9+ Best WordPress Security Plugins to Shield Your Website

Do you want to add a security plugin to your site to protect it from malicious attacks?

Every WordPress website should have a security plugin actively monitoring the site around the clock. This is because all websites are susceptible to various online threats such as hacking, malware, and phishing attacks.

A security plugin acts as a shield, helping to detect and prevent these threats. They also identify potential weaknesses in your WordPress installation, themes, or plugins and suggest ways to resolve them.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the security plugins that have all the essential features you need to protect your site.

Overview of the Best Security Builder Plugins

Plugin	Best For	Pricing	Free Version
Sucuri	Robust advanced all-around security solution	199/yr	✅
JetPack	Basic security for bloggers and small businesses	$42/yr	✅
SolidWP Security	Granular control over security settings	$99/yr	✅
Malcare	1-click malware removal	$149/yr	✅
All in One Security	User-friendly security plugin	$70/yr	✅
Wordfence Security	Real-time threat defense	$119/yr	✅
Bulletproof Security	Simple effective security measures	$69.95	✅

How We Test and Review Security Plugins

We picked the best WordPress security plugins by looking at their security features, user reviews, and how well they integrate with WordPress. Here’s our process:

We install each selected plugin on a test WordPress site. Then we evaluate the installation process, check compatibility, and explored features like malware scanning, cleanups, firewalls, and vulnerability alerts.

We review and test the plugins process and interface to check for ease of use, customization options, and reliability.

With most WordPress plugins, there’s no one-size-fits-all. So we look for unique features to help you decide if it’s the right security plugin for your website’s needs.

Our goal is to find security plugins that make will protect and defend your website and mitigate attacks with minimal intervention from you.

Why Trust WP101

At WP101, we have 16+ years of experience teaching WordPress to thousands of people. Our team of WordPress experts reviews every plugin and tool on real websites. We also regularly update our content to keep up with changes in WordPress and the marketing world to make sure you get the latest information.

What You Need to Know About WordPress Security Plugins

Security plugins are essential for enhancing the security of your WordPress website. They typically focus on specific aspects of security, such as:

Monitor website for suspicious activities
Block malicious login attempts
Scan for malware and viruses
Harden security configurations
Protect against brute force attacks
Implement firewall rules
Detect and block malicious IPs

We recommend that every website have a reliable security plugin actively monitoring it.

Over the years, we’ve tried and tested different security plugins, and in this guide, we’ve listed out the different plugins and solutions that are absolutely essential to keep your site secure. After that, we’ll explore more options or alternatives that you can use.

Before we get started, there’s one important thing you need to keep in mind is that these plugins are not a complete security solution on their own. They will not cover all potential vulnerabilities that you need to avoid.

These risks include:

Using weak passwords
Granting admin-level permissions to untrusted users
Installing nulled plugins that can infect your site with malware
Getting a free web hosting plan that puts your site’s data at risk.

Relying solely on a security plugin might give website owners a false sense of security. Users may neglect other crucial security measures, assuming the plugin will handle everything.

With that in mind, let’s get started with the most essential thing that should be a top priority and that’s using a secure web host.

Get a Secure Web Hosting Plan

To host a WordPress site, you’ll be using a web hosting plan from providers such as Bluehost, GoDaddy, or HostGator, and so on.

If you’re using a reputable hosting provider, you don’t have anything to worry about. But you need to be careful if you’ve subscribed to a hosting plan from not-so-good hosts.

Choosing a secure WordPress hosting provider forms the foundation that you can build on by adding other security measures, such as using secure coding practices, employing security plugins, and regularly updating your website’s software.

Plus, secure hosting providers have strong defenses against hacks and cyber attacks. They implement measures to stop malicious activities before they can harm your site.

