Your WordPress root directory is where your website’s core files live. If it’s exposed, your site could be at risk from hackers, bots, or even accidental mishandling. To protect your site and ensure optimal performance, it’s important to know how to access and secure your root directory properly. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process – and show you exactly how Shield Security PRO can be your ultimate bodyguard for your WordPress site! 

How to find your WordPress root directory

The root directory – often called public, public_html, htdocs, or www – is the top-level directory of your WordPress installation. Within this directory, you’ll find several files and three primary folders, each serving a unique and essential role in the functionality of your WordPress site.

The wp-content folder

wp_content contains the majority of what you upload (such as images, plugins, and themes) and install on your WordPress site. It holds the elements that define your site’s appearance and capabilities.

Due to its user-accessible and modifiable design, wp-content is the primary location where website owners and developers can add custom code, themes, and plugins.

Here’s a breakdown of what it typically contains:

  • A themes subdirectory, which holds all the themes you’ve installed on your WordPress site. Each one will have its own folder within the themes directory.
  • A plugins folder containing all the plugins that you’ve added to your WordPress site. Similar to themes, each plugin will have its own folder.
  • An uploads subdirectory where all your media files will be stored, such as images, videos, and documents (uploaded when you create posts and pages). Typically, these are organised into folders by year and month.
  • Other custom subfolders and files: Depending on your website, you might have additional directories and files for custom functionalities. These are usually added by plugins or custom development.

The wp-includes folder

The wp-includes folder is like a toolbox filled with all the essential tools WordPress needs to work properly:

  • Basic PHP files and functions that the system uses to do its everyday tasks.
  • Layout and design files that make sure the website looks great and works well on different devices.
  • Scripts and functions for managing links, handling media (like photos and videos), and many other features.

💡 Tip: Don’t work with this folder directly unless you’re an advanced user and know what you’re doing. Changes to these files can lead to issues with updates, security vulnerabilities, and potential breakdowns of site functionalities. Customisations and extensions should be done through themes and plugins, not by altering core files.

The wp-admin folder

This folder has all the files necessary for your WordPress site’s administrative backend. It contains:

  • Files that are responsible for generating the user interface of the WordPress dashboard, including the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that create the visual layout and interactive elements of the admin dashboard area.
  • The WordPress AJAX endpoint is located within the wp-admin folder, even though not all WordPress AJAX requests are WP admin requests.

Direct modifications to core files in the wp-admin directory are strongly discouraged, as they can be overwritten during WordPress updates. Instead, customisation is typically done through plugins or child themes.

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To access your WordPress root directory, you’ll typically use the file manager provided by your hosting service or an FTP client (like FileZilla). Once you’re in the file manager or FTP client, navigate to the root directory, and you’ll see the core WordPress folders and files. 

💻 You can access the file manager:

– Through your hosting provider’s dashboard or control panel (such as cPanel).
– Directly via URL by typing in your server’s hostname followed by the port address 2083. The URL format will look something like this: https://ServerHostname:2083.

Tips for managing your WordPress root directory

Maintaining a clean and well-organised WordPress root directory is crucial for both security and performance optimisation. A cluttered or poorly managed directory can:

  • Increase the risk of security breaches.
  • Complicate troubleshooting.
  • Negatively impact your site’s performance and load times.

On the other hand, an organised root directory makes maintenance easier and improves the effectiveness of security tools like Shield Security PRO in detecting and flagging any suspicious files.

“A clean root directory reduces scan noise and makes it easy to spot when there are files that shouldn’t be there.” — Paul Goodchild, Creator of Shield Security PRO

Firstly, when might you need to access or edit your root directory? 

  • Accessing log files: Your root directory often contains valuable log files that can help diagnose issues such as server errors or plugin malfunctions.
  • Modifying configuration for debugging: Sometimes, to pinpoint the root cause of a problem, you may need to enable WordPress to debug mode by editing the wp-config.php file. Always monitor such changes with Shield Security PRO to ensure they don’t expose your site to unnecessary risks.
  • Fixing errors: Corrupted files, like .htaccess, can cause critical errors like “HTTP 500.” Repairing or resetting files in the root directory can resolve these issues, but it’s essential to keep Shield Security PRO active to detect any further abnormalities.
  • Backup and restoration: Accessing all files in the root directory is essential for performing a manual backup or restoration. Using Shield Security PRO adds another layer of security, ensuring that your backups are secure and haven’t been tampered with.

When you have established this, you need to follow some essential steps to keep your root directory secure:

  • Implement security measures: Protect your root directory by setting correct file permissions (usually 755 for directories and 644 for files). With Shield Security PRO, you can automate the monitoring of file permissions and ensure no unauthorised changes are made.
  • Regularly update WordPress: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date. Updates often include security patches that reduce vulnerabilities. Shield Security PRO helps ensure that updates don’t interfere with your site’s security settings by scanning for any issues before and after updates.
  • Use a child theme: When customising your site, always use a child theme instead of modifying core WordPress files. This prevents your changes from being overwritten during updates and works seamlessly alongside Shield Security PRO, which will monitor any file changes for added security.
  • Clean up regularly: Periodically remove unused files, plugins, and themes to reduce clutter and minimise the risk of vulnerabilities. Shield Security PRO assists in this by flagging outdated or suspicious files that may pose security risks.
  • Restrict access: Limit access to your root directory by only giving permissions to trusted individuals and using strong, unique passwords for your hosting account. Shield’s Advanced Login Protection features add an extra layer of defense, ensuring only authorised users gain access.
  • Use a staging environment: Always make changes in a staging environment before deploying them live. This allows you to test modifications without risking site stability. Shield Security PRO can be configured to run in staging environments to ensure security measures are consistent across your site.

