In the current 4.0 era, security is a very important issue that you cannot ignore.
On average, 18.5 million websites are infected with viruses and malware (with sites being attacked 44 times per day).
Only 90,000 websites were hacked, and 83% were using WordPress.
Don’t ever think “it won’t be my turn “.
And don’t think ” I use copyrighted themes and plugins. I am immortal ”
Even giants like Target have had the data of 41 million customers hacked.
This cost the company more than $18 million to settle.
Or even Facebook (using WP) was also stolen 50 million, user data
Imagine, one fine day your website was hacked, redirected to a certain website, lost data, set a backdoor…
As for the stories about web hacking, even a day can’t be over.
In short, if you don’t want to lose money, data, or sensitive information…. install a security plugin.
So what do we need to do to avoid being attacked by hackers?
In fact, being hacked or hacked! Mainly because users don’t “AVOID“
In other words, prevention, and poor management skills.
As simple as setting the user as admin and then the password admin1234.
Until now, some people have applied…
Some tips
If you do not know much about WordPress security, I have written a pretty detailed series, remember to find out.
Sometimes just a few simple tricks can make your website more secure.
Still the simplest and most useful advice.
- Update regularly – these will likely be bug fixes.
- Use themes and plugins from reputable places.
- Backup regularly (daily).
- Use a password and user name, unlike any other website.
- Get extra security plugins.
- Change default path (wp-admin).
- If you have also read all the security ways, and are still not very secure.
I will introduce you to the best WordPress security plugins available today.
It not only prevents attacks, detects file changes, and scans for malware, but has many other features.
Top 5 best security plugins for WordPress
1. iThemes Security
Formerly known as Better WP Security, iThemes Security is also a very good choice for WordPress users.
iThemes Security has 2 free and paid versions, but the free version has quite a few features and limitations.
The regular version will come with basic security like:
- Malware scans
- Google reCAPTCHA
- User Activity Log
- WordPress Security Key
- Ability to Import and Export
- Widgets in dashboard
- Check file changes
- Password security and expiration
The iThemes Security Pro version will cost $52/year, providing many more features that I think are much better than the Free version:
- Malware scan scheduling – Schedule scans
- Passwordless Login – Login without a password
- Privilege Escalation – Provides temporary access
- reCAPTCHA
- Security Dashboard – Displays a summary of the site status in real-time
- Two-Factor Authentication – 2-Step Security
- User Logging
- User Security Check
With iThemes Security, users are automatically locked out, after too many invalid login attempts.
This will help prevent brute-force attacks on the website.
In addition, the tool will scan the entire web and reveal vulnerabilities that are at risk of being hacked.
Once these vulnerabilities are identified, the plugin will help you fix them in seconds.
iThemes Security can even enhance the security of the server.
The plugin requires SSL for admin pages, posts, and other pages on supported servers.
Some points that I like about this plugin: Fairly easy to use – the features are displayed individually for each module, just toggle it on and off. Suitable for beginners – lots of security features, easy to set up. There is a real-time security parameter dashboard. But in return, the Free version is not as feature-rich as the Pro version.
iThemes Security also provides video tutorials, which are very helpful for users.
2. BulletProof Security
BulletProof Security is not really popular with WordPress users, but that does not mean that the tool has lost its place.
The developer claims that in the past seven years, not one of the 70,000 websites that have installed BulletProof Security Pro has been hacked. That’s pretty impressive.
This is an extremely easy plugin to install and operate with just a few clicks. The free version of BulletProof Security gives you access to features such as:
- Security log
- Security monitoring
- Malware scans
- Database backup
- Database restore
- Anti-spam
- Anti-hacking
I really like the maintenance mode of BulletProof Security.
This mode will keep the website safe while updating and maintaining the front-end and back-end – this is when the website is vulnerable or hacked.
Although the installation and setup wizard is easy for anyone to do.
But in general, I find the tool geared towards more advanced users.
BulletProof Security allows you to customize a lot of different security settings.
Therefore, before upgrading, you should use the normal version to familiarize yourself with the operation.
