Hardening WordPress File Permissions for Enhanced Security

To harden WordPress file permissions for enhanced security, the recommended settings are:

• Directories: Set permissions to 755 (owner can read, write, execute; group and others can read and execute).
• Files: Set permissions to 644 (owner can read and write; group and others can only read).
• wp-config.php: Set more restrictive permissions, typically 600 or 640, to protect sensitive configuration data.

These settings strike a balance between security and functionality, preventing unauthorized users from modifying files while allowing the web server to read necessary files.

Additional best practices include:

• Avoid using 777 or 666 permissions, as these grant excessive write and execute access to all users, making your site vulnerable to malware and unauthorized changes.
• Restrict FTP access by IP address to limit who can modify core files and directories.
• Regularly audit and monitor file permissions to detect unauthorized changes or escalations.
• Use server-level rules (e.g., Apache directives or NGINX rules) to block access to sensitive files like wp-config.php and .htaccess and disable PHP execution in directories like /uploads/.
• Implement real-time file integrity monitoring and a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious file changes or injections.
• Ensure proper file ownership, ideally with files owned by your user account rather than the web server user, to maintain control and security.
• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date with automated patching to reduce vulnerabilities related to outdated files.

By following these guidelines, you significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized file modifications, malware infections, and other security breaches related to file permissions on your WordPress site.