When you run a WordPress website, keeping it secure and optimized is crucial. One common practice to enhance security is to remove WordPress version number. While this might seem like a minor detail, it can actually help protect your site from potential vulnerabilities and attacks. In this guide, we’ll show you the right way to remove the WordPress version number.
Why Remove the WordPress Version Number?
WordPress version numbers are often targeted by attackers because they can provide valuable information about the software running on your site. By knowing the version number, hackers can exploit known vulnerabilities that exist in specific versions of WordPress.
How to Remove WordPress Version Number
There are several ways to remove WordPress version number, but we’ll focus on the safest and most effective method using a code snippet in your theme’s functions.php file.
Step 1: Access Your Theme’s functions.php File
To begin, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor. Select the functions.php file from the list of theme files on the right-hand side.
Step 2: Add the Code Snippet
Next, add the following code snippet to the bottom of your functions.php file:
function remove_wp_version() {
return '';
}
add_filter('the_generator', 'remove_wp_version');
This code snippet creates a function called remove_wp_version that returns an empty string, effectively removing the WordPress version number from your site’s HTML output.
Step 3: Save Your Changes
After adding the code snippet, click the “Update File” button to save your changes to the functions.php file.
Step 4: Verify the Removal
To verify that the WordPress version number has been removed, you can view the page source of your website. Right-click on your website in your browser and select “View Page Source.” Look for the generator meta tag in the head section of the HTML code. It should no longer display the WordPress version number.
Conclusion
By removing the WordPress version number, you can help protect your site from potential security threats. It’s a simple yet effective step towards enhancing the security of your WordPress website. Remember to always keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date to further strengthen your site’s security posture.