There are a few ways to improve the security of your WordPress database. The first is to use a clever database name . If your site is called volleyball tricks, then by default your WordPress database is most likely called wp_volleyballtricks. Changing your database name to something less obvious will help protect your site, as it will make it harder for advertising database hackers to identify and access your database data . The second recommendation is to use a different database table prefix. By default, WordPress uses wp_. Changing it to something like 39xw_ can be much more secure. When you install WordPress, it asks for a table prefix (as shown below). There are also ways to change the WordPress table prefix on existing installations. If you are a Kinsta customer, this is not necessary. We have the site and database locked!
wordpress table prefix
Always use secure connections
We can’t stress enough how important it is to use secure connections! Make sure your WordPress host takes precautions like offering SFTP or SSH . SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol (also known as SSH File Transfer Protocol ), is a network protocol used to transfer files. It is a more secure method than standard FTP. At Kinsta, we only support SFTP connections to ensure your data is secure and encrypted. Most WordPress hosts also typically use port 22 for SFTP. At Kinsta, we take it a step further and each site has its own port, which can be found in your MyKinsta dashboard.
SFTP details in MyKinsta.
It’s also important to make sure your home router is set up correctly. If someone hacks into your home network, they could gain access to all sorts of information, including potentially where sensitive information about your WordPress site(s) is stored. Here are some simple tips: