Knowledge Base

Can I back up my WordPress databases?

Updated on August 29, 2026

Overview

By the end of this article you will know the two ways CodeGuard connects to a WordPress database — a direct connection to your MySQL database and a connection over a Secure Shell (SSH) tunnel — and the credentials each method needs. The sections below cover whitelisting CodeGuard's IP addresses, the connection details to gather, the additional fields an SSH connection requires, and an alternative to use if your host does not allow remote connections.

How CodeGuard backs up WordPress databases

Yes, you can back up your WordPress databases with CodeGuard. CodeGuard connects directly to your MySQL database or over an SSH tunnel, which lets it take reliable backups independent of your hosting account. Choose the connection method that your hosting provider supports.

Option A: Connect directly to your MySQL database

A direct connection lets CodeGuard reach your database once your hosting provider allows CodeGuard's IP addresses.

Most hosting providers require CodeGuard's IP addresses to be whitelisted before allowing a connection. You can ask your provider's support to add them, or add them yourself in cPanel under the "Remote MySQL" panel. The IP addresses are:

54.236.233.46
54.236.233.28
54.174.91.34
54.174.153.212
54.174.115.171

Gather your connection credentials from your control panel:

Hostname: usually your domain name or your server's IP address.
Database name: choose which database to back up. If your account has more than one, decide ahead of time which one you want.
Username and password: a MySQL username and password with permission to access the database. If you are unsure of these, ask your host how to add a user for CodeGuard.
Port: the default MySQL port is 3306.

Enter the information you gathered into CodeGuard.

Option B: Connect over an SSH tunnel

If your hosting provider supports it, CodeGuard can reach your database through a Secure Shell (SSH) tunnel. An SSH connection needs the same database details as a direct connection — hostname, database name, database username and password, and port 3306 — plus the following SSH details:

SSH username and password: provided when you set up your hosting account. If you do not have them, retrieve them from your host's control panel or ask your host.
SSH port: 22 by default, although many providers change it for added security. If you are unsure, confirm the SSH port with your hosting provider.

If your host does not allow remote connections

If your host does not allow IP whitelisting or remote MySQL connections, use the CodeGuard WordPress plugin, which backs up your database without these connections. See the CodeGuard WordPress plugin support article [insert link] for details.