WordPress Security Plugins

Features Needed in WordPress Security Plugins

Before moving on to the best WordPress security plugins, you should know what kind of features to look for when choosing security plugins.

1. Web Application Firewall or Any Trustworthy Firewall - or the ability to purchase this service. Some plugins may not offer this feature for free, but a firewall helps prevent malicious bots from accessing your website. It also prevents larger problems like intensive bot attacks that could exhaust and crash your site's resources.

2. Strong Malware Scanning - There are many ways to get hacked. If your WordPress security plugin's scanning feature doesn't scan for multiple types of hacks, it's not very effective in identifying things that shouldn't be on your site.

3. Assisting in Cleaning Infected Files - As a small business owner, you probably don't have the time (or technical expertise) to clean malware from your website's files. If your security plugin can compare some WordPress core files and free WordPress.org plugins with their original versions and provide a way to restore these files, it can save you a lot of time.

4. Checking Whether Your Website Is on Google's Safe Browsing List - Google, the most widely used search engine, flags websites infected with malware or containing suspicious content. If your website gets hacked and flagged by Google, you might lose traffic.

5. Emphasis on Strong Passwords and Logins - Your security plugin should educate you on basic topics like using strong usernames and passwords and logging in more securely. A security plugin that includes two-factor authentication can help you log in more securely to your website.

6. The Plugin Must Actually Work! - Yes, you read that right. Some people choose outdated plugins that are not compatible with their WordPress version. If your WordPress security plugin doesn't work, it's like holding up a neon sign saying you're open to bot attacks or being hacked.

Top 6 WordPress Security Plugins

Below are the best available WordPress security plugins. Some can be used together, while others might need to be used individually. Be sure to carefully read the description and features of each to choose what's right for you.

1. Sucuri Security
2. Wordfence
3. iThemes Security
4. GOTMLS / Anti-Malware and Brute-Force Firewall
5. Shield Security
6. All In One WP Security & Firewall

We'd like to mention that these listed plugins have hundreds of thousands of users who have proven their reliability.

1. Sucuri Security - Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening

Sucuri Security, a highly popular WordPress security plugin, offers the following features:

• Tracking user activities
• Tracking files and checking for changes
• Strengthening security settings to prevent malicious bots from installing malware on your site
• Providing a firewall for premium users (paid upgrade)
• Monitoring if services like Google, McAfee, Norton have blacklisted your site

2. Wordfence Security – Firewall & Malware Scan

Wordfence, with over 2 million active downloads worldwide, offers the following features along with a robust Web Application Firewall in its paid version:

• Blocking bad bots and fake Googlebots
• IP or country blocking (premium feature)
• Real-time monitoring and blocking
• Blocking users and bots behaving suspiciously or that could pose potential risks to your website
• Two-factor authentication
• Forcing users to use strong passwords
• Page security to prevent brute-force attacks
• Scanning files against WordPress core files, themes, and plugins
• Presence on WordPress.org
• Security scan for Trojans, backdoors, and more
• Support for multiple WordPress sites

3. iThemes Security

Formerly known as Better WordPress Security, iThemes Security was created by combining different features of various WordPress plugins into a single plugin. The goal was to provide WordPress users with a tool to address their security needs and eliminate the necessity of using multiple plugins with different features. This plugin offers many options to help users secure their WordPress websites.

4. GOTMLS / Anti-Malware and Brute-Force Firewall

More popularly known as GOTMLS in the WordPress community, Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall is renowned for its robust malware scanning. This plugin is suitable for users with a bit more technical knowledge. You can control most malware and threats on your website by using plugins like Wordfence and GOTMLS together. It includes a security firewall alongside the scanning feature to prevent vulnerabilities.

5. Shield Security – Scanners, Security Hardening, Brute Force Protection & Firewall

Shield Security offers various options to enhance website security. Some of its features include:

• Two-factor authentication
• Changing the WordPress login URL
• Brute-force attack protection
• Checking file integrity
• User auditing
• Email reporting
• Firewall
• User management
• Assistance in reducing spam comments
• Protection against hacking
• Automatic repair option for infected (virus-infected) WordPress core files, themes, and plugins
• IP management
• Hiding WordPress version, blocking XML-RPC, preventing file modifications, and more

6. All In One WP Security and Firewall

All In One WP Security & Firewall has almost the same features as iThemes Security. Then, when might you prefer All In One over iThemes? Some web hosting setups may not support iThemes but support All In One. I recommend downloading and testing each plugin to understand which one suits you best. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose the right one for you from all these WordPress security plugins.