how to hide WordPress version for security

Hiding the WordPress version number is an important security measure to help protect your website from targeted attacks. By removing or obscuring this information, you make it more difficult for malicious users to exploit known vulnerabilities specific to your version of WordPress. This article discusses several effective methods to hide your WordPress version from both your site’s header and feeds.

Use Functions.php to Remove Version Numbers

The most straightforward method to start with is editing the functions.php file of your active WordPress theme. You can add a small snippet of code that will remove the version number from all pages on your website. The code functions by hooking into the wp_enqueue_scripts action and removing the version parameter from all enqueued scripts and styles.

function remove_wp_version_strings($src) {
    global $wp_version;
    parse_str(parse_url($src, PHP_URL_QUERY), $query);
    if (!empty($query['ver']) && $query['ver'] === $wp_version) {
        $src = remove_query_arg('ver', $src);
    }
    return $src;
}
add_filter('script_loader_src', 'remove_wp_version_strings');
add_filter('style_loader_src', 'remove_wp_version_strings');

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

This code effectively strips out any query strings that reveal your WordPress version from your scripts and styles and also removes the version number from the generator meta tag in the header.

Modify .htaccess to Obscure Access

To further strengthen your defenses, consider making modifications to your .htaccess file, if you are on an Apache server. This file can be configured to prevent access to any of the internal files that output your WordPress version:

    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all



    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all

This snippet stops external access to readme.html and license.txt, which include version information.

Utilize Security Plugins

Several WordPress security plugins can help you with this task without requiring you to touch code. Plugins like iThemes Security, All In One WP Security & Firewall, and Wordfence Security provide easy options to remove version numbers from your website’s front end. These plugins generally offer additional security features, such as firewall protection, security hardening, and frequent scans, making them a worthwhile addition to your site.

Disable RSS Feed Version Information

If you use the functions file method, your RSS feeds might still include the WordPress version. You can add the following line of code to your functions.php file, which takes care of removing version numbers from your RSS feeds as well:

add_filter('the_generator', '__return_empty_string');

Keep WordPress Updated

While hiding your WordPress version is a sensible measure, always remember that the best defense against security threats is to keep your WordPress installation updated to the latest version. Updates include patches for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited if neglected.

Ensure Regular Backups

Even with all security measures in place, always ensure that you have regular backups of your entire website. If your site is compromised, a backup enables you to restore its functionality quickly.

By implementing these strategies, you can help protect your WordPress site from potential security vulnerabilities related to version disclosure. Remember, security is not just about one measure, but rather a combination of many layers of protection that work together to safeguard your online presence.