The Role of Server_Tokens Off in WordPress: Securing Your Site from Potential Threats

Published On - February 20, 2025

Sophia Willson blog

Your WordPress website needs protection. Hackers are always looking for ways to get in. One simple but effective way to improve security is to turn ServerTokens off. Not sure what that means? Don’t worry! We’ll explain everything in a fun and easy way.

What Are Server Tokens?

Server tokens are little pieces of information that tell the world what web server you’re using. It can reveal details like:

  • Which web server software you have (Apache, Nginx, etc.).
  • The exact version of that software.

While this may sound harmless, it can actually help hackers.

Why Do Server Tokens Matter?

Imagine you leave your house and put a sign on the door that says: “This house uses Lock Model XYZ, version 2.3.” A thief who knows about a flaw in that lock could break in easily. That’s exactly what happens when your server exposes its version number!

Hackers look for outdated software with known bugs. If they see your server is running an old version, they know exactly how to attack it.

How Does This Affect WordPress?

WordPress itself does not send server tokens, but they can still be visible through your hosting environment. If your web server reveals its version, hackers can check if your host or server has vulnerabilities.

Even if your WordPress site is secure, an exposed version number can make you a target.

How to Turn Off Server Tokens

Good news! You can disable server tokens in just a few simple steps. Here’s how:

For Apache:

  1. Open your apache2.conf or httpd.conf file.
  2. Find this line: ServerTokens Full
  3. Change it to: ServerTokens Prod
  4. Save the file and restart Apache.

For Nginx:

  1. Open the nginx.conf file.
  2. Add this line inside the http block: server_tokens off;
  3. Save the file and restart Nginx.

Benefits of Turning Server Tokens Off

Disabling server tokens brings several security advantages:

  • Less Information for Hackers: They can’t see your server details.
  • Reduced Targeting: Old software versions won’t be a red flag.
  • Better Security Practices: It’s a simple step with great benefits.

Other Security Steps to Consider

Turning off server tokens is great, but don’t stop there! Combine it with these best practices:

  • Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
  • Use a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.
  • Enable strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
  • Regularly back up your website.

Final Thoughts

WordPress security doesn’t have to be complicated. Small changes, like turning off server tokens, make a big difference. Hackers thrive on easy opportunities. Don’t give them one!

So, take a few minutes, turn off server tokens, and make your website more secure today!