How to Use the WP Toolkit to Secure and Update WordPress?

Using the WP Toolkit to Secure and Update WordPress

The WP Toolkit is one of the vital plugins that span a wide range of services, including safety, Backup, and various repairs to WordPress sites. Its toolbox includes functionality to harden Security, automate backup procedures, upgrade core files and plugins, and optimize site performance. Below are some of WP Toolkit's main features and how you can use them to keep your WordPress installation securely updated.

Security Hardening

WP Toolkit options are diverse and include several hardening options to secure WordPress and prevent the site from being crashed, hacked, attacked, or accessed without permission.

One-Click Security Hardening

Under Security> Hardening, you can run a one-click security hardening process. This will automatically configure WordPress with best-practice security settings, such as:

• Turning off file editing

• Removing WordPress version details

• Blocking PHP execution in uploads

• Adding system loader protection

• Enabling login security

Web Application Firewall 

It has a WAF (Web Application Firewall) built inside that scrutinizes the traffic and blocks malicious request requests in real-time, such as SQL injections, XSS attacks, and all other types of vulnerability exploits.

Login Protection

WP Toolkit can limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. It also lets you enable two-factor authentication and create an allowed IP address whitelist for logins.

File Monitoring 

The file integrity monitor will signal if the WordPress core files, themes, and extensions were modified abnormally. This is most likely the onset of a hacking attempt.

Malware Scanning 

You can run on-demand or scheduled malware scans to detect backdoors, shells, spam injections, and other malware payloads.

Keeping WordPress Updated

One of the most important security practices is to ensure that WordPress core files, themes, and plugins are tracked to the latest version and have all the patches and security fixes installed.

One-Click Updates

Under Updates > Manage, you can selectively or bulk update all WordPress components with a single click. This makes it easy to keep everything updated.

Automatic Updates

WP Toolkit enables automatic updates for core files, themes, plugins, and translation files on your preferred schedule.

Update Scheduling

You can schedule updates for manual control to run automatically on set days and times according to your preferences.

Update Notifications

The toolkit will automatically notify you when new updates for WordPress, themes, or plugins are available.

Update Logs

All updates are fully logged, allowing you to review what changed and when for auditing purposes.

Backup and Restore

In effect, it has a regular on-the-pulse backup of the site, which can be a real saviour in case something wrong happens with your site. The toolkit has built-in simple backup tools.

One-Click Full Backup

Under Backup> Backup, you can completely back up your WordPress files and database with a single click.

Scheduled Backupscloud

Alternatively, you can schedule automatic full backups on a custom cadence such as daily, weekly, or monthly.

Multiple Storage Options

Backup archives can be saved locally and/or uploaded to remote cloud storage, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, etc.

One-Click Restore

You can quickly restore your site from any previous backup under Backup> Restore with a single click if needed.

Performance Optimization

In addition to Security, the toolkit also has some handy optimization features to improve WordPress performance.

Database Optimization

Under Optimization> Database, you can repair and optimize your WordPress database tables and schedule regular optimizations.

Clear Caches

The toolkit allows you to selectively or bulk clear all WordPress, assets, and Cloudflare caches (if used).

Performance Reports

It will generate detailed reports showing your WordPress performance metrics compared to ideal scores.

Managing WP Toolkit

Other than the core security, update, Backup, and Optimization features, there are a few other useful settings areas.

Email Notifications

Under Settings > Notifications, you can configure which toolkit activities and alerts you want to receive email notifications for.

Toolkit Logs

The toolkit maintains detailed logs of all activities, updates, security events, and more. You can view these under Logs.

Centralized Management

If you have multiple WordPress sites, you can manage them all from a single centralized WP Toolkit admin dashboard.

Overall, the WP Toolkit plugin is designed to simplify and streamline the critical processes of hardening WordPress security, keeping everything updated, maintaining backups, and optimizing performance. By taking advantage of its powerful suite of tools, you can better secure and maintain your WordPress sites.