Our top 3 recommendations for secure web hosting are:

Bluehost – Officially recommended by WordPress.org, they offer affordable hosting plans and reliable service. You get malware scanning, secure online payments, and domain privacy.
Hostinger – One of the most secure hosting providers with features like vulnerabilities & malware scanner, enhanced DDoS protection, and secure access manager. Plans include free domain WHOIS privacy protection.
SiteGround – Another fantastic web host known for ultra-fast web hosting. Plans come with enhanced security features such as the AI anti-bot system.

All 3 hosting providers regularly update their server software to patch security vulnerabilities and ensure a secure hosting environment.

They also offer firewall protection to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic, helping to block malicious activities and unauthorized access attempts.

You get automated daily backups for your website. This feature is crucial for data recovery in case of unexpected events, such as data loss or security incidents.

Added to this, every hosting plan comes with free SSL certificates. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that data transmitted between your website and users is encrypted, adding a layer of security.

Whichever one you choose from these 3, you’ll know your site is in safe hands.

Now, let’s look at the best security plugins that you can install on your website.

Best WordPress Security Plugins

In this guide, we’ve reviewed 7 of the best and most popular security plugins for WordPress. Here’s the list in a nutshell:

Sucuri: Proactive monitoring and comprehensive website protection.
JetPack: All-in-one solution for performance and security.
SolidWP Security: Customizable security for advanced WordPress users.
Malcare: One-click malware removal for hassle-free security.
All in One Security: Free plugin with essential security features.
Wordfence: Real-time threat defense and deep integration.
Bulletproof Security: .htaccess security for robust protection.

With that, let’s get started.

1. Sucuri

Sucuri is a powerful security solution for keeping your website safe from online dangers. It works like a protective shield, stopping harmful traffic before it reaches the website.

Sucuri provides a cloud-based website application firewall (WAF) that acts as a barrier between your website and potential online threats. This server-side firewall helps filter and block malicious traffic before it reaches your server, preventing DDoS attacks SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. It also comes with brute force protection.

The Sucuri security plugin provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows you to easily manage and monitor your website’s security settings. The interface is designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Take a look at Sucuri’s dashboard. You’ll see all your websites at a glance and their statuses.

If Sucuri detects anything suspicious, you’ll see warnings under that particular site. If you check the ‘Details’ page, you’ll see what Sucuri has found on your site.

So for instance, in the example below Sucuri’s scan has detected a malware infection with SEO spam.

To fix it, you simply need to click on the ‘Clean up my site’ button. Then you can fill up a form and submit it to the Sucuri experts.

They’ll take up your case and clean up your site for you. They’ll also ensure that all vulnerabilities and backdoors are closed so that it doesn’t happen again. Their support team is known for being responsive and knowledgeable.

This plugin also regularly checks for any bad code on the website and quickly gets rid of it, making sure the site stays clean and secure. It keeps a close eye on the site all the time, sending instant alerts if there’s anything suspicious happening.

Under Sucuri’s Firewall, you get advanced features like IP blocklist, country blocking, CDN, limit login attempts, and an activity log.

Sucuri Highlights

Protects websites from various cyber threats
Scans for and removes malware
Blocks harmful traffic with firewall
Defends against DDoS attacks
Secures data transmission with SSL
Removes website from blacklists
Offers DNS management & verification
Responds to security incidents promptly
Ensures ongoing security updates

Who is Sucuri For?

Ideal for website owners and administrators of all types who prioritize proactive security measures. Its comprehensive security features, including malware scanning, firewall protection, and DDoS mitigation, cater to those who prioritize website safety and uptime.

Does Sucuri Offer a Free Plugin?

Sucuri has a free WordPress security scanner available in the WordPress plugin repository. This free plugin is great for beginners who are just getting started with website building and don’t necessarily have the budget to spend.

Sucuri Pricing

Sucuri’s premium version starts at $199 per year. If you’re running a WooCommerce site, you definitely want to invest in a robust security system like Sucuri Pro.

