsewhere, and change them regularly. Your website could be destroyed and your credibility left in tatters if the wrong person gets control of it. So protect it properly.

Here’s one good trick if you think your keystrokes are being logged: Don’t “type” your password in. You’re probably wondering how you’ll be able to get access without doing so, but you can easily copy and paste letters from a document into the password panel. Doing it in an irregular order is even better. It can be a tedious and rather long-winded way of doing things, but it should work as a short-term measure while you get your computer cleared of malware and made keylogger free.

You should also keep your admin login page hidden from view. Yes, anyone who knows what they’re doing should still be able to find it, but having a link to it on the public side of your blog is just asking for unwanted opportunists to try and get access.

On top of that, you should delete your admin username and use something less predictable. This adds another layer of security and essentially means that any intruder would have to guess the username as well as the password in order to gain access.

Keep your WordPress version up to date

For those of you using the blogging platform WordPress (probably most of you), make sure you keep it up to date. The newest version should be the most secure, as new vulnerabilities are being discovered and patched as programmers try and stay one step ahead of hackers.

Install the right plug-ins

There are a number of useful plug-ins that can help make securing your blog much easier. With tons to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. A good plug-in to use is one that limits login attempts. You’ll probably have seen how these work on other websites, but they can be a good way of preventing hackers from bombarding your site with password attempts. After all, you should be able to get your password right within a few attempts so adding this extra layer of security shouldn’t do much harm.

Be wary of any third-party code or malicious scripts

Although this will contradict the previous point to some extent, you should be careful about the plug-ins you install. Some of them can actually make your site more vulnerable and can contain security problems of their own. If you’re unsure, make sure you only install a plug-in that has been highly recommended by the right people and checked for any security issues. Most popular plug-ins should be fine.

Keep a backup

Sadly, attempts at preventing problems sometimes fail. You can safeguard against this by keeping a backup of your database. If you do get a problem, you should be able to revert back to your saved data and limit the consequences. Backing up your data regularly is important.

Keeping your blog safe and secure is important, but it needn’t be complicated. Take the right steps and stay cautious and you should be able to continue blogging without too many problems.

Eric Fulton is a security expert who knows the importance of staying safe on the internet. He also knows a lot about personal injury claims, and that’s why he recommends Accident Advice Helpline.

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