5 Ways to Hide the Fact That Your Website Runs on WordPress

As a popular content management system (CMS), WordPress powers millions of websites across the internet. However, some website owners may want to hide the fact that their site is built on WordPress for various reasons. For instance, you may want to hide your WordPress installation for security purposes, to make it more difficult for hackers to target your site, or to prevent competitors from finding out which platform you are using.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore different ways to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress. We will cover various methods, including plugins, code snippets, and other techniques that you can use to obscure the fact that your site is built on WordPress.

Before we delve into the various methods of hiding your WordPress installation, let’s first understand why you may want to do this.

Why Hide the Fact That Your Website Runs on WordPress?

There are several reasons why website owners may want to hide the fact that their site is built on WordPress:

1. Security: By hiding your WordPress installation, you can make it more difficult for hackers to target your site. WordPress is a widely used CMS, and as such, it is a popular target for hackers. By hiding your WordPress installation, you can reduce the likelihood of your site being hacked.
2. Competitive advantage: You may not want your competitors to know that you are using WordPress as your CMS. By hiding the fact that your site is built on WordPress, you can prevent your competitors from finding out which platform you are using and potentially copying your strategy.
3. Branding: You may want to present a more professional image to your visitors and clients by hiding the fact that your site is built on WordPress.

Now that we have a better understanding of why you may want to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress, let’s explore some of the methods you can use to do this.

Use a Plugin to Hide Your WordPress Installation

One of the easiest ways to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress is to use a plugin. There are several plugins available that can help you obscure the fact that your site is built on WordPress.

When selecting a plugin to help hide your WordPress installation, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind:

• Compatibility: It is important to ensure that the plugin you choose is compatible with your version of WordPress and any other plugins or themes you are using.
• Performance: Some plugins may have a negative impact on your website’s performance, so it is important to carefully consider the potential impact on your site’s loading times and overall performance.
• Support: It is a good idea to select a plugin that is regularly updated and has a good track record of providing support to users. This can help ensure that any issues you encounter can be quickly resolved.
• Cost: Some plugins, such as Hide My WP, are premium plugins that require a license fee to use. Other plugins, such as WPS Hide Login, are free to use. It is important to consider your budget when selecting a plugin.

Some popular options include:

Hide My WP

This plugin allows you to hide your WordPress installation from attackers and theme detectors by changing the default URLs, paths, and names of your WordPress files. Some key features of Hide My WP include:

• The ability to change the default login URL to improve security
• The ability to hide the WordPress version number to prevent attackers from targeting known vulnerabilities
• The ability to rename your WordPress core files to make them harder to find and access
• The ability to block access to certain files and directories to further secure your site

One potential downside of Hide My WP is that it is a premium plugin, meaning you will need to purchase a license to use it on your website.

Hide My WP Ghost

This plugin offers similar functionality to Hide My WP, allowing you to change the default URLs, paths, and names of your WordPress files. Some key features of Hide My WP Ghost include:

• The ability to change the default login URL to improve security
• The ability to hide the WordPress version number to prevent attackers from targeting known vulnerabilities
• The ability to rename your WordPress core files to make them harder to find and access
• The ability to block access to certain files and directories to further secure your site
• The ability to hide the WordPress admin bar from non-admin users

One potential downside of Hide My WP Ghost is that it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure compared to some other plugins.

WP Hide & Security Enhancer

This plugin allows you to hide your WordPress installation by changing the default URLs, paths, and names of your WordPress files. Some key features of WP Hide & Security Enhancer include:

• The ability to change the default login URL to improve security
• The ability to hide the WordPress version number to prevent attackers from targeting known vulnerabilities
• The ability to rename your WordPress core files to make them harder to find and access
• The ability to block access to certain files and directories to further secure your site

One potential downside of WP Hide & Security Enhancer is that it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure compared to some other plugins.

