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WordPress Security Tip: Disable PHP error reporting.

WordPress Security Tip: Disable PHP Error Reporting

Running a website on a VPS can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have full control over your server environment. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is ensuring the security of your WordPress site. In this article, we will discuss one crucial WordPress security tip: disabling PHP error reporting.

What is PHP Error Reporting?

PHP error reporting is a feature that displays errors encountered on your website. While this can be helpful during the development stage, it can pose a significant security risk when your site is live. By exposing your server paths and other sensitive information, it can provide potential hackers with a roadmap to exploit your site.

Why Should You Disable PHP Error Reporting?

Disabling PHP error reporting on your Server.HK hosted WordPress site is crucial for several reasons:

  • It prevents the exposure of sensitive information to potential hackers.
  • It helps maintain a professional appearance for your site. Seeing error messages can be off-putting to visitors.
  • It allows you to handle errors in a controlled manner, ensuring they are logged and addressed appropriately.

How to Disable PHP Error Reporting on Your WordPress Site

Disabling PHP error reporting on your WordPress site hosted on a VPS is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Edit Your wp-config.php File

The wp-config.php file is one of the most important files in your WordPress installation. To disable PHP error reporting, you need to add the following lines of code to this file:


define('WP_DEBUG', false);
@ini_set('display_errors', 0);

The first line sets the WP_DEBUG constant to false, which turns off the WordPress debugging mode. The second line prevents PHP errors from being displayed on your site.

2. Edit Your php.ini File

If you have access to your php.ini file on your cloud server, you can disable PHP error reporting by adding or modifying the following lines:


display_errors = Off
log_errors = On

The first line turns off the display of errors, while the second line ensures that errors are still logged for debugging purposes.

Conclusion

Securing your WordPress site on a VPS involves many steps, and disabling PHP error reporting is just one of them. While it may seem like a small change, it can significantly enhance your site’s security by preventing the exposure of sensitive information. Remember, the key to a secure WordPress site is a proactive approach to security, and every little step counts.