Watch the whole course free on YouTube
FreeAll 4 lessons, with captions and chapters. Open the playlist on YouTube →
- Install Security Optimizer and Tour Its Dashboard
From the lesson
“Security Optimizer by SiteGround bundles a handful of the most useful website protections behind simple on-and-off switches. It's a free plugin from SiteGround, and anyone can install it from the WordPress plugin directory. Here is the part people often get wrong: it works on any web host at all. You do not need SiteGround hosting for it to work.” Watch the full lesson →
- Hide WordPress Version and Turn Off XML-RPC Safely
From the lesson
“The Site Security screen is a row of simple switches that quietly close doors attackers like to rattle. Let's understand what each one does before we flip any of them. Some switches protect almost every site, so we call them safe defaults. Others depend on how your site works, so they are a judgment call.” Watch the full lesson →
- Protect Your WordPress Login Page from Hackers
From the lesson
“The login page is the front door to running your site. That makes it the spot automated programs try hardest to guess their way into. Security Optimizer gives you a handful of switches that make that door much harder to rattle. None of these replaces a strong password. They simply cut down the noise.” Watch the full lesson →
- Check Your WordPress Activity Log and Respond to a Hack
From the lesson
“Before we touch the screen, let's understand why this matters. The Activity Log quietly writes down who did what on your site, and exactly when they did it. You can narrow the list to one person, or to one kind of event, so you find what matters quickly. A second list captures unknown visitors — the failed page requests and pokes that hint someone is testing your defenses.” Watch the full lesson →
Following along on your own site and stuck on something the video doesn't cover? Book a WordPress tutor — a live session on your own website, $85 an hour.
Security Optimizer by SiteGround is a free plugin that packs the most useful WordPress protections behind simple on-off switches. This short course shows you how to install it, turn on the right hardening, and lock down logins — and yes, it works on any host, not just SiteGround. By the end you'll have a leaner, better-defended site without wading through hundreds of settings.
What you'll learn
Most WordPress sites get compromised through weak logins and exposed surfaces rather than exotic hacks. Knowing how to use Security Optimizer by SiteGround lets you close those common gaps quickly, keep an eye on who is doing what through the activity log, and respond calmly if something does go wrong. You'll come away able to decide which hardening switches your site actually needs and how to keep just one security plugin doing the job well.
Inside the course
- Installing Security Optimizer & the Dashboard
- Site Security: Hardening Switches
- Login Security
- Activity Log & Post-Hack Actions
Who this course is for
This is for beginners and site owners who want solid protection without becoming security experts. No prior hardening experience is needed. If you'd rather read first, our free written tutorials cover the basics, and live 1-on-1 training is there if you want a hand on your own site.
Frequently asked questions
Does Security Optimizer by SiteGround only work on SiteGround hosting?
Is this course free to watch?
Can I run Security Optimizer alongside another security plugin?
Every one of the 4 lessons is free to watch — you just need a free WP Tutoring account. No card, no trial clock.
- All 4 lessons in this course
- Follow along on a clean WordPress install
- Keep your free account forever