Business Tips for Web Sites, Blogs, Social Media and Online Marketing

Change your WordPress "admin" Username

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WordPress is setup by default with an "admin" username as the administrator. However, if someone wants to hack into your blog, the first username they'll try is "admin". Then all they need to do is figure out your password (which can be easier than you think!). To beef up your security, I recommend you change the administrator's username from "admin" to something else.

I found many articles and blog posts with instructions on how to change the "admin" username by installing a WordPress plugin or by editing your database tables. However, there is a much easier way to go about doing this. If you are still using the "admin" user account in your WordPress blog, follow these easy instructions to change it.

1. Login to your Wordpress Admin area.
   
    
2. Click on "Add new" in the "Users" menu.
   
    
3. Type in the information for the new user account.
   
    
   Notes:
   1. You need to use a different email address than what you have setup for your "admin" username.
   2. Make sure you select "Administrator" as the role. 
   3. Choose a new user name that is not similar to the name you display publicly on your blog. For example, I wouldn't actually use "kelly" as my username - as that would be too easy for someone to guess.
   4. Choose a hard-to-guess password. I recommend using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
       
4. Click on the "Add User" button.
    
5. Logout of WordPress.
    
6. Login to your WordPress again, using your new username.
   
    
7. Click on "Users" in the "Users" menu.
    
8. Move your mouse cursor over the "admin" row. You will see links for "Edit" and "Delete". Click on "Delete".
   
    
    
9. Select "Attribute all posts and links to" and then select your new username from the drop-down list. Make sure you select this option -- so all your posts don't get deleted!
   
    
10. Click on the "Confirm Deletion" button.

Now you have changed your administrator username -- and all your blog posts that were created using the "admin" username are reassigned to your new username.