Changing Default Wordpress Username Bitnami Lightsail

Question

I would like to change the default wordpress username from "user" to something more abstract and secure. It's a security risk to have the same user name for every wordpress installation, its widely known and easy for brute forcers to attack on less secure websites.

I want to know if there's a command sequence I can use through the SSH console to change the user, as it's not possible through wordpress settings.

Kameron_B · Answer

Hello,

Wordpress is a third party application so I will provide the below on a best effort basis. You can certainly followup with Wordpress community support if needed as well and I will try to followup on further questions as possible.

One workaround to changing the username itself would be to create a separate administrator user and delete your original user to use the new admin instead.

Otherwise, Bitnami provides the [following guide](https://docs.bitnami.com/aws/faq/get-started/access-phpmyadmin/) to access phpMyAdmin which can be used in tandem with the below link (third-party) in order to change your username directly (change user_name instead of user_password).

[How to reset a WordPress a Wordpress username/password](https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-reset-a-wordpress-password-from-phpmyadmin/)

Backups of your current site state before proceeding with any such changes is strongly advised!

Kory · Answer

You can connect to the DB and:
`UPDATE wp_users SET user_login='newusername' WHERE ID=1;`

You ALSO need to update the wp_sitemeta table ... which is a little more tricky ... ... if it's a fresh install and you're the only super admin, you can do:
`UPDATE wp_sitemeta SET meta_value='a:1:{i:0;s:11:"newusername";} ' WHERE meta_key='site_admins';`
... where the `s:11` bit matches the number of characters in your `newusername`

Changing Default Wordpress Username Bitnami Lightsail

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