With the increase in WordPress sites over the last few years, there is a growth in the data breach, malicious spams, and website hacking. WordPress security has become a big concern for every business today. Here’s where WordPress security plugins play a vital role in strengthening your site’s security.
Let’s talk through some facts and stats.
83% of all CMS based websites hacked in 2017 were running on WordPress. (Sucuri)
Sounds horrible.
The percentage of WordPress sites at risk is very high; thus, there is an immediate need to secure your site and lock out the bad guys before it’s too late.
Another shocking stat for all the WordPress users out there:
More than 70% of WordPress installations are vulnerable to security attacks.
This means, your site can be the hackers’ next target. Cybercrooks and botnets want to attack the vulnerable sites. It’s because they can easily break-in, and access every nook and cranny of a weak website like yours.
P.S. It’s Better to be Safe than Sorry
Both of the above statistics show that WordPress is a popular hacker target. Hence, it’s suggested to secure your dear site before the bots and spammers hack your site and misuse it.
Stop Security Threats with WordPress Security Plugins
Plugins are the software add-ons (or codes) installed on WordPress to enhance its capabilities. Different plugins are dedicated for different functions. Some plugins are used to speed up your site, some improve the SEO, and likewise, some boost the security of your site. Here’s what WordPress security plugins do for you:
- The security plugins strengthen your website’s cybersecurity and keep your site safe from the fraudsters.
- Also, the plugin helps improve your website, enhance its functionality and offer a better user experience.
- When you use WordPress security plugins, you are safe from brute force attacks, malware, spams or any intruder access.
Now, let’s explore the top WordPress security plugins that will help you lock down your site from any security attack in the future.
Our 9 Best WordPress Security Plugins of 2018
- Wordfence Security
- Sucuri Security
- BulletProof Security
- iThemes Security
- VIP Scanner
- Google Authenticator – Two Factor Authentication
- Jetpack
- Security Ninja
- Shield Security
1. Wordfence Security
When it comes to WordPress security, there is no beating Wordfence Security. This plugin tops our list because of the users’ trust. Over 2 million active installs prove its reliability.
Key Features:
- It offers the most robust security to a WordPress site.
- You can see traffic updates and hack attempts with its live traffic view.
- Wordfence helps block attackers and malicious networks.
- The plugin allows Cell Phone sign in, thereby, prevents brute force attacks.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 2+ million
2. Sucuri Security
Sucuri is another famous name for WordPress security plugins. Although this plugin has lesser no. of downloads, it is as trusted as Wordfence.
Key Features:
- It’s a feature-rich plugin. The features include Security Activity Audit Logging, File Integrity Monitoring, and Malware Scanning etc.
- With Sucuri security you also get more features like security notifications, blacklist monitoring, and security hardening.
- Moreover, its Post Hack Security Actions help you retrieve your site data after a sudden disaster or attack.
- With its paid versions you get multiple variations of SSL certificates, DDoS protection, customer support and much more.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 300,000+
3. BulletProof Security
First thing first, your website security should be your priority. BulletProof security is a tested, trusted, and an easy to use plugin for WordPress security. Also, it’s an answer to all your WordPress security issues. BulletProof Security offers ‘one-click setup wizard’. This means you don’t need to struggle through multiple steps to set up.
Key Features:
- This security plugin protects your WordPress site against RFI, XSS, SQL injection, and code injection hackings.
- With Login Security and Monitoring feature, you can easily monitor the activity and login attempts on your website.
- You also get Anti-spam and anti-hacking tools to enjoy a secured WordPress site.
- You can enjoy extra features to secure your wp-admin folder and root site folder with its premium version.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 90,000+
4. iThemes Security
iThemes is a popular and reliable name in the world of WordPress plugins. This security plugin adds an extended layer of security by banning the IP addresses of failed login attempts, and the hackers who have attacked any site earlier. The plugin scans your site thoroughly and then safeguards from any security risks. It’s a powerful plugin that you should download today.
