User access management is the foundation of WordPress security. Most successful attacks exploit weak
passwords, excessive permissions, or compromised user accounts. This guide covers essential
practices for managing user roles, enforcing strong passwords, and implementing two-factor
authentication—forming a robust defense against unauthorized access.

đź“‹ Key Takeaways
  • Apply the principle of least privilege—users should only have permissions they need
  • Enforce strong, unique passwords for all admin accounts
  • Two-factor authentication blocks most account compromise attempts
  • Regular user audits prevent permission creep and remove stale accounts

I. Understanding WordPress User Roles

WordPress includes six default roles with different permission levels.

A. Default Role Hierarchy

  • Super Admin: (Multisite only) Full control over the entire network.
  • Administrator: Complete site control—themes, plugins, users, settings.
  • Editor: Manage and publish all posts, including others’ content.
  • Author: Publish and manage own posts only.
  • Contributor: Write and edit own posts, but cannot publish.
  • Subscriber: Read content and manage own profile only.

B. Assigning Appropriate Roles

  • Content writers: Author role (can publish) or Contributor (needs approval).
  • Content managers: Editor role for managing content workflow.
  • Site maintenance: Administrator only for trusted technical staff.