Any hacker can easily tell whether you are running your website on WordPress or not. Whenever you install WordPress, it will create default login URLs including wp-admin.php or wp-login.php. If you are using the default login URLs, it will become easier for the hackers to know your login page. Moreover, the hackers will keep trying numbers of combinations to get into your WordPress website. Even if they do not get into your website, they will end up using your server’s resources and take down your website.
The best way to advance the security of your website is by changing the default WordPress login URL. You can easily change the default WordPress login URL using few plugins. Multiple plugins are available that will provide you with this functionality. You can choose iThemes Security, Custom Login URL, HC Custom WP-admin URL or WPS Hide Login.
Here, we will walk you through few basic steps to securing your WordPress using few plugins. Let’s check out the steps that you need to follow when securing your WordPress installation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of changing WordPress default Login URL
First of all, you must know that if you are changing the default WordPress login URL, then you will be able to improve things for yourself. If you want to enhance the security of your website, then it can be the perfect way to do so.
- Changing the default login URL of your WordPress site will improve the security. It will allow you to hide the login page from all the potential hackers and you will be able to secure your website.
- You will be able to protect your website from multiple threats. Moreover, you will be able to hide WordPress vulnerabilities using a custom login URL.
- You can always design your entire login page. If you are running a business and you want a custom designed login page, then you can redirect it to the custom created URL. If you are running a membership site, then it can be the right option for you.
- Installing different plugins for changing the default URL for login and register pages can create compatible issues. Whenever you are installing a plugin, you should always check the details and settings that the plugin is going to change. If you are a developer, then it will be easy for you to understand. However, if you are not, then you can always take help from a professional WordPress developer out there.
Changing WordPress login URL with WPS Hide Login
You can easily change the default WordPress URLs for registration and login. The plugin is lightweight, and it will not affect your website. Once you have changed the default login URL, you will not be able to access your site using the default URL. You can create a slug, and you will have to log in to your website using newly created URL. All you have to do is to follow few basic steps to make the changes.
Install the plugin
At first step, you will have to install the plugin by going to Dashboard > Plugins > Add new > WPS Hide Login. Once you have installed the plugin on to your website, you need to activate the plugin to make the necessary changes.
Activate Custom URL
The next step is to change the URL of your site. To complete this you have to do is to go to Settings > General. You can scroll down, and you will be able to see WPS Hide Login section on the screen. In the blank field, you can enter your desired WordPress login URL and then you can hit save.
Once you change the settings, you will be able to login to your website using new login URL. You will not be able to enter to the login page using default login URL.
Changing WordPress login URL with Custom Login URL
The process of changing the default login URL with this plugin is similar to the other plugins.
All you have to do is to go to Dashboard > Plugins > Add new > and search for the Custom Login URL. You can install the plugin and then activate it. Once you have activated the plugin, you can make the desired changes.
For changing the default URL, you will have to go the Settings > Permalinks. When you scroll downwards, you will be able to see Authentication Permalinks. You can change the Login and registration URL there. Once you have changed the links, you can hit save and then use the newly created link for logging in and registration.
How to create a New WordPress Login URL manually
For creating a new Login URL manually, you will have to create a new PHP login file. Even if you do not have any coding knowledge, you can still do it. There are few necessary steps that you will have to take when you are creating a new PHP login file for your website.
Create a new File
You can use any text editor available for creating a new PHP file. There are free editors available like Notepad++ that you can use for creating a new login file.
Copy the code from a wp-login.php file and paste in the new file
The next step that needs to be taken is to copy the complete code from a wp-login.php file and then paste it the new file. You can take the backup of the original wp-login.php file and then save the new file in the root directory which will replace the old file.
Find and Replace
Now you can open both files and then start finding and replacing the string ‘wp-login.php’. You will have to replace it with your new file name.
Save the file and test it
Once you have saved the file correctly, you will be able to access your WordPress site using a new URL that you have just created.
Conclusion
Changing WordPress default login URL manually is not a practical way to do so. It is always better for you to use a plugin to create custom URLs. Moreover, the plugins will provide you multiple extra features to secure your website instantly.