Are you trying to keep your website safe from hackers and malware?

In modern times, the protection of your website ought to not be taken gently. And with several safety tips and a safety plugin, you may defend your website towards major or minor safety issues of any kind.

In this post, firstly, you’ll find some common security issues explained in simple terms. Secondly, you’ll read how your website is vulnerable to these security issues. Further, I’ve listed the top 10 free security plugins that are reliable, tried and tested by WordPress experts.

Before you go to the list of security plugins for wordpress, let’s find out the

Common security problems that we face on our WordPress website.

Brute Force Attacks

This is the most common way to get access to your website. Certain attacks refer to the process of entering multiple usernames and password combinations repeatedly until the correct combination has been found.

File Inclusion Exploits

After the Brute Force Attacks, File Inclusion Exploits are the next most common security issue that can be exploited by the attackers.

This takes place when a vulnerable code is used to load remote files. That allows attackers to access your website. Most importantly, a hacker can access the wp-config.php folder on your WordPress website. That is one of the most important files on your WordPress installation.

SQL Injections

Your WordPress website is running a MySQL database. When an attacker gains access to your WordPress database and all of your site data, SQL injections occur.

A hacker will create a new admin user account with SQL injections. This can then be used to log in and access the WordPress website in full. You can also use SQL Injection to add new data, including links to malicious or spam websites, to your database.

Cross-Site Scripting

This vulnerability is most commonly found in WordPress plugins. 84% of all security vulnerabilities across the Internet are called Cross-Site Scripting or XSS attacks.

This works like this: An attacker finds a way to get a victim to load web pages with unsafe javascript scripts. Such scripts are loaded without the knowledge of the user and then used to steal data from their browsers.

An example of a cross-site scripting attack would be a hacked form that appears to be on your website. If the user enters the data into that form, the data would be stolen.

Malware

Malware, the short form of Malicious Software, is a code used to gain unauthorized access to a website for the collection of sensitive data.

A hacked WordPress site usually means that malware has been injected into your website files. So, if you suspect malware on your site, take a look at recently modified files.

Malware can be quickly identified and cleaned by either removing a malicious file manually or installing a new WordPress version. Or restore your WordPress site from an uninfected and previous backup.

What makes the WordPress site vulnerable to WordPress security issues?

Outdated Plugins and Themes

If you are not running updated plugins and themes than you are at a risk of an attack. The latest version of plugins and themes comes with security patches and improvements. Make sure you are running the latest version.

Tip: If you are running multiple websites or using many plugins and themes. And you don’t have the time for updating these. In such cases, you can use an auto-update plugin. It can automatically update your WordPress core (major and minor updates), translations, plugins, and themes.

Check out our list of 7 Best WordPress Auto-Update Plugins 2019.

Using Plugins and Themes from Unreliable Sources

WordPress websites can be easily exploited by hackers. If your website code is not well written, or if you use unsafe, outdated plugins from unreliable sources.

Don’t download plugins from any torrent or other unsafe websites. The free version may contain malware and may cost you the security of your website.

Tip: Only download plugins and themes from trusted and secure repositories such as WordPress.org, or premium plugin websites such as ZetaMatic, Kinsta, Envato, etc.

Weak Passwords

It’s one of the biggest security flaws you can easily avoid.

Tip: Use solid password combinations of letters, numbers, special characters for your WordPress admin.

If your password is too hard to remember, write it down somewhere or make a google document.

Using Poor-Quality or Shared Hosting

The server is the first target for hackers since the WordPress site located there. Using poor quality or shared hosting will make your website even more vulnerable.

Shared hosting may also be an issue since many websites are housed on a single server. When one website is hacked, hackers may also have access to other websites and their information.

Tip: Choose a private server to ensure that your website is free from any vulnerabilities.

Follow the above measures and you will be free from any common security issues on your website.

Also, using one of the best security plugins is a great way to add an extra layer of protection that can protect your website from advanced security vulnerabilities. Check out the list below.

Best WordPress Security Plugins

The first plugin on our list is SecuPress – WordPress security plugin which is new compared to others and growing fast. It comes with both a free version and a paid version. Above all, the SecuPress UI is very nice-looking and that makes it very user-friendly.

It can scan your website very quickly and it shows you an overview of good, bad and warning components.

Features

Anti Brute Force login

Blocked IPs

Firewall

Security alerts

Malware Scan

Block country by geolocation

Protection of Security Keys

Block visits from Bad Bots

Vulnerable Plugins & Themes detection

Security Reports in PDF format

Wordfence is the most popular WordPress firewall and security plugin. Also, the UI is very simple and user-friendly as a result, users like to use this plugin a lot.

This comes with effective security tools such as login security features and security incident recovery tools. This plugin is also available for free and paid versions.

Features

Scans WordPress core, Plugins and Themes

Security alerts

Helps speed up your website by using caching techniques

Protects from Brute Force attacks

Two-factor authentication

Block Traffic from a specific location

Firewall to block fake traffic, botnet, and scanners

Scans your hosting for known backdoors

Scans posts and comments on any potential threats

Monitor live traffic and hack attempts in real-time

Defender is another new WordPress security plugin in our collection. It is very easy to set up, and with just one click you can tighten up the security of your WordPress site.