Get started with Sucuri »

2. JetPack

JetPack by WordPress.com offers a suite of security features designed to enhance the protection of WordPress websites. This includes real‑time backups, a web application firewall, malware scanning, and spam protection.

The malware scanner feature checks your website for malicious code. If any issues are detected, Jetpack guides you on how to address and resolve them.

The plugin includes basic backup and restore functionality. It allows you to create backups of your website, providing an additional layer of data protection.

Jetpack also helps protect your site against brute force attacks by limiting login attempts. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access by blocking repeated login attempts from a single IP address.

Added to this, Jetpack supports secure authentication methods, including optional two-factor authentication (2FA). Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security to user logins.

There’s a spam filtering feature that helps protect your site’s comments and forms from spam submissions. This helps maintain the integrity of user interactions on your website.

Jetpack Security Highlights

Improves website performance with image optimization
Offers automated site backups for peace of mind
Provides site analytics for insights into traffic
Protects against brute force attacks on login
Includes downtime monitoring for site availability

Who is Jetpack For?

Suited for bloggers, small businesses, and content creators looking for an all-in-one solution. Its features range from performance optimization and site monitoring to security tools like brute force attack protection. It’s best for those who need a streamlined approach to website management.

Does Jetpack Offer a Free Plugin?

Free plugin available in the WordPress.org plugin repository with limited features.

Jetpack Pricing

Pricing plans start from $3.50 per month.

Get started with JetPack »

3. SolidWP Security

SolidWP Security (formerly iThemes Security Pro) is a popular WordPress security plugin.

The plugin monitors changes to your WordPress files and alerts you if any unauthorized modifications are detected. This can be crucial for identifying and addressing potential security issues.

It also tracks 404 errors on your site and can automatically lock out suspicious users who generate too many of these errors. This feature helps prevent malicious activities.

SolidWP includes a notification center that keeps you informed about important security events and alerts. This ensures that you are promptly notified of any potential threats or issues.

Like other plugins on this list, includes malware scanning tools to check your website for malicious code or malware. If issues are detected, SolidWP provides options for remediation.

You also get protection against brute force attacks by limiting login attempts and enforcing strong password policies. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your WordPress site.

What stands out is its Away Mode feature. This lets you lock down your WordPress dashboard during specified hours. This can be useful for preventing unauthorized access during inactive periods.

Added to that, SolidWP also comes with backups, SSL certificate integrations, and a security dashboard.

SolidWP Highlights

Implements two-factor authentication for secure logins
Monitors file integrity to detect unauthorized changes
Enforces strong passwords for user accounts
Offers database backup and restoration capabilities
Provides security audit logging for tracking changes

Who is SolidWP For?

Tailored for WordPress users who want granular control over their website’s security settings. With features like file integrity monitoring, database security, and login protection, it’s suitable for those who value customization and a hands-on approach to security hardening.

Does SolidWP Offer a Free Plugin?

There’s a free WordPress security plugin available with basic features.

SolidWP Pricing

Pricing plans start from $99 per year. The Solid Security Pro plugin offers a dynamic WordPress security dashboard that continuously monitors security events on your site. This comprehensive dashboard consolidates all security-related activities for your WordPress website, including tracking brute force attacks, managing banned users, monitoring active lockouts, displaying site scan results, and presenting user security statistics.

Get started with SolidWP Security »

4. Malcare

Malcare is a powerful security plugin, particularly for malware infections. It provides a one-click malware removal feature which is helpful if your site is infected and you want to clean it up fast.

The plugin regularly scans your website for malware and other security vulnerabilities.

In fact, its scanning algorithm aims to detect complex and hidden malware patterns, providing comprehensive protection. Plus, MalCare provides continuous monitoring of your website. You’ll get real-time alerts and notifications for any security events or potential issues.

Next, Malcare includes a firewall that blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your website. This helps prevent brute force attacks and other types of security threats.

