WordPress upload directory best practices

Have you ever wondered where all your WordPress images, videos, and documents end up after you upload them? They’re all stored in a folder called wp-content/uploads, and this folder is actually one of the most important parts of your WordPress site. However, many site owners might not know how to manage it properly.

This guide will show you the best ways to handle your uploads folder, including how to access it safely, keep it secure, and make sure it’s not slowing down your site. 

How to access the wp-content/uploads folder

You can access your wp-content/uploads folder in three different ways. Here’s how to use each method:

1. Using your hosting provider’s control panel

The easiest way to access your uploads folder is through your hosting control panel. For example, if you have cPanel access, here’s what to do: 

• Log into your hosting account and open cPanel.
• Find and click on the File Manager tool.
• Navigate to your site’s root folder (usually public_html).
• Open the wp-content folder.
• Click on the uploads folder.

2. Accessing via SFTP 

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is the preferred method for web professionals. It’s faster than cPanel for transferring multiple files and provides a more secure connection. Here’s how to get started with an SFTP client like FileZilla:

• Download and install FileZilla on your computer.
• Gather your SFTP credentials from your hosting provider (hostname, username, password, and port).
• Enter these details in FileZilla’s quickconnect bar.
• Once connected, find your site’s root directory.
• Navigate to wp-content > uploads. 

3. Using SSH

Secure Shell (SSH) is the most powerful method, favored by developers and system administrators. While it has a steeper learning curve, it offers the most flexibility and automation possibilities. Here’s how to use it:

• Open the Terminal app on your computer.
• Connect to your server using:

ssh username@server_ip_address

• Navigate to your website’s root directory:

cd /path/to/your/website/root

• Enter the wp-content directory:

cd wp-content

• Access the uploads folder:

cd uploads

• Once inside the uploads folder, you’ll find your media files organized by year and month.

Pro tip: Before making any changes to your uploads folder, make sure you have a recent backup of your site. Also, check that you have the correct file permissions. The recommended permission for the uploads folder is typically 744. 

Essential security measures for your WordPress uploads folder

Your uploads folder is one of the most targeted areas of your WordPress site because it handles user-uploaded content. Hackers often try to exploit this folder to upload malicious files or gain unauthorized access to your site. 

Here’s a breakdown of a couple of key security measures that will help protect your site from common vulnerabilities.

Restricting PHP execution

One of the most common attacks involves uploading malicious PHP files disguised as images. Here’s how to prevent PHP execution in your uploads folder:

1. Access your wp-content/uploads directory via SFTP or File Manager.
2. Create or edit the .htaccess file.
3. Add this comprehensive security code:

# Disable PHP file execution<Files *.php>deny from all</Files>
# Disable script execution<FilesMatch "(?i)\.(php|php3|php4|php5|phtml|pl|py|jsp|asp|htm|shtml|sh|cgi)$">deny from all</FilesMatch>
# Protect against file browsingOptions -Indexes

4. Save and upload the file.
5. Test that your media files still display correctly.

Implementing regular backups

Regular backups are your last line of defense against security breaches and other issues. You can implement these in two ways: 

1. Using your hosting provider’s tools

The built-in backup tools from your host provide a solid foundation for your backup strategy:

• Log into your hosting control panel.
• Find the backup manager or backup wizard.
• Select Create Backup or Generate Backup.
• Choose these essential components:
  • All files in wp-content directory.
  • Your WordPress database.
  • Your .htaccess and wp-config.php files.
• Download and store the backup in at least two secure locations.

2. Using Solid Backups — NextGen

Solid Backups — NextGen is a modern backup solution that stores your files directly in the cloud instead of on your server. 

Created by SolidWP, it’s designed to be faster and more reliable than regular backup plugins. You won’t have to worry about backups slowing down your site or taking up space on your server. When you need to restore your site, you can do it with just one click. It’s a simpler, more efficient way to keep your wp-content directory and other important files safe.

Optimize and manage your WordPress uploads folder

Your uploads folder can significantly impact your site’s speed. Here’s how to optimize it:

• Modern caching plugins like WP-Optimize and FlyingPress enhance media file performance by automatically creating compressed versions of your images and serving device-appropriate image sizes. This reduces server load while improving visitor load times.
• Keep your media library running smoothly with proper database maintenance. Plugins like WP-Optimize automate the cleanup process by removing unused image data and old post revisions. You can schedule regular optimization tasks and easily track your space savings.
• For those preferring manual control, access phpMyAdmin through your hosting panel for monthly maintenance. This hands-on approach lets you clean post revisions and their associated media, remove redundant image sizes and metadata, and optimize database tables directly.

Speed up and secure your WordPress site with Liquid Web

A well-managed uploads folder is essential for any WordPress site’s success. This guide has shown how to access the wp-content/uploads directory safely through cPanel, SFTP, or SSH, protect it by restricting PHP execution, and optimize it through effective caching and database management.

Managing these technical aspects of WordPress doesn’t have to be a solo effort, though. Liquid Web’s managed WordPress hosting handles these tasks automatically. The platform includes built-in security features to protect the wp-content directory, advanced caching for optimal performance, and automated daily backups with easy restoration options. Plus, their expert support team is available 24/7/365 to help when needed.

Ready to give your WordPress site the foundation it deserves? Visit Liquid Web today to explore their managed WordPress hosting plans!