Also, you can easily run scans and test the issues on your site. It checks for any file changes and reports you and allows you to restore the original file by just one click.

Features

Two Factor Authentication (using Google Authenticator)

Audit log

IP Blacklisting

404 limiting for vulnerability scans

WordPress Core File Scan and Fix

Alerts via email

Unlimited scans of files

Similarly, the All In One WP Security & Firewall is another popular WordPress security plugin. It’s very easy to use, and stable plugin. On the other hand, it is supported by a large community of developers who are always ready to help.

This plugin minimizes security threats by adding a layer of protection. Also, the UI is very visual with the graphics and the meter.

Features

Protects from Brute Force attacks

Email notifications

Firewall Protection

Notifies if any changes occur

Recommends to use stronger passwords

Monitors account activity for all users and logs username, IP and login date and time

Schedule auto-backup

Disables admin area to protect PHP code

Prevents malicious query strings, XSS, CSRF, SQL, malicious bots and other risks to security

Protects from spamming comments

iThemes Security is another popular plugin on our list. It’s known as Better WP Security. It protects your website against threats such as plugin vulnerabilities, weak passwords, and obsolete software.

It claims to offer more than 30 ways to secure and protect your WordPress website. You can protect your website from attacks with just one click.

Features

Protects against Brute Force attacks, plugin vulnerabilities, obsolete software

Scans the full website for any potential threats

Prevents unsafe IP addresses

Scans for recently updated files for potential threats

Adds an extra layer of complexity to the authentication path

Recommends to use strong passwords

Prevents from comment spams

Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan plugin is very prominent as well. It comes with a long list of features as well. Also, to improve your protection, it implements a lot of the latest techniques.

It comes with an easy to use and basic UI interface. There’s also a nice lockout option that allows you to be stricter during times when you’re under attack.

Features

Defend from many common attacks. Such as malware injection, REST API and an enumeration of users, and more

Firewall for the Website

Limit login attempts

Create IP whitelist and blacklist

Change login page URL

Two Factor Authentication

Protects all forms on your site (Contact, Registration, Login, Checkout, etc.)

Spam Comments Protection

Country-based anti-spam rules

Monitors file changes

Automatic Malware Scans

Email Notifications

Sucuri Security is a well-known plugin for WordPress website security. It comes with both free and paid versions. The free version lets you harden the security of your website and checks for common security problems on your website.

Besides security, it also helps to speed up your website and boost performance.

Features

Instant email notification

Blacklist monitoring

Malware scanning

Protects from DOS, Brute Force Attacks, other scanner attacks

Logs every activity in Sucuri cloud

Includes various blacklist engines for scanning the website. Such as Google Safe Browsing, Sucuri Labs, Norton, McAfee Webadvisor and more

Shield Security plugin claims itself to be a smart automation security plugin. It can handle any kind of threat without sending you bugging emails. It only sends emails when you need to take any action. Suitable for both beginners and advanced users.

It will start to secure your website as soon as you activate this plugin without any complicated adjustments. It comes with both a free version and a pro version.

Features

Easy to use, guides wizards

Limits login attempts

Blocks Brute Force Attacks

Powerful Core File Scanners

Automatic IP Blacklist

The only plugin that restricts you accessing the settings page

Smart Protection

Sends you only important email alerts

Two Factor Authentication options

Spam Comments Protection

Block REST API / XML-RPC

Automatic Updates Control

reCAPTCHA

Audit Trail & User Activity Logging

Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall is another popular WordPress security plugin. That’s very useful, too. The definition of this plugin is updated frequently to keep your website safe from any recent threats.

Also, It has a strong malware scanner that scans and detects any kind of vulnerability on your website.

Features

Scans malicious code, backdoors, malware, and other threats

Brute Force Prevention

Powerful Firewall Protection against malware

Downloads definition updates to protect against new threats

NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) is a site Firewall plugin. Although it can be downloaded and configured just like a plugin. It’s a stand-alone firewall in front of WordPress.

Also, NinjaFirewall can help website owners keep safe their websites from any kind of normal or advanced threats.

Features

Scans Monitor your WordPress website

Rejects any malicious HTTP/HTTPs request send to its PHP scripts or plugins

Filters encoded PHP scripts, hacker shell scripts, and backdoors with its powerful filtering engine

Brute Force Attack Protection

Real-time detection of any hacking attempts or any kind of attacks

Scans for file changes in your website

Live log

Notification alerts

Very fast, optimized, compact, and requires very low system resource

Basic UI

Conclusion

In conclusion, you’ve seen some common security issues that websites may face. You’ve also found some of the best security plugins for WordPress. Such plugins ensure the security of your website and its vital information.

Certainly, if your hard work goes to vain it won’t be good. So, make sure you use any of these plugins to protect your website from any kind of malware and attacks.

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