XML-RPC in WordPress can pose security risks if not properly secured. Here’s a quick guide to disabling it:

1. Check if XML-RPC is enabled on your site
2. Choose a method to disable it:
   • Using a plugin (easiest)
   • Editing .htaccess file
   • Modifying functions.php
   • Configuring Nginx
3. Verify XML-RPC is disabled
4. Implement additional security measures

Method	Ease of Use	Technical Skill Required
Plugin	Easy	Low
Manual	Moderate	Medium
Hosting	Easy	Low (support-dependent)

If you need XML-RPC for specific functions, consider limiting access or using a firewall instead of completely disabling it. Remember to keep WordPress updated and use security plugins for comprehensive protection.

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What is XML-RPC?

XML-RPC is a way for different computer programs to talk to each other over the internet. In WordPress, it lets other apps do things on your website, like adding posts or changing comments. While it can be helpful, it can also make your site less safe if not set up right.

Definition and Purpose

XML-RPC is a set of rules that helps different computer systems work together online. For WordPress, it allows other apps to connect to your site from far away. This feature was added to make it easier for people who make apps to build programs that can work with WordPress.

How XML-RPC Works

XML-RPC uses two main things:

1. HTTP: This is how it sends information over the internet.
2. XML: This is how it packages the data it sends.

This setup lets different kinds of computer systems talk to each other easily, even if they’re made with different programming languages.

Security Risks

XML-RPC can cause some safety problems for your WordPress site:

Risk	Description
Brute force attacks	Hackers can try to guess your password many times quickly
DDoS attacks	Bad actors can overload your site with too many requests
Bypassing security	XML-RPC can get around things like firewalls and two-factor login
Spam	It can be used to post unwanted content on your site
Server overload	XML-RPC requests can use up a lot of your server’s power

Because of these risks, some website owners choose to turn off XML-RPC if they don’t need it.

Is XML-RPC Enabled on Your Site?

How to check if XML-RPC is active

Before turning off XML-RPC, you need to know if it’s on. Here are two ways to check:

Using CURL Command

You can use CURL to see if XML-RPC is on. Here’s how:

1. Open your computer’s terminal
2. Type this command (replace yourdomain.com with your website’s address):

curl -X POST \
  http://yourdomain.com/xmlrpc.php \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/xml' \
  -d '<methodCall><methodName>demo.sayHello</methodName><params></params></methodCall>'

3. Press Enter

What the results mean:

Result	Meaning
Success message	XML-RPC is on
Error or "403 Forbidden"	XML-RPC is likely off

Using Online Tools

You can also use websites to check. Here’s how:

1. Go to the XML-RPC Validator Web App
2. Type in your website’s address
3. Click "Check"

The tool will test your site and tell you if XML-RPC is on or off.

Result	Meaning
Error message	XML-RPC is off
Success message	XML-RPC is on

If XML-RPC is on and you don’t need it, you might want to turn it off for better security.

How to Disable XML-RPC

You can turn off XML-RPC in WordPress using plugins or by changing some settings yourself. Here’s how to do it:

Using a Plugin

The easiest way to turn off XML-RPC is with a plugin. Here are two good options:

Plugin Name	What It Does
Disable XML-RPC	Turns off XML-RPC with one click
XML-RPC Disable	Turns off XML-RPC and blocks pingbacks

To use a plugin:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard
2. Click "Plugins" then "Add New"
3. Search for the plugin you want
4. Click "Install Now" then "Activate"

Doing It Yourself

If you don’t want to use a plugin, you can turn off XML-RPC by changing some files:

Using .htaccess File

Add this to your .htaccess file:

<Files xmlrpc.php>
order deny,allow
deny from all
allow from 123.123.123.123
</Files>

Change 123.123.123.123 to your IP address.

Using WordPress Functions

Add this code to your functions.php file:

add_filter('xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false');

Nginx Setup

If you use Nginx, add this to your config file:

location /xmlrpc.php {
    deny all;
}

Ask Your Hosting Company

If you use managed WordPress hosting, you can ask your hosting company to turn off XML-RPC for you. This is often the safest way to do it.

Method	Pros	Cons
Plugin	Easy to use	Adds another plugin to manage
Manual	No extra plugins needed	Requires file editing
Hosting company	Very secure	Depends on customer support

Choose the method that works best for you based on your skills and needs.

