How to Change WordPress Admin URL for Security

Changing your WordPress admin URL is an effective way to enhance the security of your website. By default, the WordPress login page is located at http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin or http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php, making it an easy target for hackers attempting to access your site. Changing this URL to something unique can help protect your website from brute-force attacks and unauthorized access.

This guide will walk you through the steps to change the WordPress admin URL for added security.

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Why Change the WordPress Admin URL?

Changing the default WordPress login URL is one of the best practices for securing your WordPress site. By hiding your login page, you make it more difficult for hackers to find it and attempt login attempts. Here are a few reasons why it is beneficial:

• Prevents Brute-Force Attacks: Hackers often target the default login URL to try multiple username-password combinations (brute-force attacks). Changing the URL makes it harder for them to target your site.
• Reduces Unwanted Traffic: With a hidden admin URL, bots and malicious users will not easily find your login page, reducing unnecessary traffic.
• Enhances Overall Security: Making the login page less obvious reduces the chance of a successful attack on your website.

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How to Change the WordPress Admin URL Using Plugins

The easiest and safest way to change the admin login URL is by using a plugin. Several WordPress plugins are available to help you do this without modifying any code.

Option 1: Using the WPS Hide Login Plugin

1. Install the WPS Hide Login Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for WPS Hide Login.
   • Click Install Now and then activate the plugin.
2. Configure the Plugin:
   • After activation, go to Settings > WPS Hide Login in your WordPress dashboard.
   • In the settings page, you’ll see an option to set a custom URL for your login page.
   • Enter a new URL slug (for example, mysecurelogin) in the Login URL field.
   • Click Save Changes.
   Now, your login URL will be something like http://yourdomain.com/mysecurelogin. Anyone trying to access http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin or http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php will be redirected to the homepage or another page of your choice.
3. Test the New Login URL:
   • Open an incognito browser window and go to your new login URL (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/mysecurelogin).
   • Ensure that it works correctly and that the old login page is inaccessible.

Option 2: Using the iThemes Security Plugin

1. Install iThemes Security Plugin:
   • From your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for iThemes Security and click Install Now. Once installed, click Activate.
2. Enable the Change of Admin URL:
   • After activation, go to Security > Settings.
   • Scroll down to the WordPress Tweaks section.
   • Look for the Hide WordPress Admin option and enable it.
   • Enter a custom URL slug (e.g., securelogin), and save the settings.
3. Test the New URL:
   • Visit your new login URL to ensure that the admin area is no longer accessible via the default wp-admin or wp-login.php URL.
   • Make sure the plugin is working correctly and that the login page is secured.

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How to Change WordPress Admin URL Manually (Without Plugins)

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can change the WordPress admin URL manually by editing some core files. However, this method requires some technical knowledge, and you should proceed with caution.

Step 1: Rename wp-login.php

1. Access Your WordPress Files:
   • Use an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or the File Manager in your hosting control panel to access your WordPress site files.
2. Rename the wp-login.php File:
   • In the root directory of your WordPress installation, locate the file named wp-login.php.
   • Rename it to something unique (e.g., mylogin.php).
3. Modify the functions.php File:
   • In the wp-content/themes/[your-theme]/ folder, locate and edit the functions.php file.Add the following code at the end of the file:
   function custom_login_url() { $login_url = home_url('mylogin.php'); // Replace 'mylogin.php' with the new name you chose. return $login_url; } add_filter('login_url', 'custom_login_url');
   This code will redirect the default login page to the new login URL.
4. Update WordPress Redirect:
   • You also need to update the WordPress redirect mechanism to ensure that users are redirected to your new login page. This can be done by adding custom redirects to the .htaccess file.
   Edit the .htaccess File:
   • In the root directory, locate the .htaccess file and edit it.Add the following code to redirect old login URL requests:
   RewriteRule ^wp-login.php$ /mylogin.php [R=301,L] # Replace 'mylogin.php' with your custom login file name.
   This ensures that any request to the old wp-login.php URL will be redirected to your new login page.
5. Test the New Login URL:
   • Try accessing http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php. You should be redirected to your custom login URL (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/mylogin.php).
   • Ensure that the default WordPress admin URL is no longer accessible.

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Important Considerations

1. Backup Your Site: Before making any changes, always back up your website, including both files and the database. This ensures that you can restore the original configuration if anything goes wrong.
2. Use a Strong Login URL: Choose a unique and difficult-to-guess login URL. Avoid using common terms like “login” or “admin.” Use a random combination of letters and numbers to make it harder for hackers to find.
3. Remember Your New URL: After changing the login URL, make sure you store it safely. If you forget it, you could lock yourself out of your website.
4. Use Additional Security Measures: Changing the login URL is just one layer of protection. To further enhance security, consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), using a strong password, and limiting login attempts.
5. Keep Your Site Updated: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to ensure you’re protected from the latest vulnerabilities.

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Conclusion

Changing the WordPress admin URL is a simple yet effective security measure to protect your website from unauthorized access. While plugins like WPS Hide Login and iThemes Security provide an easy way to achieve this, advanced users can change the URL manually by modifying WordPress files. Regardless of which method you choose, ensuring that your login page is hidden from potential attackers is an important step in securing your WordPress site.