protect your wordpress from the inside out

WORDPRESS SECURITYBY BRAD WILLIAMS & BRIAN MESSENLEHNER

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brad Williams

Co-Founder WebDevStudios.comCo-Author Professional WordPress

& Professional WordPress

Plugin DevelopmentCo-Organizer WordCamp PhillyCo-Host DradCast

Brian Messenlehner

Co-Founder WebDevStudios.comCo-Author Building Web Apps with WordPress Co-Organizer New Jersey WordPress Meetup

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

TODAY’S TOPICS

• Security Stats• Example Hack• Top Security Tips• Recommended Plugins & Services• Resources

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATSFOR WORDPRESS

Security Stats

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATS

700+ million websites May 2012 (Netcraft)

300 million websites in 2011 (Pingdom)

10+ billion indexed pages (WorldWebSize)

Projected:• 1 Billion websites by 2013• 2 Billion websites by 2015

2011 2012 2013 20150

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Websites

Websites

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATS

WordPress Stats• 73+ Million WordPress powered websites• 18.9% of all websites are running WordPress• 22 out of every 100 new domains in the U.S.

launches with WordPress• Projected 300-500 Million WordPress sites by

2015

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATS

Web Malware Stats• 403 Million unique variants of malware in 2011 (Symantec)

• 140% growth since 2010

• 81% increase in malicious web-based attacks between 2010 - 2011

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATS

In Summary – Be Scared!

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

SECURITY STATSFOR WORDPRESS

Hack Example

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link InjectionHacker bots look for known exploits (SQL Injection, folder

permissions, etc)This allows them to insert spam files/links into your WordPress Themes, plugins, and core files.

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link InjectionHosting account contained two separate websites

WordPress WordPress Multisite

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link InjectionHacker bot dropped a malicious file on a WP Multisite install

WordPress WordPressMultisite

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link InjectionWordPress Multisite starts hacking WordPress install

Inserting spam links into the theme, plugins, and core files


Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link InjectionWP Multisite contains no spam links

Acts as a carrier to spread the contamination

Cleaning up the WordPress website onlyresulted in more spam links a few days later


Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

HACK EXAMPLE

Link Injection375 spam links per page, only shown to search engines

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

TOP SECURITY TIPSFOR WORDPRESS

Securing WordPress

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


1 Update Update UpdateKeep WordPress Updated!

Minor WordPress versions ( ie 3.5.x ) do NOT add new features. They contain bug fixes and security patches

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


1 Update Update UpdateUpdate Those Plugins!

The plugin Changelog tab makes it very easy to view what has changed in a new plugin version

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


1. Update Update Update

NO EXCUSES! UPDATE!

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


2. Use Secret Keys

Some secrets should remain secrets

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


2. Use Secret Keys

define('AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('NONCE_KEY', 'put your unique phrase here');define('AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');define('NONCE_SALT', 'put your unique phrase here');

1. Edit wp-config.php

A secret key is a hashing salt which makes your site harder to hack by adding random elements to the password.

2. Visit this URL to get your secret keys: https://api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt

BEFOREdefine('AUTH_KEY', '*8`:Balq!`,-j.JTl~sP%&>@ON,t(}S6)IG|nG1JIfY(,y=][-3$!N6be]-af|BD');define('SECURE_AUTH_KEY', 'q+i-|3S~d?];6$[$!ZOXbw6c]0 !k/,UxOod>fqV!sWCkvBihF2#hI=CDt_}WaH1');define('LOGGED_IN_KEY', 'D/QoRf{=&OC=CrT/^Zq}M9MPT&49^O}G+m2L{ItpX_jh(-I&-?pkeC_SaF0nw;m+');define('NONCE_KEY', 'oJo8C&sc+ C7Yc,W1v o5}.FR,Zk!J<]vaCa%2D9nj8otj5z8UnJ_q.Q!hgpQ*-H');define('AUTH_SALT', 'r>O/;U|xg~I5v.u(Nq+JMfYHk.*[p8!baAsb1DKa8.0}q/@V5snU1hV2eR!|whmt');define('SECURE_AUTH_SALT', '3s1|cIj d7y<?]Z1n# i1^FQ *L(Kax)Y%r(mp[DUX.1a3!jv(;P_H6Q7|y.!7|-');define('LOGGED_IN_SALT', '`@>+QdZhD!|AKk09*mr~-F]/F39Sxjl31FX8uw+wxUYI;U{NWx|y|+bKJ*4`uF`*');define('NONCE_SALT', 'O+#iqcPw#]O4TcC%Kz_DAf:mK!Zy@Zt*Kmm^C25U|T!|?ldOf/l1TZ6Tw$9y[M/6');

AFTER

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


Do you login with username admin?

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


3. Delete the Admin user account

UPDATE wp_users SET user_login='hulkster' WHERE user_login='admin';

Change the admin username in MySQL:

Or create a new account with administrator privileges.

1. Create a new account. Make the username very unique2. Set account to Administrator role3. Log out and log back in with new account4. Delete admin account

WordPress will allow you to reassign all content written by admin to an account of your choice.

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


3. Delete the Admin user account

WordPress lets you setthe username during the

installation process!

DON'T USE ADMIN!

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


3. Delete the Admin user accountKnowing your

username is half the battle.

Don't make it easy on the

hackers.

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


4. File and Folder PermissionsWhat folder permissions should you use?

Good Rule of Thumb:

• Files should be set to 644• Folders should be set to 755

Start with the default settings above

If your host requires 777…SWITCH HOSTS!

