Change Database Prefix in WordPress

Table of Contents

Almost everything that you do in WordPress is stored in databases. All themes, plugins, and WordPress Core use the database. Since databases contain all your website data, you must do everything possible to make it more secure.

Because hackers often use bots to search for security flaws in your website, it is not a good idea to have a default database name and prefix for your WP database.

During the WordPress installation, you are prompted to add a database prefix. The default WordPress database prefix is “wp_”, and it is recommended to change it to a different one, such as “mydb_”.

Change Database Prefix with WP Ghost

In case your WordPress database still has the “wp_” prefix, there is a fast and easy step to change the database prefix with a random one.

  1. First, install and activate the WP Ghost plugin.
  2. Go to WP Ghost > Security Check.
  3. Click on the Start Scan button to run a new security test.
  4. If the database has the default wp_ prefix, you get a security task with the option to change it.
  5. Click the Fix it button to change the database prefix with a custom one.
Change Database Prefix with WP Ghost

Note! WP Ghost will automatically detect if you have a WP multisite database and change the prefix in the records accordingly.

Undo Database Prefix to Default

After the change, you will have the option to undo it and set the database prefix to default. This action should be used only in case of errors after replacing it with a random one.

Tagged: