WordPress Security Score: Assess and Improve Your Protection

# WordPress Security Score: Assess and Improve Your Protection

A **security score** provides a synthetic view of your site's protection level. It helps you identify weaknesses and prioritize actions. Here's how it works and how to improve it.

## What Is a Security Score?

A security score is a **grade** (often out of 100) that aggregates several criteria: configuration, updates, vulnerabilities, best practices, etc. The higher the score, the better protected your site is considered.

## How Is It Calculated?

Criteria vary by tool, but you often find:

- **Updates**: WordPress, plugins, and themes up to date
- **Passwords**: Complexity and renewal policy
- **Authentication**: 2FA enabled or not
- **Firewall**: WAF active
- **Backups**: Presence and frequency
- **Permissions**: Files and directories correctly configured
- **Vulnerabilities**: No known CVEs on installed components
- **HTTPS**: Valid SSL certificate
- **Security headers**: HSTS, X-Frame-Options, etc.

Each criterion has a **weight** in the final calculation. Critical flaws (vulnerable plugins, no WAF) strongly impact the score.

## Why Improve Your Score?

### Risk Reduction

A high score means fewer exploitable **attack vectors**. You limit risks of hacking, malware, and data leaks.

### Reassurance

For **clients** or partners, a good security score strengthens trust. Some contracts require a minimum protection level.

### Prioritization

The score highlights **weak points** to address first. You know where to start to secure your site.

## How to Improve Your Score?

1. **Update** everything: WordPress, plugins, themes
2. **Enable 2FA** on administrator accounts
3. **Install a WAF** to block common attacks
4. **Configure automatic** and regular backups
5. **Fix identified vulnerabilities** (plugins, themes)
6. **Strengthen passwords** and avoid default credentials
7. **Verify file permissions** (755 for directories, 644 for files)
8. **Enable HTTPS** and configure security headers

## The V-Shield Security Score

V-Shield calculates a **security score** in real time based on:

- Anti-malware scan results
- Update status
- Known vulnerabilities
- WAF configuration
- Backup presence
- General best practices

The dashboard displays the score and concrete **recommendations** to improve it. You track your progress as you take action.

**V-Shield** helps you assess and strengthen your site's security. [Discover our features](/features) and [check our plans](/pricing) to get started.