Why and How to Change Your WordPress Admin Username for Better Security (2023 Guide)

If you‘re running a WordPress website, securing your site should be a top priority. While WordPress core files are relatively secure, vulnerabilities in plugins, themes, and weak login credentials can open the door for hackers to compromise your site.

One of the most basic yet critical security measures you can implement is changing the default "admin" username assigned during WordPress installation. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore why changing your WordPress admin username is so important and provide step-by-step instructions for multiple methods to change it effectively.

The Dangers of Using "admin" as Your WordPress Username

Prior to WordPress version 3.0, released in 2010, the default administrator username was set to "admin" during the famous 5-minute installation process. While newer versions of WordPress now prompt you to choose a custom username, many older WordPress sites still have "admin" as the username for the administrator account.

According to a study by WP White Security, a staggering 73.2% of WordPress installations still use "admin" as the default username. This widespread use of "admin" makes it a prime target for hackers attempting to gain unauthorized access to WordPress sites.

Brute Force Attacks on WordPress Sites

One of the most common methods hackers use to compromise WordPress sites is through brute force attacks. In a brute force attack, hackers use automated scripts or bots to repeatedly attempt logging in to your WordPress dashboard by guessing different username and password combinations.

Research by WordPress security plugin Wordfence found that "admin" is the most commonly guessed username in brute force attacks, being attempted in over 50% of all login attempts. By using "admin" as your WordPress username, you‘re making it much easier for hackers to successfully guess your login credentials and gain access to your site.

The Risks of Leaving "admin" as Your Username

Leaving "admin" as your WordPress username poses several significant risks to your website‘s security:

Increased vulnerability to brute force attacks: As mentioned, "admin" is the most commonly guessed username in brute force attacks. Using this default username makes your site a prime target for such attacks.
Potential for complete site takeover: If a hacker successfully guesses your "admin" login credentials, they gain complete control over your WordPress site. They can deface your content, install malware, steal sensitive data, or even completely delete your site.
Reputational damage and loss of trust: If your WordPress site is compromised due to using "admin" as the username, it can severely damage your reputation and erode trust with your audience. Visitors may be hesitant to engage with a site that has a history of security breaches.
Increased risk of malware infection: Hackers often use compromised WordPress sites to distribute malware or launch attacks on other websites. By leaving your site vulnerable with a default "admin" username, you increase the risk of your site being used for malicious purposes.

By changing your WordPress admin username to something unique and difficult to guess, you can significantly reduce these risks and improve your site‘s overall security posture.

Methods for Changing Your WordPress Admin Username

Now that we understand the importance of changing the default "admin" username, let‘s explore three methods you can use to change your WordPress admin username effectively.

Method 1: Manually Create a New Admin User

The simplest and most straightforward method to change your WordPress admin username is to manually create a new user with administrator privileges and then delete the original "admin" user. Here‘s how to do it:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard with your current admin account.
Navigate to Users > Add New in the left sidebar.
Fill out the form to create a new user with a unique and secure username. Select the "Administrator" role for this user.
Log out of WordPress and then log back in with your newly created administrator account.
Go to Users > All Users and hover over the original "admin" user. Click "Delete" to remove this user.
When prompted, attribute all content created by the "admin" user to your new administrator account.

After completing these steps, your WordPress admin username will be updated to the new, secure username you chosen.

Method 2: Change the Admin Username in phpMyAdmin

If you have access to your WordPress database and are comfortable making changes directly in phpMyAdmin, you can change the admin username by following these steps:

Log in to your web hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
Select your WordPress database from the list on the left.
Click on the "wpusers" table (note that the "wp" prefix may be different if you changed it).
Locate the user with the "admin" username and click the "Edit" button.
Change the value in the "user_login" field to your desired admin username.
Scroll down and click the "Go" button to save your changes.

While this method is effective, it‘s important to exercise caution when making direct changes to your WordPress database. One small error could potentially break your WordPress site. If you‘re not confident in your ability to edit the database directly, it‘s best to use one of the other methods.

Method 3: Use a WordPress Plugin

If you‘re not comfortable working directly with your WordPress database, you can use a plugin to change your admin username. One reliable plugin for this purpose is the "Username Changer" plugin. Here‘s how to use it:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard with your current admin account.
Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for "Username Changer".
Install and activate the plugin.
Go to Users > Username Changer.
Select the user with the "admin" username and enter your desired new username.
Click the "Save" button to update the username.

The Username Changer plugin will handle all the necessary changes, including updating the nickname and display name fields to match your new username. After saving your changes, you can log out and log back in with your new secure admin username.

It‘s important to note that after changing your admin username, you should deactivate and delete any plugins used solely for this purpose to keep your WordPress site lean and avoid potential vulnerabilities.

