(And What to Do Instead)
If your website is built on WordPress, there’s a small detail that can make a big difference to your website’s security: your username.
One of the most common setups I still see on WordPress websites is a user account called admin. It might seem harmless – after all, WordPress has used it as a default in the past – but it’s also one of the easiest ways to make your site a target.
Why user id: “admin” is a problem
Hackers and automated bots don’t usually start by guessing random usernames. They start with the most obvious ones.
And admin is always at the top of that list.
If your username is admin, anyone trying to break into your site already knows half of your login details. They only need to guess the password – and automated attacks can try thousands of combinations very quickly.
Even if you have a strong password, using a predictable username makes your website more vulnerable than it needs to be.
“But my website is small – does It matter?”
Yes. And this is a common misconception.
Most WordPress attacks aren’t targeted at specific businesses. They’re automated. Bots scan the internet looking for WordPress sites with known weaknesses – default usernames, outdated plugins, missing updates.
They don’t care whether you’re a sole trader, a local accountant, or a large company.
If the door looks easy to open, they’ll try it.
What you should use instead
Your WordPress username should be:
- Unique
- Not publicly visible on your website
- Not the same as your business name or email address
Something simple but unpredictable is perfect. It doesn’t need to be clever — just not obvious.
How to fix it safely
If your site already uses admin, don’t just rename the user or delete it without care.
The safest approach is:
- Create a new administrator account with a unique username
- Log in using the new account
- Transfer ownership of content if needed
- Remove the old admin user
If that sounds uncomfortable or confusing, that’s completely normal. This is one of those “small but important” tasks that’s easy to get wrong if you’re unsure.
Security is about layers
Changing your username won’t magically make your website invincible — and it doesn’t need to.
Good website security is about layers:
- Strong, unique usernames
- Secure passwords
- Regular WordPress, theme, and plugin updates
- Backups
- Monitoring
Each step reduces risk. Together, they make your website much harder to compromise.
Be proactive and security aware
Your website is a critical part of your business. It doesn’t need constant attention – but it does need to be set up properly.
If you’re not sure whether your WordPress site is secure, or you’d like someone to quietly take care of these details for you, it’s always worth asking.
Getting it right the first time is far easier than fixing things later.
Your website is one of your most important business assets – especially as a local business.
I write about being wise online, so when someone searches for you, they find a website that is clear and presents you as credible and trustworthy.
