Yes — it’s still 2025. But with AI advancing at full speed, cyberattacks getting smarter, and automated bots learning new tricks every month, we’re already preparing our clients for what’s coming in 2026. WordPress security may not be at the forefront of your mind but take a few minutes and tighten up your site before your have trouble.
One of the reasons we put this guide together is because we’ve seen firsthand what happens when people wait too long. At MinuteBrands, we’ve rescued more hacked WordPress sites than we can count — everything from spam-injected code, to broken dashboards, to malware disguised as innocent plugins. In every case, the site owner said the same thing:
“I never thought this would happen to me.”
Before we go on, here’s a warning: NEVER use hacked, cracked or nulled plugins or themes no matter how much you trust the source. The back door could open anytime in the future even if the file seemed clean when you downloaded it. Not to mention the ethics of using pirated software. It could end up costing you far more than the license to repair a site and your reputation.
Security is one of those things you rarely think about until it becomes a five-alarm emergency. But spending just a few minutes tightening up your defenses now can save days (or weeks) of pain later. Consider this your “Year-End WordPress Checkup” — the version that prepares you for the new digital battlefield of 2026.
If you’d like help reviewing or securing your WordPress site after reading this checklist, reach out anytime:
👉 https://minutebrands.com/contact/
1. Update WordPress, Themes & Plugins Regularly
Keeping everything updated is the single most important step. Most hacks we clean up come from outdated plugins or themes that had known vulnerabilities. WordPress does update a lot and you may not need to auto-update or even update same day. But you should run updates at least once per month or when there is an urgent security update.
- Update WordPress core as soon as new versions release
- Remove any plugins you don’t use at least every few months
- Update premium themes and licenses before they expire
2. Use Strong Passwords (and Change Them Yearly)
Weak passwords are still one of the top causes of WordPress hacks — seriously. “Admin123” is basically an open invitation to bots.
- Use a password manager to generate strong, random passwords
- Update all admin passwords at least once a year
- Disable the “admin” username if it still exists
- Make sure your site users are also using best practices
3. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if your password leaks, 2FA adds a second barrier. It’s like having two locks on your front door instead of one.
Most security plugins include this now.
Use an app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
4. Install a Reliable WordPress Security Plugin
You don’t need ten plugins — just one good one that handles the essentials.
Recommended options:
- Wordfence
- Sucuri
- iThemes Security
- Jetpack Protect (lightweight option)
- Ninja Firewall has a pretty solid free version.
Make sure your plugin handles:
- Firewall
- Malware scanning
- Login security
- Bot blocking
5. Limit Login Attempts
Hackers use “brute force attacks,” meaning they try thousands of password combinations per minute. Limiting login attempts stops them fast.
A good WordPress security plugin can block repeated login attempts automatically.
6. Back Up Your Website (Automatically!)
This is your safety net.
If you ever get hacked, a backup is what allows us to bring your site back within hours instead of days.
Schedule automatic backups with:
- UpdraftPlus – there is no excuse not to at least use this plugin which now has free scheduled backups
- JetBackup (with some hosting providers)
- Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Store backups either:
- In the cloud
- Off your hosting server
- Or both
Don’t trust that your host will have the backup. Make sure you take a local copy every so often – free and easy.
7. Use Secure, Reputable Hosting
Not all hosting companies protect you equally. Some are better equipped for modern threats, automatic patches, and malware monitoring.
Things to look for in 2026 hosting:
- Free SSL
- Server-level firewalls
- Daily backups
- PHP version support
- DDoS protection
If your host doesn’t offer these, it might be time to switch.
8. Turn Off Unused Access Points
Most people don’t realize WordPress has multiple “doors” into the site. If you don’t need them, turn them off.
- Disable XML-RPC unless you use Jetpack
- Turn off file editing in WordPress
- Restrict access to wp-admin
- Limit user roles so only admins can make changes
9. Scan for Malware Monthly
You don’t need to wait for something to break. Your WordPress security plan doesn’t have to be time consuming but should be regular.
A monthly scan helps you catch issues early — before Google flags your site or users see warnings.
Most scans take less than five minutes. There are free and paid versions of plugins that will do this for you. Some are automatic and will send a report on anything that needs a fix.
10. Audit Your Plugins & Users
End of year is a perfect time to clean up who and what has access.
Ask yourself:
- Are there old developers who still have logins?
- Do you have plugins installed that you never use?
- Does every user need the level of access they currently have?
The fewer moving parts your site has, the fewer things can go wrong.
11. Upgrade to HTTPS (If You Haven’t Already)
HTTPS encrypts your data and protects both you and your visitors. Search engines expect it. Users expect it. And in 2026, it’s no longer optional. In fact it hasn’t been optional for a decade. With free SSL these days, there is no excuse.
Make sure your SSL certificate is active and automatically renewing.
12. Keep an Eye on AI-Driven Threats
This is the “2026” part of the checklist.
AI has made it easier than ever for cybercriminals to create:
- Smarter hacking scripts
- More believable phishing attempts
- Faster brute force patterns
- Automated malware injections
Your site has to be ready for threats that didn’t even exist a few years ago.
Modern security tools now include AI-based detection to keep up with these evolving risks. If yours doesn’t, consider upgrading.
Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of 2026 Now
The digital world is changing fast — faster than any time before. But with a few end-of-year habits, you can lock down your WordPress site before the 2026 threat landscape rolls in.
Security doesn’t have to be scary, complicated, or time-consuming. It just has to be consistent.
And if you want help fortifying your WordPress security plan, cleaning up old vulnerabilities, or preparing for next year’s cyber risks, we’d love to help. We provide rescues and monthly maintenance programs as well.
👉 Contact MinuteBrands anytime: https://minutebrands.com/contact/