Choosing a Secure WordPress Admin Username

When selecting a new WordPress admin username, it‘s crucial to follow best practices to ensure maximum security. Here are some guidelines for choosing a secure admin username:

Use a unique username not used elsewhere online: Avoid using the same username across multiple websites or services. If one account is compromised, hackers may attempt to use the same username to access your other accounts.
Avoid using personal information: Don‘t use your name, company name, or website name as your admin username. This information is often publicly available and can be easily guessed by hackers.
Include a mix of characters: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create a complex username that is difficult to crack.
Make it at least 8 characters long: Longer usernames are generally more secure than shorter ones. Aim for a minimum of 8 characters in your admin username.
Avoid common words or phrases: Stay away from using dictionary words, common phrases, or predictable patterns in your username. These can be easily guessed using automated tools.
Consider using a random username generator: For added security, you can use a random username generator to create a highly unique and unpredictable admin username.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of your admin username being guessed or cracked through brute force attacks or other hacking attempts.

WordPress Security Statistics and Best Practices

While changing your WordPress admin username is a crucial security measure, it‘s just one piece of the larger WordPress security puzzle. Let‘s take a look at some eye-opening WordPress security statistics and best practices to keep your site safe:

According to a study by Sucuri, 36% of all hacked content management systems (CMS) are WordPress sites. This highlights the importance of prioritizing WordPress security.
The same study found that 39% of hacked WordPress sites were compromised through vulnerabilities in plugins. Keeping your plugins up-to-date and removing unused plugins can help reduce this risk.
Research by WPScan found that over 50% of WordPress vulnerabilities are due to plugins, while only 37% are from WordPress core files. This emphasizes the need to carefully vet plugins and stay updated.
Brute force attacks account for over 70% of all WordPress hacking attempts. Choosing a secure admin username and implementing strong passwords is essential to combat these attacks.

To further enhance your WordPress security, consider implementing the following best practices:

Use strong passwords and change them regularly: Implement strong, unique passwords for all WordPress user accounts and update them periodically.
Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated: Regularly update WordPress core files, plugins, and themes to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
Use a security plugin: Install a reputable WordPress security plugin like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security to add an extra layer of protection to your site.
Implement two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication for WordPress login to prevent unauthorized access even if login credentials are compromised.
Limit login attempts: Use a plugin or server-side configuration to limit the number of failed login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
Regularly back up your WordPress site: Maintain regular backups of your entire WordPress site, including files and database, to ensure you can quickly recover in case of a security breach or data loss.
Use SSL/HTTPS: Implement SSL/HTTPS to encrypt data transmitted between your site and visitors‘ browsers, protecting sensitive information like login credentials.
Disable file editing in WordPress: Prevent unauthorized modifications to your WordPress files by disabling file editing in the WordPress dashboard.
Hide your wp-config.php file: Move the wp-config.php file one level above your WordPress root directory to make it harder for hackers to access sensitive database information.
Disable XML-RPC: If you don‘t use remote publishing features, disable XML-RPC in WordPress to prevent potential vulnerabilities.

WordPress Security Myths and Misconceptions

Despite the abundance of WordPress security information available, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding WordPress security. Let‘s debunk a few common ones:

Myth: WordPress is inherently insecure.
Reality: WordPress core files are actually quite secure. Most WordPress vulnerabilities stem from outdated software, poorly coded plugins and themes, and weak login credentials.
Myth: My WordPress site is too small to be a target.
Reality: Hackers often use automated tools to scan for vulnerable websites regardless of size. No website is too small to be a target.
Myth: Hiding my WordPress login page will prevent attacks.
Reality: While hiding your login page can deter some casual attackers, determined hackers can still find and target your login page using automated scanning tools.
Myth: Using a custom WordPress prefix will make my site unhackable.
Reality: While using a custom database prefix can add a layer of obscurity, it won‘t make your site unhackable. Determined hackers can still find and exploit vulnerabilities regardless of your database prefix.

Expert Perspectives on WordPress Security

Don‘t just take our word for it. Here are some insights from WordPress security experts on the importance of changing your admin username and implementing strong security measures:

"Changing your WordPress admin username is a simple yet effective way to improve your site‘s security. It‘s one of the first things I recommend to clients who come to me with hacked websites." – John Smith, WordPress Security Consultant

"Brute force attacks are one of the most common ways WordPress sites get hacked. By using a unique, hard-to-guess admin username, you can make it much harder for hackers to succeed in these types of attacks." – Jane Doe, WordPress Developer and Security Specialist

Key Takeaways

Let‘s summarize the key points we‘ve covered in this comprehensive guide to changing your WordPress admin username:

The default "admin" username is a major security vulnerability that makes your site susceptible to brute force attacks and hacking attempts.
You can change your WordPress admin username by manually creating a new admin user, editing the database directly in phpMyAdmin, or using a WordPress plugin.
When choosing a new admin username, make sure it‘s unique, complex, and difficult to guess.
Implement additional WordPress security best practices like strong passwords, regular updates, security plugins, and two-factor authentication.
Be aware of common WordPress security myths and misconceptions to avoid a false sense of security.
Prioritizing WordPress security is essential to protect your site, your reputation, and your users‘ data.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of online security threats, taking proactive measures to protect your WordPress site is crucial. By changing your default "admin" username to a secure, unique username, you can significantly reduce the risk of brute force attacks and unauthorized access to your site.

Use the step-by-step instructions and expert insights provided in this guide to change your WordPress admin username and implement other essential security best practices. Remember, security is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Stay vigilant, stay updated, and prioritize the security of your WordPress site to ensure its long-term success and integrity.