⭐ Golden Rule: Always backup your site before making changes to your root directory. Having a recent backup means you can quickly recover from errors or issues that arise during modifications. Using Shield Security PRO ensures that your backup files are secured and protected from tampering.

But how can you ensure the security of your entire website, including its core folders and files?

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Streamlining security: Shield Security PRO’s root file protection features

Shield Security PRO offers an advanced suite of features designed to protect your WordPress root directory against various online threats. If you want to prevent unauthorised modifications or ensure the integrity of critical files, Shield Security PRO provides a comprehensive solution, integrating smoothly into your WordPress ecosystem to deliver unparalleled peace of mind and security.

Here’s how Shield Security PRO protects your WordPress root directory:

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Shield Security PRO’s malware scanner constantly monitors your WordPress site – including the root directory – for signs of malicious activity or file corruption. It alerts you to any suspicious changes, helping you stop threats before they can cause damage.

FileLocker

Shield Security PRO’s FileLocker is an exclusive feature that locks down essential root files like .htaccess, wp-config.php, and index.php. This feature prevents unauthorised changes, ensuring these vital files stay secure. You can even review changes and restore files to their original state in case of corruption or hacking attempts.

Customisable scanning

Recognising that every WordPress site is unique, Shield Security PRO allows you to fine-tune your scanning process by specifying which files to include or exclude. This ensures that your root directory is protected without interrupting your specific workflows or customisations.

Comprehensive root file protection

With Shield Security PRO, you can decide how to handle suspicious files in your root directory. Choose between manual review for full control or opt for automated file repair, where Shield Security PRO restores files to a known secure state – minimising downtime and disruptions.

silentCAPTCHA

Automated bots are one of the most common threats to your WordPress root directory. Shield Security PRO’s silentCAPTCHA identifies, blocks, and prevents bots from interacting with your site, offering a powerful first line of defense against malicious actors targeting your root files.

By integrating Shield Security PRO into your WordPress site, you can ensure uninterrupted security, performance, and peace of mind—protecting your root directory and the core of your website’s infrastructure from even the most persistent threats.

Troubleshooting: Common root directory issues and fixes

1. Update failures

Occasionally, WordPress updates fail, leaving behind temporary files or corrupting existing ones. This can cause issues with your site’s functionality.

Solution: Manually update WordPress by uploading the latest version, but be cautious not to overwrite the wp-content folder or wp-config.php file, as these hold critical data and configurations. Using Shield Security PRO’s automatic scanning, you can make sure that any unauthorised changes to critical files during updates are flagged instantly, allowing you to take quick action.

2. Incorrect file permissions

Improper file permissions can create security vulnerabilities or prevent your WordPress site from functioning properly.

Solution: A general rule is to set directory permissions to 755 and file permissions to 644. You can adjust these via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager. However, permissions might vary depending on your server environment, so ensure file ownership is properly set to prevent unauthorised access. To further protect these files, Shield Security PRO helps you monitor and lock down a site, preventing unauthorised alterations.

For added security, use more restrictive permissions like 750 for directories and 640 for files if the web server owns the files. Consult your hosting provider if you’re unsure which permissions are ideal for your setup.

3. Corrupted .htaccess file

A corrupted .htaccess file can result in 500 internal server errors or broken permalinks.

Solution: Start by backing up the .htaccess file. Then, generate a new one by navigating to your WordPress dashboard and re-saving your permalink settings. If the original file contained custom configurations, you’ll need to reapply them manually after the new file is created. With Shield Security PRO’s FileLocker feature, you can make sure important files like .htaccess are protected from unauthorised changes, minimising the risk of corruption and errors.


⚠️ Alert: Always backup your site before making any changes to the root directory. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong. If you’re unsure how to proceed, it’s safer to consult a professional rather than risk the integrity of your site through experimentation. An expert can provide proper guidance and prevent further issues.

Maintaining a secure and efficient WordPress root directory with Shield Security PRO

The ability to access and modify your WordPress files is a valuable skill for site owners. For those who possess the technical knowledge and confidence, navigating through the root directory can empower you to resolve issues independently, improve your site’s security, and tailor your website to your specific needs.

Implementing robust security measures and performing regular maintenance are also essential steps in safeguarding your WordPress site. Using Shield Security PRO for this offers peace of mind and a higher level of control over your site’s security.

Embrace the power of professional-grade security and see the difference it makes in your site’s performance and reliability. Get started with Shield Security PRO now and fortify your WordPress root directory against the ever-evolving threats of the digital world!