WordPress Password Security

How WordPress Hashes Passwords

By default, WordPress uses a portable hashing library called PHPPass (phpass). When introduced, phpass was a significant step forward as it provided salted hashes, meaning a unique random string (salt) is combined with each password before hashing. This prevents attackers from using precomputed hash tables (rainbow tables) against all users simultaneously.

However, the default iteration count for phpass and its reliance on MD5 for password stretching (making it slower) are no longer considered sufficiently strong against modern cracking hardware. Modern recommendations strongly prefer algorithms like bcrypt or Argon2 (winner of the Password Hashing Competition). These are specifically designed for password hashing and incorporate features like a configurable "cost" factor, making them significantly more resistant to brute-force attacks by dramatically slowing down the hashing process for attackers. WordPress itself will attempt to upgrade older hashes (like plain MD5) to phpass hashes upon successful user login if the server supports it.

Why WordPress Still Uses MD5 (Internally for PHPPass)

Backward compatibility is the main reason WordPress core hasn't fully mandated newer algorithms like bcrypt by default. Millions of existing WordPress sites, some running on older PHP versions or with customized user management systems, rely on the current phpass implementation. A sudden, forced switch could potentially break logins for a large number of users or sites with specific server configurations.

While phpass uses MD5 in its stretching process, it's important to note this isn't the same as storing a simple MD5 hash of a password. The salting and iterative hashing provide more protection than a raw MD5 hash. Nevertheless, the goal is to move towards even stronger, dedicated password hashing algorithms. Developers can integrate plugins or custom code to enforce bcrypt or Argon2 for new user registrations and password changes, and WordPress will use stronger hashing if the server environment (PHP version and extensions) supports it (e.g., CRYPT_BLOWFISH for bcrypt).

Secure Your wp-config.php Keys

Your wp-config.php file is one of the most critical files in your WordPress installation. It contains not only your database credentials but also a set of unique Authentication Keys and Salts. These keys and salts are vital for enhancing the security of information stored in user cookies and for generating secure nonces, making it much harder for attackers to forge sessions, guess passwords, or perform other malicious activities.

If these keys are weak, predictable, or compromised, the security of your entire WordPress site is at risk. It's crucial that these are long, random, and unique to your installation. You should change them immediately if you suspect a compromise. Use our Salt Generator to quickly create strong, random values for all WordPress secret keys and salts. Simply copy the generated keys and paste them into your wp-config.php file, replacing the default placeholders.

Change the Default Table Prefix

During WordPress installation, you're prompted to set a database table prefix, which defaults to wp_. Always customize this default prefix to something unique (e.g., siteA_ or wp_a8cZf_).

Why? Many automated SQL injection scripts and other database attacks target the default `wp_` prefix. By changing it, you add a layer of obscurity that can thwart these common, less sophisticated attacks. While it's not a foolproof security measure on its own (security through obscurity is not true security), it's a simple hardening step that can reduce risk.

This is easiest to do during a fresh WordPress installation. Changing it on an existing site is more complex and involves modifying your `wp-config.php` file and renaming all your database tables. If you need to do this on a live site, proceed with extreme caution, back up your database first, and consider using a reputable plugin designed for this purpose.

Never Store Plain Text Passwords

This is a cardinal rule of security: **never store passwords in plain text or use easily reversible encryption.** WordPress, by default, correctly uses one-way hashing for passwords. This means the actual password isn't stored; instead, a cryptographic representation (the hash) is stored.

When a user attempts to log in, the password they enter is subjected to the same hashing process (including the same salt, if applicable for the algorithm), and the resulting hash is compared to the stored hash. If they match, access is granted. This one-way nature means that even if an attacker gains access to the database, they cannot directly retrieve the original passwords. They would still need to crack the hashes, which, if strong algorithms are used, is a very difficult and time-consuming task.

You can try the Hashify WP Password Generator to see how password hashing works in principle, but always let WordPress and its underlying PHP functions handle the actual password hashing within your application.

Use High-Cost Algorithms

Modern password hashing algorithms like bcrypt, scrypt, and Argon2 (the winner of the Password Hashing Competition) are designed to be deliberately slow and resource-intensive. They include a configurable "cost" or "work" factor. This factor can be tuned to make the hashing process take a specific amount of time (e.g., a fraction of a second) on your server hardware.

This "slowness" is a crucial security feature. While a fraction of a second is unnoticeable to a legitimate user logging in, it becomes a massive barrier for attackers attempting brute-force attacks (trying millions or billions of password combinations) or using rainbow tables. Each guess requires the same computationally expensive hashing operation, making such attacks prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, even with specialized hardware like GPUs or ASICs.

As computing power increases over time, you can increase the cost factor to maintain the same level of resistance against cracking attempts. While WordPress core has its default (phpass), if your server environment supports it (modern PHP versions often do for bcrypt), WordPress can leverage it. For more control or to use Argon2, you might look into plugins or custom code solutions that specifically implement these stronger algorithms for WordPress user authentication.

Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

While strong password hashing protects stored passwords, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a critical layer of security to the login process itself. Even if an attacker somehow obtains a user's password (e.g., through phishing, malware, or a data breach on another site where the user reused the password), they still won't be able to log in without the second factor.

This second factor is typically something the user possesses, like a one-time code generated by an authenticator app (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy), a physical security key (e.g., YubiKey), or a code sent via SMS (though app-based and physical keys are generally more secure than SMS).

WordPress does not include 2FA by default, but numerous reputable plugins are available (e.g., Wordfence Login Security, Google Authenticator by miniOrange, Two Factor Authentication) that make it easy to add this essential security feature for all users, especially administrators and editors.

Additional WordPress Security Best Practices

Securing passwords is a vital piece of the puzzle, but overall WordPress security relies on a holistic approach. Consider these additional measures:

• Enforce Strong Password Policies: Encourage or require users to create strong, unique passwords based on guidelines like those from NIST. Plugins can help enforce complexity requirements and prevent the use of common or breached passwords.
• Limit Login Attempts: Use a security plugin to limit the number of failed login attempts from a specific IP address. This helps mitigate brute-force attacks against your login page.
• Regularly Update Everything: Keep WordPress core, all themes, and all plugins updated to their latest versions. Updates often include security patches for known vulnerabilities. Learn more at WordPress.org.
• Use HTTPS (SSL/TLS): Ensure your entire site loads over HTTPS. This encrypts data in transit between the user's browser and your server, protecting login credentials and other sensitive information from being intercepted. Consider using services like Let's Encrypt for free certificates.
• Principle of Least Privilege: Assign user roles and capabilities carefully. Users should only have the permissions necessary to perform their tasks, following the principle of least privilege. Avoid giving administrator access unnecessarily.
• Secure Your Hosting Environment: Choose a reputable web host that takes security seriously. Ensure your PHP version is up-to-date and consider a Web Application Firewall (WAF).
• Regular Backups: Maintain regular, automated backups of your WordPress site (files and database) and store them in a secure, off-site location. This is crucial for recovery in case of a security incident.

Conclusion: Proactive Password Security is Key

Securing passwords in WordPress is not a one-time setup but an ongoing commitment. By understanding how WordPress handles passwords internally and by diligently implementing the best practices outlined—from robust hashing algorithms and secure salt keys to multi-factor authentication and comprehensive site hardening—you significantly bolster the protection of your users' data and the overall security posture of your website.

The threat landscape is constantly evolving, so staying informed, regularly auditing your security measures, and being proactive are essential. Prioritize security to build and maintain a trustworthy online presence, protecting both your users and your reputation.