WPS Hide Login

This plugin allows you to easily change the default login URL for your WordPress site, making it more difficult for attackers to find and access your login page. Some key features of WPS Hide Login include:

• The ability to customize the login URL to improve security
• The ability to redirect users who attempt to access the default login URL to a custom URL

One potential downside of WP-Hide is that it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure compared to some other plugins. However, it does offer a range of features that can help you hide your WordPress installation, making it a good option for those who are comfortable working with code.

Use a Security Plugin to Hide Your WordPress Installation

In addition to using a plugin specifically designed to hide your WordPress installation, you can also use a security plugin to obscure the fact that your site is built on WordPress. Some security plugins offer features that can help you hide your WordPress installation, including:

Wordfence Security

This plugin offers a range of security features, including the ability to block access to certain files and directories and hide the WordPress version number. It also includes a malware scanner and firewall to protect your site from potential threats. Some key features of Wordfence Security include:

• The ability to block access to certain files and directories to improve security
• The ability to hide the WordPress version number to prevent attackers from targeting known vulnerabilities
• A malware scanner to detect and remove malware from your site
• A firewall to block malicious traffic and protect your site from potential threats

One potential downside of Wordfence Security is that it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure compared to some other security plugins.

Defender Security

This plugin offers a range of security features, including the ability to change the default login URL and hide the WordPress version number. It also includes a malware scanner and firewall to protect your site from potential threats. Some key features of Defender Security include:

• The ability to change the default login URL to improve security
• The ability to hide the WordPress version number to prevent attackers from targeting known vulnerabilities
• A malware scanner to detect and remove malware from your site
• A firewall to block malicious traffic and protect your site from potential threats

One potential downside of Defender Security is that it may require more technical expertise to set up and configure compared to some other security plugins.

Use Code Snippets to Hide Your WordPress Installation

In addition to using a plugin or security plugin, you can also use code snippets to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress. Here are a few code snippets that you can use:

1. Hide the WordPress version number: To hide the WordPress version number, you can add the following code snippet to your functions.php file:

function wpb_remove_version() {
return '';
}
add_filter('the_generator', 'wpb_remove_version');

2. Change the default login URL: To change the default login URL for your WordPress site, you can use the following code snippet:

function login_protection() {
if ( strpos( strtolower( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] ), 'wp-login.php' ) !== false ) {
if ( ! is_user_logged_in() ) {
auth_redirect();
} else {
wp_redirect( get_bloginfo( 'url' ) );
exit;
}
}
}
add_action( 'init', 'login_protection' );

3. Change the default WordPress URLs: To change the default URLs for your WordPress site, you can use the following code snippet:

function custom_wp_admin_options() {
global $wp_admin_bar;
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('wp-logo');
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('about');
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('wporg');
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('documentation');
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('support-forums');
$wp_admin_bar->remove_menu('feedback');
}
add_action('wp_before_admin_bar_render', 'custom_wp_admin_options');

Use a Custom CMS to Hide Your WordPress Installation

Another option for hiding the fact that your website runs on WordPress is to use a custom CMS. A custom CMS is a platform that is built specifically for your site and is not based on an existing CMS such as WordPress. By using a custom CMS, you can completely obscure the fact that your site is built on WordPress.

However, it is worth noting that building a custom CMS can be a time-consuming and costly process. It may also require a higher level of technical expertise to set up and maintain.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we have explored different ways to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress. We have covered various methods, including plugins, code snippets, and custom CMS solutions, that you can use to obscure the fact that your site is built on WordPress.

Each method has its own pros and cons, and the best solution for your website will depend on your specific needs and goals. If you are looking for an easy and straightforward solution, using a plugin may be the best option. If you are looking for more advanced security features, a security plugin may be a better fit. Alternatively, if you want a completely custom solution, building a custom CMS may be the way to go.

Regardless of which method you choose, it is important to keep in mind that hiding your WordPress installation will not completely protect your site from potential threats. It is always a good idea to take other security measures, such as using a strong password and keeping your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date.

We hope this guide has been helpful in providing you with the information you need to hide the fact that your website runs on WordPress. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a WordPress developer or security expert.