If using the paid version, BulletProof Security will be refunded in 30 days, users do not need to worry.
3. Wordfence Security — Firewall & Malware Scan
With over 3 million installs, Wordfence Security — Firewall & Malware Scan is one of the most trusted WordPress security plugins available today.
Wordfence has real-time protection against spam, malware, and threats.
Unlike other plugins in the same segment. Wordfence Security has a very user-friendly interface.
You don’t have to be an expert or tech-savvy to use this plugin.
One of the features I appreciate the plugin has is:
Ability to check website traffic and give reports.
From there you will realize who is trying to attack your web.
The data you see will come from visitors, Google crawlers, or malicious bots.
Another great feature of Wordfence Security is the country-blocking option.
It’s easy to block attacks coming from geographies with high rates of tech crime.
The free version of Wordfence Security offers quite a few features enough to keep your web safe.
Not only that, you will get firewall block and brute force attack protection.
Not many free plugins offer such completeness.
In addition, the Premium version ($ 99/year) will provide many valuable features such as: Two-factor authentication Real-time IP blacklisting Real-time Malware Signature Updates (constantly update new malware and remove them) The IP blacklist feature will block requests from IP addresses that have hacked other WordPress sites, also using Wordfence Security. This is probably the most worthwhile security plugin to use today, in my opinion.
4. All In One WP Security & Firewall
All In One WP Security & Firewall is a free plugin but packed with features.
The easy-to-use interface and manipulation are a big plus for this tool.
One of the reasons I included this plugin on the list is that the dashboard is pretty intuitive.
You will get a report and graph with web metrics.
Furthermore, the plugin also tells you what you need to do to increase security on your site.
Each security feature is divided into three levels:
- Basic
- medium
- Advanced
Users can apply the firewall option but it does not affect the loading speed of the website.
The tool will scan our WordPress site for vulnerabilities.
After these vulnerabilities are checked, the plugin will assist you in taking action to increase security.
Everything is measured by a classification system. The security levels will be based on each element on the web.
One highly appreciated feature of All In One WP Security & Firewall is anti-comment spam.
Getting a lot of comments on the blog is something everyone wants, but if it is spam, it can be very troublesome.
Instead of having to check each comment manually, the plugin automatically detects IP addresses that are thought to be spam and blocks comments.
If certain IPs have exceeded the spam limit, they will be blocked from accessing the website altogether.
The last thing, this plugin is 100% free. Unlike free versions of other tools.
All In One WP Security & Firewall does not save useful features on the paid version.
All features are completely free for all WordPress users.
5. Sucuri Security — Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening
Just looking at the name tells you this is a security plugin that helps find malware.
The Sucuri Security plugin has many outstanding features such as:
- Firewall integrity monitoring
- Malware scanning (Malware scanning)
- Blacklist monitoring (Blacklist)
- Check, and enhance security
- Push notifications
- Post-hack security procedures
- Firewall for website
All of the above features (except for the website firewall) are included in the free version.
If you want to save money, then Sucuri Security is a very optimal choice.
For most sites these days, a web firewall isn’t necessary either.
In the worst case you are hacked or attacked, Sucuri Security provides a feature to help you recover your website.
No software is completely resistant to attacks.
When something goes wrong, users will immediately receive a notification about the website and take timely action.
Sucuri Security knows this in advance and provides us with a support feature when the website is hacked.
This is a feature that I appreciate quite highly when users get the best support.
Regarding the security method on Sucuri, the tool will check and check the website status as the main thing.
This is not really scanning and checking files on the server, not effective if infected with malicious code.
Conclusion
So at the end, which is the best security plugin for WordPress?
It’s hard to answer this question, the best or not depends a lot on the needs of the user.
Some plugins have more advanced features than others, which is essential for all websites.
Some plugins are easier to use, especially for new users, and some plugins focus on advanced users.
But I still recommend you to use a plugin like Wordfence or iThemes Security.
Want to use a free plugin with basic features? Or the paid version with premium features?
All of these factors are up to you to decide, and I believe the 5 plugins I have come up with are enough to meet all of the above needs.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t forget to comment below!