Aside from this, the plugin also comes with login protection features to prevent unauthorized access. Users can also enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to their login process. It also uses login anomaly detection to identify suspicious login patterns. This helps in detecting potential security threats early on.

The plugin includes a centralized dashboard that allows users to manage multiple websites from a single place. This also makes managing multiple websites much easier.

Malcare Highlights

Conducts automatic daily malware scans
Offers one-click malware removal for convenience
Provides a web application firewall (WAF) for protection
Checks for recent file changes
Sends instant alerts for suspicious activity detection
Allows white-labeling for agency use

Who is Malcare For?

Geared towards website owners who want hassle-free security solutions. Its standout feature is the one-click malware removal. This makes it ideal for users who prioritize ease of use and quick resolution of security issues without extensive technical knowledge. They also offer a backup solution called BlogVault that offers real-time backups – perfect for eCommerce sites.

Does Malcare Offer a Free Plugin?

Malcare has a free version that comes with a real-time firewall and login protection for 1 site. It also has security tools like a daily malware scanner, plus vulnerability and uptime monitoring.

Pricing

The paid versions start at $149 per year to $2999 per year. This range of pricing caters to just about anyone including entrepreneurs, small businesses, large corporates, and agencies. It comes with instant malware removal, incremental backups, activity logs, 1-click staging, and more.

Get started with Malcare »

5. All in One Security

All in One Security includes a security scanner that scans your WordPress installation for vulnerabilities and provides recommendations for improving your site’s security.

It also gives you features to enhance user account security, such as the ability to force strong passwords, monitor user login activity, and detect and block brute force login attempts.

When you install All in One WP Security & Firewall on your site, a firewall is implemented to protect your website against various types of attacks. This includes SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other malicious activities.

The plugin provides tools to monitor and protect the file system of your WordPress installation. You’ll get features like file integrity checking to detect unauthorized changes.

Next, this tool comes with database security measures to help protect sensitive data. This may involve the removal of unnecessary information from the database and regular database backup options.

You can also blacklist specific IP addresses to block access from known malicious entities. That way, you can lockdown your site and keep unwanted traffic out.

Added to all this, you can secure WordPress with captcha protection, notifications and alerts, and regular security audits.

All in One Security Highlights

Features a user-friendly security dashboard
Offers brute force attack prevention with login lockdown
Implements CAPTCHA for additional login security
Includes file system security to prevent unauthorized access
Offers database backup and restore functionality

Who is All in One Security For?

Best for users who want a free, user-friendly security plugin with essential features. Its firewall, login lockdown, and user account security features cater to beginners or those who prefer a straightforward approach to securing their WordPress sites.

Does All in One Security Offer a Free Plugin?

Free plugin available with comprehensive features.

All in One Security Pricing

The premium plan starts from $70 per year. It includes malware scanning, blacklist alerts, uptime monitoring, and security reports.

Get started with All in One Security »

6. Wordfence

Wordfence Security is a widely used security plugin for WordPress websites. It’s quite popular as it offers a free version of the plugin that gives you access to basic website protection.

Wordfence includes a powerful firewall that helps prevent malicious traffic from accessing your website. It filters and blocks suspicious requests, protecting against common security threats.

You have the flexibility to customize firewall settings, including rules and blocking parameters. This allows for tailoring security measures to the specific needs of the website.

It regularly checks your website for signs of malicious code or compromised files. In fact, it runs comprehensive security scans, checking core files, themes, and plugins for vulnerabilities. It also scans for potential security issues in the overall WordPress configuration. If malware is detected, Wordfence provides options for removal.

Wordfence provides features to enhance login page security, including two-factor authentication (2FA), login attempt monitoring, and the ability to block brute force attacks by limiting login attempts.

What stands out about this plugin is that it uses a real-time threat defense feed that provides the latest information about known security threats. This helps the plugin identify and block emerging threats promptly.

