WordPress is easily among the most widely used content management systems on the internet due to the robust nature of the content management system (CMS) as well as how easy it is to use and manage website content on the back-end. Many businesses rely on WordPress as a way to establish their brand while also maintaining online marketing efforts and lead generation.
By harnessing the capabilities of WordPress, businesses also have the means to publish content that’s relevant to the industry that they operate in as well as their target audience. Due to the popularity of the platform in recent years, there are also many individuals who are attempting to hack into websites that are managed through the platform, which means that these individuals may attempt to hack into your website and access your private information. Once someone has access to your website, they may also gain access to valuable customer or business data, which can substantially damage your reputation online and ultimately, your business.
As such, it’s in your best interest to make sure that your website is secure against online threats and data breaches. In order to avoid such security breaches, you should not only secure your website through a SSL certificate but also consider using one of the following plugins to expand the functionality of your website and ensure the ongoing security of both your website and data.
11. Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall [200k+ installs, 4.9 stars]
Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall is a comprehensive security plugin that protects from such threats as log-in vulnerabilities and back-door scripts. The main feature and selling point of this plugin is that users are able to run a complete scan that will immediately remove any known threats, injections in the database, and backdoor scripts. You can also upgrade any vulnerable versions of scripts that you’ve used to resize images on your WordPress website, which should prevent hackers from breaching your website due to outdated code. A wide range of malware such as SoakSoak will be blocked via a firewall through this plugin. Certain types of malware have been known to get into WordPress sites via specific plugins like the highly popular WordPress Revolution Slider.
Download Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall
10. Security & Malware Scan by CleanTalk [3k+ installs, 4.8 stars]
Security & Malware Scan by CleanTalk is a well-rated plugin on WordPress that offers an array of security features for you to take advantage of. This is a cloud security service that’s designed to provide in-depth protection from online threats while also giving you complete control over your website security. A primary feature of this free plugin is the provision of a security firewall that allows you to filter access to your website by networks, IP, or countries. You could also limit login attempts to your website with this plugin, which helps to keep DDoS attacks at bay. If someone attempts to login to the admin area of your website and is denied, their IP address will be banned for 24 hours upon 10 attempts in an hour. Some of the additional features available through this plugin include a daily malware scan, a comprehensive security audit log, and a real-time traffic monitor.
Download Security & Malware Scan by CleanTalk
9. NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security [30k+ installs, 4.8 stars]
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) is a fantastic security plugin on WordPress that primarily acts as a firewall for web applications. While this tool goes through an installation and configuration process that’s very similar to a plugin, it will act as a separate firewall that’s situated in front of your website. Because this tool is somewhat separate from WordPress, it offers advanced security features like the PHP Suhosin extension and the Apache ModSecurity module. Any request to a PHP script on your website will be instantly scanned, sanitized, and rejected if necessary. Several of the other features that are included with this tool extend to real-time detection of PHP file modification and efficient protection from brute-force attacks that are sent to your site.
Download NinjaFirewall (WP Edition)
8. Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening [500k+ installs, 4.5 stars]
Sucuri Security is a free plugin that’s designed to work alongside all of the other security tools that you’re currently using with your website. The main components of this plugin include activity auditing, file integrity monitoring, remote malware scanning, and security hardening, all of which should heavily minimize the security threats that your website encounters. Among the more unique features of this plugin is that it provides you with the ability to take certain security actions following a hack, which may assist you in lessening the damage. This aspect of the plugin provides you with the ability to perform three key security actions following the hack. The overall simplicity of this plugin makes it great for any website.
7. Jetpack by WordPress.com [5M+ installs, 3.9 stars]
Jetpack by WordPress.com is the most installed security plugin on this list because of how robust the feature-set is. This plugin combines design and marketing services with security services, which means that you can build your WordPress website with the plugin and implement various security features as you go. Along with the extensive design and marketing services that provide you with the ability to create a wholly customized website, the security services that are available through Jetpack include brute-force attack protection, downtime monitoring, and spam filtering. You can also protect user information such as passwords by implementing two-factor authentication with this tool. Additional security features include the provision of a full activity report and complete code scanning and malware scanning services.
