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WordPress

Posted by Ralf Koller
Ralf Koller
4,506 Points

Change WP database prefix afterwards

I have a project near completion but forgot to change the db prefix on installation. Now i am a bit worried.

I am running wp 3.8.1. Are the described methods:

http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-change-the-wordpress-database-prefix-to-improve-security/ http://digwp.com/2010/10/change-database-prefix/

still viable with 3.8.1 since they are dated a few month / years back. And do you only have to change filenames starting with wp_ or would filenames starting with wp be also included?

and the prefix could be anything? fv1d89_ (characters and numbers) or bMkfo_ (only regular characters) 1209343_ (only numbers )

so if i would go the way described in the blog posts and using a prefix of guk34_ i would be more or less save to go?

Best regards r.

2 Answers

Walden Wang
Walden Wang
5,657 Points
Walden Wang
Walden Wang
5,657 Points

There's a plugin in called "WP Better Security", it could change the prefix and have some features to protect your wordpress site.

Cena Mayo
Cena Mayo
55,236 Points
Cena Mayo
Cena Mayo
55,236 Points

Hi Ralf,

You only want to change the database table prefixes, not WordPress files that start with wp- (that would break your install!) And yes, the prefix can be anything MySQL allows, typically ending with an underscore to keep the actual table name easily readable.

Ralf Koller
Ralf Koller
4,506 Points

uhhh sorry, filename wasn't the best wording, i basically meant the fieldnames inside the options and usermeta table NOT the physical php wp filenames. sorry - i am quite exhausted and worn out over the last days finishing this project, so a bad wording might slip in from time to time. :s

anyway bottom line i basically meant if the described method from the blog posts still applies to 3.8.x installs to rename the prefix of the table names as well as the fieldnames of the options and usermeta table which contain "wp_" as prefix. And fieldnames starting with "wp" shouldn't be renamed?