You can block specific IP addresses or entire ranges to prevent access from known malicious entities. It also maintains a real-time IP blacklist based on threat intelligence.

Now there’s a live traffic view that allows you to monitor visits and hack attempts in real-time. This gives you valuable insights into your website’s traffic and potential security threats.

Next, Wordfence enables users to block traffic from specific countries if desired. This can be useful for preventing malicious activity originating from certain geographic locations.

Wordfence Highlights

Provides real-time firewall protection against threats
Includes country blocking to prevent malicious traffic
Offers live traffic monitoring for site activity insights
Conducts malware scanning with detailed reports
Implements two-factor authentication for secure logins

Who is Wordfence For?

Suited for WordPress users who prioritize real-time threat defense and deep integration with their CMS. Its advanced firewall, malware scanner, and country-blocking features are ideal for those who require robust protection and are willing to invest in a premium security solution.

Does Wordfence Offer a Free Plugin?

Free plugin available with essential features. It comes with an industry-leading firewall, malware scanning, two-factor authentication, rate limiting, brute force protection, vulnerability alerts, and more.

Wordfence Pricing

Premium version pricing starts from $119 per year.

Get started with Wordfence »

7. Bulletproof Security

Bulletproof Security is a free WordPress security plugin for WordPress security hardening. It includes a range of security features to help protect your website.

BulletProof Security focuses on securing the .htaccess file to enhance the overall security of your website. You get a basic firewall to protect against common web application attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

There’s a maintenance mode feature that allows you to display a maintenance page to visitors while performing website updates or addressing security issues.

Coming to login security, it will automatically log out idle users to enhance security. This prevents unauthorized access if a user forgets to log out. It also includes basic login attempt monitoring and the ability to block brute force attacks.

The plugin includes anti-spam features to help protect against comment spam and form spam. This can help maintain the quality of user interactions on your website.

You can create and restore database backups. Regular backups are essential for data recovery in the event of security incidents or data loss.

If you’re a developer, you can add custom code snippets and configurations to the .htaccess file for advanced users who want to customize security measures.

Bulletproof Highlights

Hardens WordPress with .htaccess security
Offers login security and monitoring features
Provides database backup and restoration capabilities
Includes anti-spam and anti-hacking tools
Offers security logging for tracking changes and events

Who is Bulletproof For?

Designed for users who value simplicity and effectiveness in security measures. Its key features, such as .htaccess security and login protection, appeal to those who seek a reliable, no-nonsense approach to safeguarding their WordPress websites.

Does Bulletproof Offer a Free Plugin?

The free Bulletproof plugin comes with a malware scanner, .htaccess website security protection, idle session logout, security logging, automatic WordPress updates, and so much more.

Bulletproof Pricing

Pro version pricing starts from $69.95 as a one-time payment.

Get started with Bulletproof Security »

Bonus: WordPress Plugins to Enhance Security

1. Really Simple SSL

Really Simple SSL is a free WordPress plugin that automates the process of configuring and activating SSL certificates on your WordPress site.

When a website has SSL, you’ll see a little padlock in the address bar. This tells you the site is secure. It’s like a seal of approval that says, “This website can be trusted.” This is because SSL will keep your personal and sensitive website information, like passwords or credit card numbers, safe from hackers. Even in the event of data or security breaches, the content is encrypted. It’s like a shield that makes sure your details are private.

The Really Simple SSL plugin lets you add SSL to your site for free. This will ensure that when people come to your website, they’re directed through a secure path (HTTPS) instead of a regular one (HTTP).

After configuring SSL, sometimes, there might be elements on your website that are not fully secure. Really Simple SSL helps find and fix those issues, making sure everything on your site is protected.

Get started with Really Simple SSL »

2. Duplicator Pro

Duplicator Pro is the best backup and migration plugin for WordPress.

Regular backups are crucial for ensuring that you can restore your site in case of data loss, errors, or security issues.

