SlickStack uses a layered and opinionated security model for WordPress servers. Its defaults combine Ubuntu firewall rules, Cloudflare integration, encrypted traffic, controlled file permissions, automated maintenance, and a limited WordPress plugin footprint.
These protections reduce common risks, but they do not replace strong account security, software updates, off-site backups, and regular monitoring by the server administrator.
Network and firewall protection
SlickStack installs and manages Ubuntu’s UFW firewall. UFW limits exposed services using a simpler interface over Linux firewall rules, while Cloudflare can provide an additional edge layer for DNS, DDoS protection, rate limiting, and custom security rules.
Fail2ban is not bundled by default. SlickStack considers UFW together with Cloudflare adequate for most installations, although advanced administrators can add fail2ban or another package through a custom module when needed.
See fail2ban and IPtables support for the current approach.
SSL and encrypted traffic
SlickStack supports encrypted traffic between visitors, Cloudflare, and the origin server. The exact certificate workflow depends on the SSL option selected for the server. The ss encrypt command installs or repairs certificates using the configured SSL mode.
Keep the Cloudflare SSL setting consistent with the certificate installed on the origin. After changing domains, SSL settings, or certificates, confirm that both HTTPS and the origin connection work correctly.
WordPress and plugin security
SlickStack is designed as a controlled stack. Nginx, PHP-FPM, MySQL, WordPress, caching, cron jobs, and permissions are managed together, so overlapping optimization or security plugins can introduce conflicts without improving protection.
Keep WordPress Core, active themes, and active plugins updated. Remove software that is no longer used, use trusted sources, and avoid plugins that store public backup archives, generate excessive logs, or duplicate server-level features.
See Blacklisted WordPress Plugins for categories that SlickStack may remove for security or stability reasons.
Permissions and self-healing
SlickStack regularly applies its expected file ownership and permissions. If permissions have been changed by a migration, manual command, or plugin, run ss perms to reset important permissions across WordPress and the managed server stack. Avoid broad permissions such as 777.
Core cron jobs also perform maintenance and self-healing. They check important SlickStack scripts and configuration files, restore missing components, and reinstall managed configuration when required. See Core Maintenance for details.
Updates and maintenance
Operating-system and stack updates remain important. Use ss update packages for the documented server package update workflow, and use narrower SlickStack commands when only one component needs attention.
Before major updates, confirm that a recent off-site backup exists. Avoid making undocumented changes directly to managed configuration files because a future SlickStack repair or reinstall may overwrite them.
Accounts, backups, and monitoring
- Use strong, unique passwords for the cloud provider, Cloudflare, WordPress, SSH, SFTP, and database accounts.
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever the service supports it.
- Give WordPress administrator access only to users who require it.
- Keep backups outside the production server and periodically test that they can be restored.
- Review WordPress, Nginx, PHP, and system logs when investigating unusual behavior.
- Never publish
ss-config, database credentials, private keys, tokens, or backup archives.
Security checklist
- Cloudflare DNS, proxy, and SSL settings are correct.
- UFW is installed and its rules match the services intentionally exposed.
- WordPress Core, themes, plugins, and Ubuntu packages are maintained.
- Unused plugins, themes, users, and credentials are removed.
- File permissions match SlickStack defaults.
- Off-site backups are current and recoverable.
- Administrative accounts use unique credentials and multi-factor authentication where available.
For command-specific maintenance, see the SlickStack Commands documentation. For additional access-control context, see HTTP Nginx Auth.