WordPress Security: Turn Off the XML-RPC Interface

Published: 2016-01-23

Since WordPress version 3.5, the XML-RPC interface is activated by default. That wouldn’t be too bad if WordPress weren’t the world’s most popular content management system. The interface does not only provide useful features but is also an important target for hackers. The invaders use the xmlrpc.php for their brute force attacks against WordPress more and more often, as attacking this interface is significantly more efficient and can be done with much less effort than other methods require. This is Why the XML-RPC Interface Exists The interface is a useful tool for the management of content. It is used to allow you to manage the website and write articles using the desktop and smartphone apps. It also takes care of pingbacks. The Pingback API enables a type of “connection” between the blogs while, at the same time, it’s an interface used to manage WordPress using external programs. Not only the WordPress API, but also the Blogger API, the metaWeblog API, the Movable Type API, and the Pingback API are supported. However, most users don’t need this interface, as they write their articles directly within WordPress. Also, the pingbacks of other blogs are not compulsively necessary. Why the xmlrpc.php is a Security Risk Password protected […]* You might also be interested in the following articlesNo Trespassing! Eight Essential .htaccess Tricks for WordPressWordPress Hacked? Keep Calm – This is What You Need to Do Now!WordPress Tips: Turn on DoFollow for Comments, Turn off Internal…At A Glance: How To Secure Your WordPress Site [Infographic]WordPress Multisite Tutorial: Multiple Blogs on a Single InstallationMastering WordPress Configuration – wp-config.php

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