With this plugin, you can schedule automated backups of your entire WordPress site. You can store your backups in popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3. This adds an extra layer of security and ensures that your backups are stored off-site.

Get started with Duplicator Pro »

3. WPForms

WPForms is a popular WordPress form builder plugin that includes several anti-spam features to help protect your forms from unwanted submissions.

Forms are a hot spot for spammers and hackers to try to infiltrate your website. With WPForms, every form you create comes with built-in anti-spam features.

WPForms uses a honeypot technique to detect and prevent spam submissions. A hidden field is added to the form that only bots can see. If this field is filled out, the form submission is marked as spam.

It also integrates with Google reCAPTCHA, a widely used and effective tool for preventing spam. By enabling reCAPTCHA, users may be required to check a box to confirm they are not robots before submitting the form.

You can even add a custom CAPTCHA field to your forms. CAPTCHA challenges typically involve entering characters from an image to verify that the user is human.

Get started with WPForms »

Want to learn how to best use this plugin on your WordPress site? Check out our WPForms 101 Course »

4. Akismet

Akismet is a widely used anti-spam plugin for WordPress that helps prevent unwanted comments and form submissions on websites.

If you have a blog or a website with a comments section where people can share their thoughts. While many visitors have good intentions, some might try to leave annoying or harmful comments. That’s where Akismet steps in—acting like a helpful assistant that sorts through the comments to keep the good ones and filter out the bad ones.

If Akismet thinks a comment is spam, it doesn’t let it show up on your website. And if the plugin ever makes a mistake and marks a real comment as spam (or vice versa), you can review and adjust its decision. This ensures that you have control over what appears on your site.

Get started with Akismet »

That’s our list of the best security plugins for WordPress. We hope this list helped you find the best security solutions for your site.

FAQs on WordPress Security Plugins

Which plugin is best for security WordPress?

We recommend Sucuri as the best and most comprehensive security solution for WordPress.

Do I really need a security plugin for WordPress?

Yes, installing a security plugin for your WordPress website is highly recommended. While WordPress itself is a secure platform, it’s also a popular target for hackers due to its widespread use. Security plugins provide additional layers of protection against various cyber threats such as malware infections, hacking attempts, brute force attacks, and unauthorized access.

What are security plugins?

Security plugins are tools that are designed to monitor and protect websites from various cyber threats, such as malware infections, hacking attempts, brute force attacks, and unauthorized access.

What is the best anti-virus plugin for WordPress?

Sucuri is the best anti-virus plugin for WordPress. It has a trusted and reliable reputation in malware scanning and removal, website firewall protection, security hardening, and monitoring services. It’s particularly valued for its robust security features and responsive customer support.

Can I integrate security plugins with Cloudflare for enhanced protection?

Yes, many security plugins offer integration with Cloudflare, a popular content delivery network (CDN) and web security provider. By combining the features of both solutions, you can enhance your website’s security posture by leveraging Cloudflare’s DDoS protection, firewall capabilities, and performance optimization alongside the security plugin’s functionalities.

Can security plugins protect my site from PHP vulnerabilities?

Security plugins focus on safeguarding your WordPress site against various cyber threats, including PHP vulnerabilities. However, maintaining the security of PHP itself typically falls under the responsibility of hosting providers or server administrators, who should ensure PHP versions are up to date and securely configured.

Which is better Sucuri or Wordfence?

Both Sucuri and Wordfence are highly reputable security plugins with a strong track record of protecting WordPress websites. Sucuri offers a wide range of security features including malware scanning and removal, website firewall protection, DDoS mitigation, security hardening, and security incident response. Wordfence integrates deeply with the WordPress core and offers real-time firewall protection, malware scanning, and login security features to defend against various cyber threats.

While both plugins offer free versions, Wordfence’s free version includes many robust features, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious users.

Up next, you may also want to see our lists:

These guides will help you find the best plugins for your site to boost security, performance, and SEO.