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Checking if XML-RPC is Disabled

Testing Methods

After turning off XML-RPC, make sure it’s really off to keep your WordPress site safe. Here are some ways to check:

Method	How to Do It	What It Means
XML-RPC Validator Web App	Enter your site’s URL into the app	It tells you if XML-RPC is on or off
Manual Testing	Visit https://yourdomain.com/xmlrpc.php	If you see "Forbidden" or "403 error", XML-RPC is off
WordPress Security Plugin	Use a plugin that checks for XML-RPC	The plugin will tell you if it’s on or off

Common Issues and Fixes

You might run into some problems when turning off XML-RPC. Here are some common ones and how to fix them:

Issue	Fix
XML-RPC still works	Check your .htaccess file or WordPress functions to make sure the code is right
Plugin problems	Turn off other plugins to see if they’re causing trouble
Server issues	Ask your hosting company if they set things up correctly

When to Keep XML-RPC On

Sometimes, you might need to keep XML-RPC on. Let’s look at when you should do this and how to stay safe if you do.

When XML-RPC is Needed

Here are some times when you might need XML-RPC:

Situation	Reason
Old WordPress versions	Versions before 4.4 need XML-RPC for remote access
Some apps	The WordPress mobile app uses XML-RPC
Old systems	Some old plugins or systems might not work without XML-RPC

If you need to use XML-RPC, think about the good and bad points. Make sure to add extra safety steps if you keep it on.

Ways to Lower Risks

If you can’t turn off XML-RPC, try these ways to make it safer:

Method	How it Works
Limit access	Only let certain IP addresses use xmlrpc.php
Use a firewall	Block odd traffic to xmlrpc.php
Watch for problems	Use safety plugins to check XML-RPC use

These steps can help keep your site safe even with XML-RPC on.

Other WordPress Security Steps

Besides turning off XML-RPC, there are more ways to keep your WordPress site safe.

Updates and Backups

Keep your site safe by:

1. Updating WordPress, themes, and plugins often
2. Making regular backups of your site

Old versions can let hackers in. Backups help you get your site back if something goes wrong.

Use a backup plugin to make it easy:

Plugin	What it does
UpdraftPlus	Makes backups automatically
VaultPress	Saves your site data regularly

Security Plugins

Security plugins add more protection to your site. Here are some good ones:

Plugin	What it does
Wordfence	Stops bad traffic, checks for viruses, makes logins safer
Sucuri	Looks for viruses, watches for blacklists, tells you about dangers
iThemes Security	Makes passwords stronger, keeps logins safe, checks for viruses

These plugins help find and stop security problems. They also do other things to make your site harder to hack.

Conclusion

Turning off XML-RPC on your WordPress site helps keep it safe. This guide showed you how to do it. Remember, most WordPress sites don’t need XML-RPC, and it can cause safety problems.

Here’s a quick look at why turning off XML-RPC is good:

Reason	Explanation
Stops attacks	Hackers can’t use XML-RPC to guess passwords or overload your site
Keeps your site running	Your site won’t slow down from too many XML-RPC requests
Blocks unwanted content	Spammers can’t use XML-RPC to post on your site

To keep your WordPress site safe:

1. Turn off XML-RPC if you don’t need it
2. Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date
3. Make regular backups of your site
4. Use strong passwords
5. Add a security plugin

FAQs

How do I disable XML-RPC plugin in WordPress?

There are two main ways to turn off XML-RPC in WordPress:

1. Using code
2. Using a plugin

Using code

If you’re comfortable with coding:

1. Make a new plugin for your site
2. Add this line to the plugin’s code:

add_filter( 'xmlrpc_enabled', '__return_false' );

3. Save and turn on the plugin

This will stop XML-RPC from working on your site.

Using a plugin

If you prefer an easier way:

Step	Action
1	Go to your WordPress dashboard
2	Click "Plugins" then "Add New"
3	Search for "Disable XML-RPC" or "XML-RPC Deactivated"
4	Install and turn on the plugin you choose

These plugins will turn off XML-RPC with just a few clicks. You don’t need to know how to code to use them.

Choose the method that fits your skills and needs best. Both ways work well to turn off XML-RPC on your WordPress site.

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