Changing your WordPress password is an important step towards guaranteeing the security of your website. A strong password can assist in preventing unauthorized access and safeguarding your website against potential risks. If you fear your password has been compromised or simply wish to change it for security reasons, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change your WordPress password. But first, let’s look at why you should update your WordPress password.
Reasons for changing WordPress Password
1. Restricted Access
If you’ve shared your WordPress password with others who no longer require access to your website’s dashboard, changing your password ensures that only authorized individuals can log in.
2. Public Computer Security
Leaving your WordPress account logged in on a public computer can compromise your security. Changing your password mitigates the risk of unauthorized access from such devices.
3. Security Breach Response
In case of a security breach or suspicious activity, promptly changing your password is crucial to protect your website and data from further compromise.
4. Routine Security Practice
Regularly changing your password is a recommended security practice that reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, even if there hasn’t been a specific incident.
5. Password Recovery
Forgetting your password is a common scenario. Changing your password allows you to regain access to your WordPress account and continue managing your website effectively.
Ways to change wordpress password.
Method 1: How to change WordPress Password in seconds
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
First, you will need to log in to your WordPress dashboard. This can be done by entering your login credentials (username and password) on the login page.
2. Access your user profile
Once you are logged in, navigate to the Users section in the left-hand menu and click on your user profile.
This will take you to your profile page where you can manage your account settings.
3. Change your password
On your user profile page, scroll down to the Account Management section and you will see an option to generate a new password.
Click on the Generate Password button to automatically create a strong password for your account. WordPress will generate a strong password automatically.
You can keep it or enter a new one.
4. Update your password
After generating or entering a new password, click on the Update Profile button to save the changes.
Your password will now be updated and you will need to use the new password to log in to your WordPress dashboard.
5. Confirm the password change
To confirm that your password has been successfully changed, log out of your WordPress dashboard and log back in using the new password. If you can log in successfully, this means that the password change was successful.
Method 2: How to Change WordPress Password if you’re locked out
If you’re unable to access your WordPress dashboard to change your password, don’t worry. You can easily recover your lost password by visiting the WordPress login page (https://example.com/wp-login.php) and clicking on the ‘Lost your password?’ link.
Follow these steps:
1. Go to the WordPress login page.
2. Click on the ‘Lost your password?’ link.
3. Enter your WordPress username or email address.
4. WordPress will send a password reset link to your email.
By following these steps, you can regain access to your WordPress account quickly and easily
Method 3: How to change WordPress Password from the database
To change your WordPress password directly from the database using phpMyAdmin, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your WordPress hosting account’s control panel (e.g., cPanel).
2. Navigate to the ‘phpMyAdmin’ tool in the Databases section.
3. Select the database associated with your WordPress site.
4. Locate and click on the `wp_users` table in the list of tables for your WordPress database.
5. Click on the ‘Browse’ link next to the `wp_users` table to view all WordPress user accounts.
6. Find your user account and click on the ‘Edit’ link next to it.
7. In the user information form displayed, locate the `user_pass` field.
8. Delete the current value in the `user_pass` field and enter your new password.
9. In the ‘Function’ column for the `user_pass` field, select ‘MD5’ from the drop-down menu.
10. Click the ‘Go’ button to save the changes.
That’s it! Your WordPress password has been successfully updated directly through the database using phpMyAdmin.
Best practices for password management:
a). Use Strong Passwords
Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !, @, #, $, etc.). Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words.
b). Unique Passwords for Each Account
Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. If one account is compromised, using unique passwords ensures that other accounts remain secure.
c). Password Manager
Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely. Password managers can also help you manage passwords across different devices without having to remember each one.
d). Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication for your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password, such as a code sent to your phone or email.
e). Regularly Update Passwords
Change your passwords periodically, ideally every 3-6 months. This practice reduces the risk of long-term exposure if a password is compromised.
f). Be Cautious with Security Questions
Avoid using easily obtainable information for security questions, as these can sometimes be used to reset passwords. Consider using answers that are not publicly accessible or using a password manager to generate and store these answers securely.
g). Beware of Phishing Attempts
Be vigilant against phishing scams that attempt to trick you into revealing your password or other sensitive information. Verify the legitimacy of websites and emails before entering any login credentials.
h). Educate Yourself and Others
Stay informed about current security threats and educate others, such as friends and family, about the importance of strong password practices.
Conclusion
In this post, we covered three distinct techniques for changing WordPress passwords. Some of these ways allow you to change or reset both your own and other users’ passwords.
Regardless of how you reset the password for your WordPress account, you must use only strong passwords. We also reviewed best practices for WordPress password protection to ensure account security.