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


4. File and Folder Permissions

find [your path here] -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;find [your path here] -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

Or via SSH with the following commands

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


5. Move wp-config.phpWordPress features the ability to move the wp-config.php

file one directory above your WordPress root

This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to access your wp-config.php file from a browser as it now resides outside of your website’s root directory

You can move your wp-config.php file to here

WordPress automatically checks the parent directory if a wp-config.php file is not found in your root directory

public_html/wordpress/wp-config.php

If WordPress is located here:

public_html/wp-config.php

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


6. Lock Down WP Login and WP Admin

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess



define('FORCE_SSL_LOGIN', true);

Add the code below to wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on login

Add the code below to wp-config.php to force SSL (https) on all admin pages

define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

Using SSL (https) on all admin screens in WordPress will encrypt all data transmitted with the same encryption as online shopping

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess



AuthUserFile /dev/nullAuthGroupFile /dev/nullAuthName "Access Control"AuthType Basicorder deny,allowdeny from all#IP address to Whitelistallow from 67.123.83.59allow from 123.123.123.*

1. Create an .htaccess file in your wp-admin directory

Only a user with the IP 67.123.83.59 or 123.123.123.* can access wp-admin

2. Add the following lines of code:

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


7. Use Trusted Sources for Themes & Plugins

WPMU.org reviewed the top 10 results for “free wordpress themes” on Google.

Out of the ten sites reviewed

1. Safe: 12. Iffy: 13. Avoid: 8

Source: http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-never-search-for-free-wordpress-themes-in-google-or-anywhere-else/

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


7. Use Trusted Sources for Themes & Plugins

Source: http://wpmu.org/why-you-should-never-search-for-free-wordpress-themes-in-google-or-anywhere-else/

The only safe site reviewed was WordPress.org

Most themes included base64() encoded text links to promote various servies

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


8. Be Secure LocallyThink of your local environment as if it was a medieval castle and you’re the queen or king. Your kingdom must be protected!

Keep your computer up to date• Ensure you’re patching or installing updates ASAP

• Automatic updates rock!

Install an anti-virus solution • Ensure you’re keeping definitions current

• Automatic updates aren’t a bad idea here either!

Yes, personal firewalls still apply!

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


8. Be Secure LocallyIt’s your information, but who’s watching & listening? You may be a network geek at home, but what happens at Starbucks?

Your Internet ConnectionUse SSL whenever possible, especially on an unverified connection.

• HTTPS is a great way to ensure your transactions & traffic are traveling with security in mind.

Connecting To Your Site(s)Consider using sFTP or SSH vs. FTP

• Still widely marketed, but did you know your credentials are passed unencrypted when using FTP?

• If unavoidable, do not allow anonymous logins, limit connections, practice least privilege.

• Don’t store your credentials in your FTP client.

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


9. Use a Trusted Host

You get what you pay for…

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


9. Use a Trusted HostAt the end of the day, hosting providers market the world. You in turn, should have opportunity to know how they’re going to protect you.

Your Lovely Host

• Cheap doesn’t always mean best, or safe!

• How many sites on their network are blacklisted for malware reasons?

• What version of software do they run and how often do they update?

• How are account credentials stored & who has access?

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


10. Use Common Sense• Use a strong password

• BAD: bradisawesome• GOOD: SCrEE79joLly$• A=@, E=3, S=$, O=0 (This is not unique, they know this)

• Update passwords regularly (Monthly, make a schedule)• Know your admins, limit number of accounts (WP, FTP, Hosting, etc)• Backup, Backup, Backup (Use BackupBuddy for scheduled backups)

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

PLUGINS & SERVICESFOR WORDPRESS

Plugins & Services

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


Login Lockdown

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/login-lockdown/

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


Sucuri SecuritySiteCheck MalwareScanner

http://wordpress.org/plugins/sucuri-scanner/

• Scan your site for malware, SPAM injections, errors, and more

• Hardening of key WordPress directories

• Verify core WordPress files have not been modified

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


Exploit Scanner

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exploit-scanner/

• Scans your files and database for potentially malicious code

• Does not remove code, only detects it

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess


http://Sucuri.net

• Free Website Malware Scanner: http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/• Website monitoring• Hack cleanup services• Sucuri Security Plugin

• Free to clients• Web Application Firewall• Integrity Monitoring• Auditing• Hardening

http://Sucuri.net

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/

http://sitecheck.sucuri.net/scanner/

RESOURCESFOR WORDPRESS

• Security Related Articles• http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/04/lockdown-wordpress-a-security-webinar-with-dre-armeda.html• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/04/ask-sucuri-how-to-stop-the-hacker-and-ensure-your-site-is-

locked.html• http://blog.sucuri.net/2012/04/ask-sucuri-what-should-i-know-when-engaging-a-web-

malware-company.html

• Clean a Hacked Site• http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_My_site_was_hacked• http://www.marketingtechblog.com/wordpress-hacked/

• Support Forums• Hacked: http://wordpress.org/tags/hacked• Malware: http://wordpress.org/tags/malware

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

CONTACT BRAD AND BRIAN

Brad [email protected]

Blog: strangework.comTwitter: @williamsba

http://bit.ly/prowp2

Brian [email protected]

Blog: brian.messenlehner.comTwitter: @bmess

http://bit.ly/prowp2

Brad Williams

@williamsba

Brian Messenlehner

@bmess

protect your wordpress from the inside out

Technology