How do I keep my Joomla site secure?
Update Joomla and extensions as soon as updates come out, turn on two-factor login for admins, remove extensions you don't use, and back up regularly.
What attacks actually target
Most Joomla sites are hacked through an outdated extension, a weak or reused password, or old server software, not through a clever attack on Joomla itself. A short routine prevents almost all of it.
The routine
- Update Joomla, extensions and your template as soon as updates are out (or turn on automated core updates).
- Strong logins: no username "admin", long unique passwords, and multi-factor authentication for every administrator.
- Few extensions: remove what you don't use; check the rest against the Vulnerable Extensions List.
- Least privilege: give users the lowest group that lets them do their job; keep Super Users to a minimum.
- Backups on a schedule, kept off the server, tested now and then.
- Server: current PHP, HTTPS everywhere (Force HTTPS), SFTP instead of FTP, correct file permissions.
Extra protection
- Limit access to /administrator by IP address, or add a password in your hosting panel.
- Add HTTP security headers such as Strict-Transport-Security and Content-Security-Policy.
- A security extension can block repeated login attempts.
Sources
- Security Best Practices – Joomla User Guide
- Vulnerable Extensions – Joomla User Guide
- Multi-factor Authentication – Joomla User Guide
