Hackers love easy targets, and nothing screams “hack me” louder than sticking with the default admin username in WordPress. If you’re still using “admin” as your login, you’re practically inviting trouble. Bots and attackers know this default setting and will try to break in using brute force attacks. The good news? You don’t have to make it that easy for them. Change default admin username to something unique, and you instantly make your site harder to crack. It takes just a few minutes, but it can save you from major headaches later. Let’s ditch the predictable and lock things down properly.
Why Changing the Default Admin Username is Important
Hackers look for easy targets. Leaving “admin” as the username gives them half of what they need to break into a WordPress site. They no longer have to guess the login name—only the password remains. This makes brute-force attacks much easier and faster. Automated bots can try thousands of passwords in minutes, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.
A strong password alone is not enough if attackers already know the username. Many people assume that using complex passwords will keep their sites safe, but ignoring the username leaves a major vulnerability open. If an attacker only has to crack one piece of information instead of two, breaking in becomes far simpler.
Changing this default setting forces hackers to guess both credentials, making attacks far less effective. Security should start with simple steps like this—removing obvious weaknesses before adding extra layers of protection. By taking control and choosing a unique login name, website owners immediately reduce risk without needing advanced security knowledge or tools.
Some users hesitate to make changes because they worry about breaking something on their site or losing access themselves. But updating login details is straightforward and does not require technical expertise. A quick adjustment can block common attack methods and prevent automated scripts from targeting known usernames across multiple sites at once.
Instead of relying on luck, take action now by securing your login credentials properly. One way to strengthen security further is by using tools designed for WordPress protection, such as WP Ghost’s free plugin: Easy to install, hides wp-admin & wp-login, blocks brute-force attacks, prevents admin username exposure, enables 2FA, adds security headers, and reinforces WordPress login protection. These solutions help safeguard sites from unauthorized entry by hiding login paths and blocking brute-force attempts before they succeed.
Leaving “admin” unchanged makes hacking easier than it should be. Taking control over usernames removes predictable vulnerabilities and keeps attackers guessing instead of gaining easy access through avoidable mistakes.
Create a New Administrator Account
Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go straight to Users and select Add New. This is where you set up a fresh administrator account with a username that isn’t predictable. Avoid common names like “admin,” “administrator,” or anything obvious. Hackers target those first.
For the email, use one that’s secure and not linked to your old admin account. Pick a strong password—something long, random, and impossible to guess. Let WordPress generate it for you if needed. Select Administrator under the Role section before clicking Add New User. Now, this new account has full control over your site.
Once the new administrator account exists, log out of WordPress and sign back in using these new credentials. This step ensures everything works before removing the old account. If there’s an issue logging in, double-check that the correct role was selected during setup.
Next, delete the original admin user tied to “admin” or any other default name attackers might exploit. Head back to Users, locate the old administrator profile, click Delete, and assign ownership of its content to your newly created user when prompted.
This change alone makes brute-force attacks harder since hackers rely on known usernames when attempting unauthorized access attempts.
If you’re serious about security, take it further by blocking login paths from exposure entirely with WP Ghost. Go to the homepage of this site right now, and get a free audit on the spot. You don’t even need to give an email address. If you download the free plugin, it will perform a more comprehensive security scan. It strengthens protection by hiding wp-admin and wp-login while preventing username leaks—keeping intruders guessing instead of breaking in.
Now you’ve taken control away from attackers who rely on default settings being left untouched forever.
Change Default Admin Username by Deleting the Old Account
Using “admin” as a username is a risk. Hackers know this and use it to break into sites. The best move is to remove it completely. First, create a new administrator account with a strong username. Pick something unique that attackers won’t guess easily. Once the new account is set up, log out of the old one and sign in with the fresh credentials.
Now, go to the Users section in WordPress and find the old admin account. Click on “Delete.” Before confirming, WordPress will ask what should happen to posts or pages owned by this user. Choose to assign them to your new administrator account instead of deleting them. This keeps all content intact while removing the security risk linked to the default login name.
After deleting the old admin user, double-check that everything works properly. Test logging in with your new credentials and make sure all posts remain under your control. If anything looks off, fix it before proceeding further.
Hackers constantly scan for sites using common usernames like “admin.” Removing this weak point strengthens security by making brute-force attacks harder. But changing usernames alone isn’t enough—block automated attacks before they even start by using tools designed for protection. WP Ghost does exactly that by hiding login URLs and preventing username exposure from giving hackers an advantage check it out here – at a very special entry price for premium. Or, use the super powerful free version.
