Brute force attacks on WordPress are indeed a significant concern because of WordPress's popularity and the often simplistic approaches users take to securing their sites. Attackers frequently use these methods because many WordPress sites still have default usernames and weak passwords, making them easy targets.
On GitHub, you'll find several tools that can be used to test WordPress installations. WPScan is one of the most well-regarded tools. While it helps in vulnerability assessment, it should be used ethically and responsibly, primarily to strengthen your own site’s security.
To effectively mitigate brute force attacks, consider the following practices:
Strong, Unique Passwords: Encourage using a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters to create robust passwords.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This significantly increases security by requiring a second form of verification. Plugins like Google Authenticator can help implement this.
Limit Login Attempts: This can deter brute force attacks by locking out IP addresses after a certain number of failed attempts. Plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded are very effective.
Security Plugins: Plugins like Wordfence and iThemes Security offer comprehensive security options, including firewall protections and malware scanning.
Keep Everything Updated: Regular updates to WordPress core, themes, and plugins are crucial in securing your site against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
These strategies should form part of a broader security plan for your WordPress site. For ongoing education, I recommend following cybersecurity blogs and checking out resources from OWASP to stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and protective measures.