How to Create a Security.txt File in WordPress

Security.txt WordPress is one of those small security improvements that many website owners overlook. Yet it can make a real difference when someone discovers a vulnerability on your site and needs a way to report it responsibly.

WordPress powers 43% of websites, which makes it a common target for automated scans and security attacks. Researchers often look for a clear point of contact before reporting a security issue. Without one, valuable reports can go unnoticed.

That’s where the security.txt file comes in. It gives security researchers a standard location to find contact details, disclosure policies, and instructions for reporting vulnerabilities.

The setup takes only a few minutes, but it can help your team respond faster to potential threats and improve your site’s overall security posture. In this guide, you’ll learn what a WordPress security.txt file is, why it matters, and how to add it correctly.

What is Security.txt: A WordPress Security Game Changer?

security.txt is a suggested standard for specifying security policy. For WordPress sites, it’s a simple text file in a specific area that instructs security researchers on how to disclose vulnerabilities.

This basic approach can make responsible vulnerability disclosure much easier.

Edwin Foudil and Yakov Shafranovich created security.txt in 2017. Since then it’s gone wild in the tech world. A 2023 study by Sectigo found 34% of top sites now use security.txt so it’s getting big in the security world.

Google, GitHub, and Facebook have already implemented security.txt; now it’s your turn. This is more than just a trend; it is a movement toward increased security.

Security.txt 101

Consider security.txt a digital doorbell for your WordPress site. It’s a simple text file in a standard format that includes:

1. Contact for security issues 
2. Encryption key for communication 
3. Security policy link 
4. Preferred languages 
5. Acknowledgments for security researchers

It is commonly found in your WordPress site’s “well-known” directory, so automated scanners and security researchers know where to check for it on all sites.

Benefits for WordPress Website Owners

Add security.txt to your WordPress site:

1. Easier vulnerability reporting: Security researchers may identify the appropriate contact information and submit concerns more quickly.
2. Faster response times: With communication channels open, you can respond to security issues quickly.
3. Proactive security: Having a security.txt file shows that you care about security, which may avoid some attackers.
4. Reputation: Visible security builds trust with your customers and stakeholders.

Here is an example. WPSecure, a small e-commerce WordPress site, added security.txt to their site. Within 24 hours they got a severe vulnerability notification and were able to fix it before any data was compromised. That could have saved them money and their reputation.

Add Security.txt to Your WordPress Site

Now that we know why security.txt is important, let’s add it to your WordPress site. You have two options: manual and plugin. Each has its pros and cons, so let’s break them down:

Manual Step-by-Step Instructions

If you are familiar with file management, here’s how to do it manually:

• Create a file named “security.txt” 
• Add the information (contact details, encryption key, policy link, etc.). 
• Save the file to the “.well-known” directory of your WordPress site. 
• If the directory doesn’t exist, create it in the root folder.
• Set file permissions to 644

You may need to add this to your .htaccess file to handle requests correctly:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
 
RewriteEngine On 

RewriteRule ^.well-known/security.txt$ /security.txt [L] 

</IfModule>

Manual implementation allows you complete control, but it takes technical expertise and upkeep.

Plugin-Based Implementation: The Easy Way

If you want an easy fix, there are WordPress plugins to aid with security.txt.

Security.txt Manager: A user-friendly interface for creating and managing security.txt files.

WP Security Headers: Provides extra security features, but also manages security.txt files.

• To add security.txt using a plugin:
• Install and activate the plugin.
• Go to the plugin settings.
• Fill in the fields
• Save and publish

Plugin-based is easier to use and often auto updates. But may have limitations in customization and can conflict with other plugins.

Best Practices For Good Security.txt

A security.txt file contains more than simply basic information. Here are some best practices to help your file perform its function.

Must-Haves

A decent security.txt should contain:

1. Contact: Provide an email address or phone number for security issues.
2. Encryption key: Link to your PGP key. PGP is an encryption app that encrypts privacy and authenticates data.
3. Policy: Link to your full vulnerability disclosure policy.
4. Acknowledgments: Credit security researchers who have helped your site.
5. Languages: What languages your team speaks?

Maintenance

An out-of-date security.txt is worse than having none at all. To keep yours current:

• Set reminders to review your security.txt every 3 months
• Update contact info as soon as changes happen
• Check all links in the file regularly
• Keep your encryption keys current
• Use a security.txt validator to check yours. 

Maintenance shows you care about security and researchers can always find you when they need to.

Security.txt Concerns

While security.txt has many benefits some WordPress site owners may have concerns. Let’s address those:

1. Performance impact: security.txt is a tiny static file that barely touches performance. If using a plugin choose a lightweight one to minimize any impact.
2. Compatibility issues: Manual works with everything. If using a plugin make sure it’s compatible with your WordPress version and other plugins. Keep your WordPress core and plugins up to date to stay compatible.
3. Security risks: Some worry that security.txt will expose vulnerabilities. In reality, it makes responsible disclosure easier. It doesn’t reveal any sensitive information about your site’s structure or vulnerabilities. Instead, it provides a clear way for researchers to report issues.
4. Maintenance overhead: While security.txt needs to be updated it doesn’t need to be updated often. Set a reminder to review the file every 3 months and update it as soon as contact information changes. Automated tools or managed hosting services like Rocon can help with that.
5. More spam: Some site owners worry publishing contact info will get more spam. Use a dedicated email for security reports and strong spam filters.

Conclusion

Adding a security.txt file to your WordPress site is easy and effective. This little file makes vulnerability reporting easier for researchers, shows you care about user data, and helps you fix issues before they become problems. 

Whether manual or via a plugin security.txt is a proactive step to harden your site against threats. Don’t wait for a breach to act – add this simple tool to your site today. Protecting your WordPress site has never been so easy or important.

Security.txt for WordPress FAQs

1. What is a security.txt file?

A security.txt file is a standard text file that tells security researchers how to report vulnerabilities found on your website. It typically includes contact information, disclosure policies, and response guidelines.

2. How do I check if a website has a security.txt file?

Visit yourdomain.com/.well-known/security.txt in your browser. You can also use a security.txt checker tool to verify whether the file exists and follows the correct format.

3. How do I check if a website has a security.txt file?

Visit yourdomain.com/.well-known/security.txt in your browser. You can also use a security.txt checker tool to verify whether the file exists and follows the correct format.

4. What does “security.txt not configured” mean?

It means your website does not have a valid security.txt file in the required location. Security researchers may have difficulty reporting vulnerabilities if the file is missing.

5. Is a security.txt file required?

No, it is not mandatory. However, many organizations use security.txt to make vulnerability reporting easier and demonstrate a commitment to security.

6. Is it safe to delete license.txt in WordPress?

Yes. The license.txt file contains WordPress licensing information and is not required for your website to function. Many site owners remove it to reduce unnecessary information exposure.

7. Why do security scanners flag WordPress license.txt?

The license.txt file can reveal that your website is running WordPress. Some security tools flag it because attackers may use this information during reconnaissance.

8. Does license.txt expose the WordPress version?

In some cases, security scanners may use license.txt alongside other files to identify your WordPress installation. While the file itself does not always display the exact version, removing it can reduce information disclosure.

9. Should I remove readme.html and license.txt from WordPress?

Many security professionals recommend removing or restricting access to both files. They are not needed for normal site operation and can provide clues about your WordPress installation.

10. How do I hide my WordPress version for better security?

Keep WordPress updated, remove unnecessary files like readme.html and license.txt, disable version output in source code, and use a security plugin to limit version disclosure.