What is WordPress cloning and why is it an extremely useful tool to have on your webmaster's bag? Most people think this is a dishonest technique for copying websites to garner more link love and rankings, and while that may have been accurate (and useful!) At one time, this is an endeavor.
Cloning your site is just another degree in fix wordpress malware removal that may be useful. Cloning simply means that you have backed up your site to a totally different place, (offline, as in a folder, in order to not have SEO problems) where you can get it in a moment's notice if the need arises.
No software system is immune to bugs and vulnerabilities. Security holes will be found and guys will do their best to exploit them. Keeping your software up-to-date is a fantastic way because software vendors will mend their products once security holes are found.
While it's an odd term, it represents a task. We're not simply being obsessive-compulsive here: servers go down every day, despite their promises of 99.9% uptime, and if you've had this happen to you, you know the fear is it can cause.
In addition to adding a secret key to your wp-config.php file, also consider altering your user password into something that's strong and unique. WordPress will tell you the strength of your password, but a great idea is to avoid phrases, use letters, and include amounts. It's also a good idea to change your password frequently - say once every six months.
Implementing all of the above will probably take less than an hour to complete, while making your WordPress site considerably more resistant to intrusions. Over 1 million WordPress sites were cracked this past year, largely due review to preventable safety gaps. Have yourself prepared and you're likely to be on the safe side.