DNSSEC for WordPress: Protecting Your WordPress Domain

WordPress Security Guide • Updated December 2024

DNSSEC protects your WordPress site at the DNS level, preventing attackers from hijacking your domain to steal visitor credentials or serve malware. This works with any WordPress host.

Key Point: DNSSEC is configured at the DNS provider level, not in WordPress itself. Your hosting provider doesn't need to support DNSSEC—only your DNS provider does.

Why WordPress Sites Need DNSSEC

WordPress sites are high-value targets for DNS attacks:

  • Admin Credential Theft: Attackers redirect wp-admin to phishing pages
  • Customer Data Theft: WooCommerce checkout pages cloned to steal payment info
  • Malware Distribution: WordPress updates hijacked to install backdoors
  • SEO Spam: Correct DNS returns spam pages to search engines

Implementation Options

Option 1: Cloudflare (Recommended)

Cloudflare offers free DNS with one-click DNSSEC:

  1. Add your domain to Cloudflare (free plan works)
  2. Update nameservers at your registrar
  3. Enable DNSSEC in Cloudflare dashboard
  4. Add DS record at registrar when prompted

See our complete Cloudflare DNSSEC guide.

Option 2: Registrar DNS

If using your registrar's DNS, check if they support DNSSEC:

  • GoDaddy - Supported with one-click enable
  • Namecheap - Requires PremiumDNS
  • Google Domains - Automatic DNSSEC

Option 3: Managed WordPress Hosts

Some managed WordPress hosts handle DNS:

  • WordPress.com: DNSSEC enabled automatically for mapped domains
  • Kinsta: Use their DNS with DNSSEC support, or external DNS
  • WP Engine: Use Cloudflare or registrar DNS for DNSSEC

Step-by-Step for Most WordPress Sites

Identify Your DNS Provider

Check your domain's nameservers. If they end with your host's domain, you're using host DNS. Otherwise, you're using registrar or third-party DNS.

Enable DNSSEC at DNS Provider

Follow the provider-specific guide to enable zone signing. The provider gives you DS record values.

Submit DS Record at Registrar

If DNS provider ≠ registrar, add the DS record in your registrar's control panel. This links the signed zone to the DNS hierarchy.

Verify DNSSEC is Active

Use our verification guide to confirm DNSSEC is working.

WordPress-Specific Considerations

Multisite Installations

For WordPress Multisite with domain mapping, each mapped domain needs its own DNSSEC configuration. The main domain and all mapped domains should have DNSSEC enabled.

CDN Configurations

If using a CDN (Cloudflare, Sucuri, etc.) in front of WordPress:

  • DNSSEC should be enabled at the CDN's DNS level
  • Origin server DNS (if different) benefits from DNSSEC too
  • Cloudflare handles both CDN and DNSSEC seamlessly

Common Questions

Does DNSSEC affect WordPress performance?

No measurable impact on WordPress site speed. DNSSEC verification happens at the DNS resolver level, before traffic reaches your site.

Do WordPress plugins help with DNSSEC?

No—DNSSEC is a DNS-level security feature. No WordPress plugin can enable or configure DNSSEC.

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