Best Security Plugins for WordPress
Best security plugins for WordPress help protect your website from hackers, malware, and brute force attacks. Since WordPress is a popular platform, it often becomes a target for security threats. Therefore, choosing the right security plugin is essential to keep your data, users, and website safe.
WordPress is an excellent CMS but it is attractive target for hackers and bots it is under attack by such for a hell of a lot of reasons. If your site gets hacked it could cost you a lot, your data would be lost, your site could be penalized by the search engines and your brand damaged so it makes sense to install a good security plugin.
Here is a list of some of the top security plugins, what they do, and how to choose the best one for you.
1. Wordfence
Reason it‘s awesome: Wordfence security is one of the most widely used and trusted WordPress security plugins. Features include firewall, malware scanner, login security.
Key Features
- Real time threat defense
- Scanning for malicious software
- Login rate limiting
- Two factor authentication (2FA)
Best For: Any type of WordPress websites (e.g. blog or business website).
Notes: Free is as good as paid but lacks country blocking. Paid automatically updates with newer threats signatures earlier.
2. Sucuri Security
Why it’s great: Sucuri is a powerful platform of security and controls detection and response. It‘s rooted at the server level and comprises a cloud-based firewall.
Key Features
- Cloud based web application firewall (WAF)
- File integrity monitoring
- Auditing of security activity
- Remove malware (premium)
Best For: websites in need of more comprehensive security and cleanup.
Notes: Sucuri‘s premium offers include professional malware removal which can be helpful if your website is already hacked.
3. iThemes Security
Why it‘s good: iThemes Security is all about reducing the risks by fixing common problems and tightening up default WordPress installations.
Key Features
- Protection against brute force
- Database backups
- File change detection
- Two factor authentication
Useful for: Site owners who want to easily tell how to make security adjustments.
Notes: The free version is decent, but the pro version allows you to schedule scans and provides additional protection.
4. All In One WP Security & Firewall
Why is it really good: An interface design friendly for a new user and visual grading of your protection level.
Key Features
- User account security
- Firewall rules
- .htaccess and wp-config security
- Login lockdown
Best For: Beginners or those who just want a simple visual summary of their security situation.
Notes: It‘s free and if you don‘t need more advanced firewall features it‘s a good choice.
5. MalCare
What I like: Mal Care‘s Intelligent Scanner is great for detecting deeply hidden malware that other scanners are unable to pick up.
Key Features
- Auto malware removal
- Daily scans
- Login protection
- Site hardening
Best For: Pre-existing hacked sites or high risk sites.
Notes: This cloud based scanner keeps your site stable as it does not connect to your server.
6. Jetpack Security Module
Why it‘s great: If you‘re already using Jetpack for backups, you can switch on its security plugin too.
Key Features
- Protection against brute force attack
- Monitoring of times off or downtime
- Activity logs
- Scanning for malware(paid)
Best For: Use on sites that already run Jetpack. Less interested in having a ton of plugins with light security needs, but don ’ t want to switch plugins.
How to Choose the Right and Best Security Plugins
Security needs can vary based on your site type:
- Small blogs and personal sites: Usually need a simple plugin such as All In One WP Security, or the free version of Wordfence.
- Business and ecommerce sites: go for a premium solutions such as Sucuri or MalCare with real time firewall.
- High traffic sites: Select plugins that have performance friendly crawling and cloud based firewalls.
A word of advice: running a number of security plugins that all does the same will clash eventually so just use one that does the majority of your needs.
Tips Beyond Plugins
A security plugin is powerful, but protecting your site doesn‘t stop there. Also consider:
- Maintaining the latest versions of the WordPress core files, themes and plugins
- Strong passwords and restricting login attempts
- Allow for two factor authentication
- Regularly make a backup of your site yourself ( use a backup plugin)
For taking WordPress Backups click here How to Take Automatic Backups in WordPress
Final Thoughts
Security—not something to add on as an afterthought! Even the most basic protections go a long way towards putting a barrier between you and hackers, downtime or the loss of your data. Begin with one of the plugins listed above and configure it carefully. Over time, review your settings and update your strategy as your site evolves.
