As a popular content management system, WordPress is a frequent target for hackers and cyber attacks. Changing the default login URL for the admin area is one way to improve the security of your WordPress site. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to change the WordPress admin URL with and without a plugin.
Method 1: Change the WordPress Admin URL with a Plugin
The easiest and safest way to change the WordPress admin URL is by using a plugin. There are several plugins available for this purpose, but we’ll use the “WPS Hide Login” plugin in this tutorial.
Step 1: Install and activate the plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New”.
- Search for “WPS Hide Login”.
- Install and activate the plugin.
Step 2: Configure the plugin settings
- Navigate to “Settings” > “WPS Hide Login”.
- Enter your new login URL in the “Login URL” field.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Note: The new login URL should be something unique and difficult to guess. Avoid using common names or words, and consider using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Step 3: Test the new login URL
After you’ve configured the plugin settings, you should test the new login URL to make sure it’s working properly. To do this, simply navigate to your new login URL in your web browser. You should see the WordPress login screen, and you can login using your existing credentials.
Method 2: Change the WordPress Admin URL Without a Plugin
If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can still change the WordPress admin URL by modifying the site’s .htaccess file.
Step 1: Connect to your site via FTP or cPanel
- Connect to your site’s FTP or cPanel.
- Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Step 2: Edit the .htaccess file
- Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
- Add the following code at the top of the file:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^mylogin$ wp-login.php [L]Note: Replace “mylogin” with the name of your new login URL.
- Save the file and exit.
Step 3: Test the new login URL
After you’ve modified the .htaccess file, you should test the new login URL to make sure it’s working properly. To do this, simply navigate to your new login URL in your web browser. You should see the WordPress login screen, and you can login using your existing credentials.
Conclusion
Changing the WordPress admin URL is a simple but effective way to improve the security of your WordPress site. By using a plugin or modifying the .htaccess file, you can easily change the login URL without modifying any code. We highly recommend taking this step to protect your site from potential attacks.