Download Jetpack by WordPress.com
6. Shield: Security, Scanning & Protection For All [80k+ installs, 4.9 stars]
Shield: Security, Scanning & Protection For All is a very popular security plugin that comes with the highest rating for any security plugin offered through WordPress. Their security services are comprehensive and powerful while also being easy-to-use. Once you install the plugin, all of the security features are immediately activated, which makes it simple to provide complete protection for your site. However, full configuration is possible for every single security element if you want to delve deeper into the plugin. With this tool, you’ll only receive notifications and alerts in the event that it’s essential for you to be informed. In most cases, the plugin will do its job and go about keeping your website secure, which means that you won’t receive a constant barrage of notifications every time a security threat happens. A few of the more unique features available through this tool include an automatic IP blacklist, the ability to block automated comments on your site, and additional security for admin and superusers.
Download Shield: Security, Scanning & Protection For All
5. iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security) [900k+ installs, 4.7 stars]
The iThemes Security plugin is a fantastic plugin that’s mainly designed to harden WordPress by fixing common holes, strengthening user credentials, and stopping any automated attacks. With this tool, you’ll have more than 30 ways in which you can secure your website. One key aspect of this security plugin is that any users who may have tried to hack other websites will automatically be banned from accessing your website, which should help to lessen the amount of attacks that occur. Any users and hosts with a large number of invalid login attempts will be banned as well. A couple of the detection services available with iThemes Security include the ability to detect bots and the ability to receive notifications whenever a file is changed on your website.
Download iThemes Security plugin
4. All In One WP Security & Firewall [700k+ installs, 4.8 stars]
All In One WP Security & Firewall is a security plugin for WordPress that is very easy-to-use while also providing you with a myriad of security features. The basic function of this plugin is to enforce some good security practices that are standard but commonly overlooked. Vulnerabilities in your website code and design are checked for constantly, which means that any changes to the basic structure of your site are detected immediately. The best aspect of this plugin is that you have several options for how the security and firewall rules are enforced, which include basic, intermediate, and advanced. These options allow you to use the plugin without breaking the functionality of your site. The security features available with this plugin include spam security, scanning features, firewall security, brute-force attack protection, database security, and user login security, which means that almost every facet of your website is protected.
Download All In One WP Security & Firewall
3. Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan [100k+ installs, 4.9 stars]
Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan is a security plugin that’s designed to defend your WordPress website from trojans, malware, hacker attacks, and spam. User and intruder activity is heavily tracked, which means that any issue with this activity will cause notifications to be sent to you. The spam security is among the most comprehensive in any of the plugins on this list. The tool combines a Cerber anti-spam engine with Google reCAPTCHA in order to protect contact, comment, and registration forms from unwanted spam. Some of the other security features that will be of benefit to you include the ability to manually block user accounts, the ability to create a custom login URL, and full login monitoring.
Download Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan
2. BulletProof Security [70k+ installs, 4.8 stars]
BulletProof Security is another security plugin on this list that aims to provide for all of your security needs with one tool, which includes everything from database backup to login security. The plugin is also easy-to-install because of the inclusion of a one-click setup wizard. The malware scanner included with this plugin is very powerful and will be able to detect any harmful software that has encroached upon your website. The database backup features with this plugin are extensive and include full and partial backup options, manual or scheduled backups, Email zip backups, and .htaccess protection. Login security and firewall features are also available.
1. Wordfence Security – Firewall & Malware Scan [3M+ installs, 4.8 stars]
Wordfence Security is a simplistic yet highly powerful security plugin that’s among the most popular on WordPress. It’s designed specifically to scan for malware and provide your website with a strong firewall. The regular scans that are performed with this tool will check your website core, plugins, and themes for any malware and virus infections. The plugin also uses a fantastic Falcom caching engine that will substantially increase the page speed and security of your website. All of the posts and comments on your website will be scanned for any malicious code, which should keep spam at a minimum. The included firewall will automatically block any botnet, scanners, or fake traffic.
Conclusion
Due to the popularity of WordPress, there are many options to choose from when it comes to keeping your website and data secure. If you need help determining which WordPress Security Plugin may be the right one for your website, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have and we’ll be more than happy to assist you with your search for the ultimate WordPress Security Plugin!
