Having a secure website is crucial for any business or organization—WordPress powers over 30% of all websites, which makes it a top target for hackers. Utilizing WordPress security plugins is one of the best ways to protect your WordPress site.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of WordPress security plugins, provide an overview of the top 5 plugins, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Why Website Security Is Important
There are several reasons why website security should be a top priority:
- Protect user data – If your site collects or stores any user data, you have an obligation to keep it safe. This includes things like contact forms, e-commerce checkouts, etc. Security plugins help prevent data breaches.
- Prevent hacking – Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. With security plugins, you can prevent unauthorized access to key areas like wp-admin.
- Maintain uptime – Getting hacked often results in malware infections and other issues that can take down your site. Security plugins help keep everything running smoothly.
- Guard reputation – A hacked site damages your brand reputation. Security plugins help maintain customer trust and confidence.
- Meet compliance standards – Industries like healthcare and finance have strict data security requirements. Security plugins help meet those compliances.
Overview Of Top 5 WordPress Security Plugins
There are dozens of WordPress security plugins available. Here are 5 of the top options to consider:
Wordfence
Wordfence is currently the most popular security plugin with over 3 million active installs. Key features include:
- Firewall and malware scanning
- Blocks are known attackers
- Real-time threat detection
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Rate limiting for login and XML-RPC
NordVPN secures your website at blazing-fast speeds for one low cost. Get NordVPN 1 year for just $36.
Wordfence offers a free version along with premium options for added features. It’s a great all-around choice for protecting any WordPress site.
iThemes Security
iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security) takes an extensive approach to locking down WordPress. Highlights include:
- Brute force attack protection
- Bans troublesome user agents
- Renames key directories
- IP blacklisting
- Mandatory strong passwords
iThemes Security has built a reputation for going beyond the basics to restrict access from multiple attack vectors.
Sucuri
Sucuri concentrates on malware detection and removal. Highlights include:
- Site check for malware and blacklisting status
- Malware scanning and cleanup
- Security auditing and hardening
- DDoS protection
- Post-hack forensic analysis
Sucuri offers a range of plans, including a free option, for cleaning and securing infected sites.
WordPress Security Scan
WordPress Security Scan from WebARX focuses on detecting vulnerabilities. Key features:
- Scans for known exploits and vulnerabilities
- Checks permissions, file integrity, malware
- One-click fixes reported issues
- Checks blacklists for flagged URLs
This plugin takes an audit-like approach to assessing security risks. The free version has basic scans while the premium has more extensive scans.
All In One WP Security & Firewall
As the name suggests, All In One WP Security provides an entire suite of protections including:
- Blocks suspicious queries and requests
- IP and user login limiting
- Scheduler for automatic scanning
- Alerts for file changes and user logging
- Integration with Google Authenticator for 2FA
It offers multiple security layers while still being easy to configure for WordPress beginners.
Which Plugin Is Best For WordPress Security?
With so many options, which plugin is right for you? Here are a few factors to consider:
- Type of site – E-commerce sites with user data need more protections than simple blogs. Evaluate your security risks.
- Technical abilities – Some plugins require installing firewall software or editing code. Others are set and forget. Choose what matches your skill level.
- Shared hosting – Some security features may not work on shared hosts with limited permissions. Check compatibility for any limitations.
- SEO impact – Aggressive blocking from some plugins can negatively impact SEO. Ensure your choice doesn’t obstruct visibility.
- Support – Paid plugins often include more extensive support. Make sure adequate help resources are available.
There is no single best plugin for every site. Review your specific needs and options to make the right choice. Combining multiple plugins can provide layered protection as well.
How Can Improve My WordPress Website Security?
While security plugins provide essential protections, there are other steps you should take to lock down WordPress:
- Update WordPress core – Run the latest WordPress version and update immediately when patches are released.
- Change default admin username – Scramble the admin username so it’s not easy to guess.
- Use strong passwords – Require secure passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Limit login attempts – Block login after a certain number of incorrect password tries.
- Review users – Remove any inactive or suspicious users from your site.