Once you’ve removed the default admin user, keep login details secure and avoid predictable names for future accounts. Security isn’t just about one change—it’s about staying ahead of threats before they become problems.
Use phpMyAdmin to Manually Update the Username
Accessing phpMyAdmin gives direct control over your WordPress database. If you want to change default admin username without relying on plugins, this method works. It requires caution since mistakes in the database can break your site.
Start by logging into your hosting account and opening phpMyAdmin from the control panel. Inside phpMyAdmin, find the database linked to your WordPress installation. If unsure about the correct one, check your `wp-config.php` file for the database name.
Once inside, look for a table named `wp_users`. Some hosting providers add prefixes like `wp1_users`, so adjust accordingly. Open this table and locate the row where `user_login` matches “admin” or any other default username you’re replacing. Click “Edit” next to it.
Find the `user_login` field and replace its value with a new name that isn’t easy to guess. Avoid using common words or personal details that attackers can predict. Once updated, save changes by clicking “Go.” This action immediately updates login credentials in WordPress but does not change passwords or permissions—only the username itself is modified.
After making changes, log out of WordPress if currently signed in and attempt to log back in using the new credentials instead of “admin”. If successful, you’ve secured another layer of protection against attacks targeting predictable usernames.
Update All Login Credentials Securely
Changing your admin username is only half the battle. If old credentials still exist in password managers, browsers, or shared documents, they can become weak points. Attackers look for easy ways in. Don’t give them one.
Start by updating saved logins in any password manager you use. If you rely on autofill, make sure it reflects the new details. Outdated entries can cause confusion and failed logins, leading to unnecessary resets or worse—accidental exposure of sensitive information.
Next, check stored credentials across devices. Browsers often save usernames and passwords without asking twice. Locate these settings and remove outdated login data immediately. This step ensures that no old details remain accessible if someone gains access to your device or online accounts.
If multiple users manage your site, inform them about the change right away—but do it securely. Never send login details via email or messaging apps that lack encryption. Instead, use a secure password-sharing tool designed for sensitive information transfer to prevent unauthorized access risks.
While you’re at it, strengthen passwords across all accounts linked to WordPress administration roles. A strong passphrase combined with two-factor authentication (2FA) makes unauthorized entry nearly impossible—even if someone gets hold of a username by accident or through an exploit attempt on another platform.
One way to lock down your site even further is by using tools built for security hardening like WP Ghost plugin for WordPress. It blocks brute-force attacks and prevents admin username leaks before hackers even get a chance to try their luck—because relying on just a name change isn’t enough when bots never stop scanning for vulnerabilities.
Leaving old credentials scattered across different places creates unnecessary risks after you change default admin username settings in WordPress. Every saved login must be reviewed and updated properly so that there’s no trace of outdated access points left behind anywhere online or offline
Enhance Security with Additional Measures
Changing the default admin username is a solid first step, but don’t stop there. Hackers use automated tools to break into sites, so adding extra barriers makes their job harder. Strengthen login security by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This requires an additional verification step beyond just a password, making unauthorized access much more difficult. Even if someone gets hold of your credentials, they still need another code to log in.
Limit login attempts to block repeated access attempts from bots and malicious users. WordPress allows unlimited tries by default, which is exactly what attackers rely on for brute-force attacks. Set a limit on failed logins before locking out an IP address temporarily or permanently. This simple tweak can stop endless guessing attempts before they become a problem.
Strong passwords matter more than most people think. Simple or reused passwords make it easy for attackers to gain control over accounts. Use long and complex passphrases that mix letters, numbers, and symbols instead of predictable combinations like “admin123” or “password.” Encourage all users with access to your site to follow the same rule—one weak account can be enough for an attacker to slip through the cracks.
Hiding login pages adds another layer of protection against unwanted visitors looking for vulnerabilities. By changing default paths like `/wp-admin` and `/wp-login.php`, you prevent automated bots from even reaching the login screen in the first place. Tools like ours do this effortlessly while also blocking brute-force attacks and preventing username exposure altogether.
Security isn’t about one single fix—it’s about stacking protections so that even if one fails, others stand in the way of intruders gaining control over your site.
Take Control of Your WordPress Security
Leaving the default admin username unchanged is like handing hackers a key to your site—don’t make it easy for them. By creating a new administrator account, deleting the old one, or updating it via phpMyAdmin, you can shut down one of the easiest attack vectors. But don’t stop there—secure your login credentials and layer up with additional security measures. Want to go even further? WP Ghost locks down your site by blocking brute-force attacks and hiding critical login paths. Don’t wait until it’s too late—change the default admin username now and take charge of your website’s security.