Key Features:
- iThemes security instantly reports about the vulnerabilities or loopholes in your site and fixes them in seconds
- You enjoy more features in iTheme Security pro version. You get strong password enforcement, database backups, two-factor authentication and more.
- The plugin locks out the cybercrooks, bots, and hackers.
- The premium plan has even more features and starts from as low as $80 per year, which is quite affordable.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 800,000+
5. VIP Scanner
Want an easy plugin to strengthen your WordPress security? There is no looking further than VIP Scanner. It has a user-friendly interface that lets you locate the security loopholes in your website with ease. You must have this plugin on your WordPress.
Key Features:
- This is one of those WordPress security plugins that protect your website from malware and viruses.
- The plugin library allows you to create arbitrary “Checks” on your site so as to check your files separately.
- With five stars rating on WordPress.org, the plugin becomes so reliable and a must for your WordPress site security.
- Although VIP Scanner is a new plugin for WordPress security, it’s getting more and more popular every day.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 600+
6. Google Authenticator – Two Factor Authentication
Google Authenticator, also popularly known as Two Factor Authentication or 2FA is an amazing plugin that adds an additional shield to your site. As most of the hacking attempts are done through the login, it secures your site by adding the second layer of protection to your login module. It is popular worldwide.
Key Features:
- This is a feature-rich plugin as it provides language transition support, various authentication methods,
- The authentication method can be Google Authenticator, push notification, soft token, QR code, and security questions
- With Google Authenticator (2FA) you can select the user types who will need to go through the authentication process.
- You get multi-site support, once you move to the paid version of this plugin.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 10,000+
7. Jetpack
If you are a regular WordPress user, you must be aware of the Jetpack plugin. It’s probably the most trusted plugin for WordPress users. Why? Because it’s developed by the team of WordPress developers. Unlike other WordPress security plugins, this plugin does three tasks for you: it helps speed up your site, it strengthens your social media, and also boosts your website security in one fell swoop.
Key Features:
- You get regular downtime monitoring of your site.
- With its set-and-forget module, it prevents brute force attacks.
- It also has 2FA module to provide an extra layer of security.
- With paid version of Jetpack, you get daily backups, security scanning, and spam protection.
Not just WordPress security tools, with Jetpack you also get features like email marketing, social media management, and site customization. It’s a perfect plugin for your WordPress site.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 5+ million
8. Security Ninja
It’s not too old, not too new security plugin for WordPress. Security Ninja is a great plugin with that handovers all control in your hands. This means you can now decide which security module to use. It runs more than 50 security tests, thereby, is an awesome choice for the experimental WP geeks.
Key Features:
- Afraid of zero-day attacks? Security ninja lets you check for this vulnerability before time.
- the plugin protects your site from brute-force attacks and password strength tests.
- Its premium plan comes with a Malware scanner to protect your site from malware attack.
- You also get WordPress core file scanner and event logger.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 10,000+
9. Shield Security
Shield Security is again a trusted name that blocks out all the malicious traffic that could harm your site. It’s one of the free WordPress security plugins that have an easy one-click setup. Moreover, it’s step-by-step wizard will help you walk through the basic configurations.
Key Features:
- Shield is a ‘sandboxed’ plugin. This means the plugin critically protects itself in case of an attack.
- It has features like automatic Limit Login Attempts and automatic Brute-Force Bots Blocking
- Shield provides powerful Core File Scanner for malicious file changes and hacks detection
- Powered with amazing features like Automatic IP Black List and 2FA (including Google Authenticator and Email).
The only drawback of this plugin is that it doesn’t provide any malware scanner.
Starting Price: Free
Active Installs: 80,000+
Need more tips on website security? Here’s a full post about WordPress security and its best practices.
Conclusion
Every day hackers want a new target to attack; your site can be the next. So, beware and install a reliable security plugin today.
Just installing a plugin is not enough, you need to rely on a trusted, managed-hosting for a fully secured WordPress. A managed WordPress hosting provider like Breeze specializes in WordPress, and thus, is the best choice for your WordPress site hosting. Try out our 3 months free trial today. Use Coupon Code ‘RISE18’.