- Backups – Maintain regular off-site backups in case your site is compromised.
- SSL certificate – Add an SSL certificate to encrypt all data transmission.
- Disable file editing – Turn off the ability to edit plugin and theme files from within WordPress admin.
Combining security best practices with protective plugins creates a robust security foundation for any WordPress site.
Can Do Really Need A Security Plugin For WordPress?
Some site owners wonder if WordPress security plugins are truly necessary. There are a few factors to keep in mind:
- All sites face threats – Any site connected to the internet can be hacked. It only takes one vulnerability.
- Plugins enhance basic security – Security plugins add layers of protection that are not included in core WordPress.
- New threats emerge – New hacking techniques and malware are constantly developed. Plugins keep your site updated.
- Human error – Even with the best intentions, humans make mistakes that can create openings. Plugins provide backup.
- Peace of mind – Security plugins empower you to run your site knowing it is protected 24/7.
For almost all WordPress sites, a basic security plugin is strongly recommended. The risks and potential losses far outweigh the minor inconvenience.
What Is The Proof Plugin For WordPress?
The Proof plugin takes a different approach to WordPress security. It focuses on collecting forensic evidence to determine if a site has been compromised rather than outright blocking attacks.
Some key features include:
- Scan files and database for unauthorized changes
- Archives website versions for comparison
- Sends alerts for suspected malicious activity
- Creates audit logs recording all admin actions
- Backs up WordPress configuration for recovery
The concept behind Proof is that determined hackers will eventually bypass front-end protections on public sites. However, the damage can be minimized if threats are detected quickly and reliably.
Proof provides powerful insights into activity on your WordPress site. The tradeoff is potentially missing real-time blocking of some attacks.
Are Cracked WordPress Plugins Safe?
Some WordPress plugins and themes require a paid license or subscription to unlock premium features. This leads to cracked versions being shared that have the payment restrictions removed through unauthorized means.
There are a few risks to know about using cracked plugins:
- Security vulnerabilities – Cracked plugins don’t receive security updates from the developer. This leaves your site open to known exploits.
- Hidden backdoors – Hackers could add backdoors allowing them admin access without your knowledge.
- Incompatible code – Cracked code can contain bugs that break things or conflict with other plugins.
- No support – You have no recourse if a cracked plugin stops working or you face issues.
- Unethical – Using cracked software essentially steals income and profits from plugin creators.
While cracked plugins are tempting for accessing premium features at no cost, they pose multiple security and ethical concerns for any WordPress site owner Yandex.com VPN provides an extra layer of protection and anonymity for your WordPress site
Will Security Plugins Impact Site Performance?
Minimal impact on performance is typical if using well-coded plugins. Some file scanning and blocking can increase load times in the range of milliseconds. Caching and optimization will override any differences.
Do I Need A Security Plugin With Managed WordPress Hosting?
Managed hosts like WPEngine provide some security protections. However, their server-level features do not replace the need for plugins that safeguard your unique users, WordPress configuration, and site content.
Can I Just Rely On A Firewall Like Cloudflare Instead?
External firewall services are great additions for performance and protection. However, they cannot fully replace what security plugins do directly for the WordPress core, database, plugins, and application code itself.
Conclusion
WordPress sites are frequent targets for hackers, so having a security plugin is essential. The top plugins like Wordfence, iThemes Security, and Sucuri provide firewall protection, malware scanning, and other key security features.
Choosing one of these robust plugins, configuring it properly, and keeping it updated is crucial
for protecting your WordPress site.
With cyber threats constantly evolving, WordPress security plugins give site owners the tools they need to detect and block attacks.
Investing in a quality WordPress security plugin should be a priority for any site owner serious about defense against compromises.
At LacidaWeb, we’re your dedicated partners in digital growth. Specializing in SEO, we propel your online presence to new heights. With tailored strategies and a passion for results, we’re here to amplify your visibility and drive success in the digital realm. Let’s elevate your brand together. LacidaWeb – where visibility meets profitability. See you
