Top 10 WordPress Security Plugin to Secure Your Site (2025)
Table of Contents
- Why use WordPress Security Plugin on your website?
- What are the Benefits of Antivirus and WordPress Security Plugins?
- List of the Best WordPress Security Plugins
- Bottomline
- Secure Your Website with WP Creative
Let’s be honest. WordPress security is more important than ever. Period!
WordPress security plugins play a vital role in safeguarding your website from various online threats, including brute force attacks, malware, and malicious code. With the increasing popularity of WordPress sites, they have become prime targets for hackers and spammers.
Therefore, implementing a robust security plugin is essential to protect your site and maintain its integrity.
In this blog, we discuss the best WordPress security plugins available, offering a comprehensive overview of their features and benefits.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these plugins provide user-friendly interfaces and advanced security features to keep your WordPress website secure.
From free versions to premium versions, these plugins cater to a wide range of security needs, ensuring your website remains safe from vulnerabilities and potential breaches.
Why use WordPress Security Plugin on your website?
There are several compelling reasons to use a WordPress security plugin on your website. One of the most evident reasons is to enhance security.
By default, WordPress contains multiple vulnerabilities, and if you are not regularly updating your website or auditing your WordPress security or plugins, these loopholes could lead to your website being hacked or your data being lost.
This is the most obvious reason to install a security plugin on your website.
Another important reason is that security practices can help deter hackers by reducing the number of login attempts through features like two-factor authentication. These plugins also ensure that your data is backed up.
Furthermore, a security plugin can help protect your website from viruses or malware. Such issues often arise if you are using shared hosting services, where other websites on the same server can spread malware to your site.
Additionally, downloading themes or plugins from untrusted sources can cause similar problems. These are some of the most compelling reasons to have a WordPress security plugin on your website.
What are the Benefits of Antivirus and WordPress Security Plugins?
Some of the most obvious benefits of having a WordPress security plugin on your website include:
- Real-time Malware Scanning: Security plugins provide real-time scanning for malware, viruses, and any other threats that could affect your website. This ensures that any issues are detected and addressed promptly.
- Firewall Protection: Security plugins act as a firewall, creating a protective barrier against hackers, viruses, malware, and other threats. This feature is available in most WordPress security plugins, such as Wordfence, Sucuri, and MalCare.
- Login Attempt Limiting: By default, WordPress allows unlimited login attempts, which can make your site vulnerable to brute force attacks. Security plugins limit login attempts and often include two-factor authentication, providing an additional layer of protection.
- Vulnerability Patching: Many security plugins managed by reputable companies offer patching for vulnerabilities and loopholes in WordPress or its plugins, adding another layer of security.
- Backup and Restoration Options: Some security plugins offer backup and restoration options. While not all plugins provide this feature, it is a valuable addition that can be worth considering, especially if offered in premium versions.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication ensures that users need a second form of identification, like a mobile device or authenticator app, to access your site. This adds a strong layer of security against unauthorised access.
- IP Whitelisting: Security plugins often allow you to restrict access to your website to specific IP addresses. This feature, known as IP whitelisting, ensures that only authorised users from certain locations can access your site.
These are some of the most obvious benefits of using a top-tier WordPress security plugin on your website.
List of the Best WordPress Security Plugins
The list of security plugins mentioned will surely be helpful for login security, spam protection, content theft protection, backup plugins & tools and more.
Wordfence
One of the best WordPress security plugins available in the market for scanning against malware issues. It offers both free and premium versions for users.
Also, it scans all the information and data of WordPress themes and plugins and will alert you if it gets any kind of infection. Using this WordPress security plugin, you will get your WordPress website 50 times more secure and faster.
For the speed of your website, it employs the Falcom caching engine which is a free plugin but facilitates advanced features if you can pay for it.
Advantages:
- Blocks Bruteforce attack.
- Adds two-factor authentication through SMS.
- Includes firewalls to block fake traffic, botnets and scanners.
- Scans your hosting for well-known backdoors that include C99, R57, and more.
- Scans your post and comments for malicious code.
- Supports Multi-site.
- Allows you to check traffic on your WordPress site in real-time and check if there is any kind of security threat attacking your site.
AIOS
The All-in-One Security (AIOS) plugin, developed by UpdraftPlus, is a top-rated WordPress security solution with over 1 million installs and a 5-star user rating. It combines ease of use with robust features, offering both free and premium versions.
Key highlights include login security, content protection, a firewall, and a malware scanner. AIOS is trusted for its proactive approach to protecting websites from brute-force attacks, comment spam, DDOS attacks, and other vulnerabilities.
Advantages:
- Malware Scanning: Real-time alerts for malware, blacklisting, and downtime monitoring.
- Advanced Two-Factor Authentication: Role-based configuration, trusted devices, and customisable TFA design.
- 404 Error Blocking: Blocks IPs generating frequent 404 errors.
- Country Blocking: Blocks access based on geographic location.
- Premium Support: Fast, unlimited email support with responses within 24 hours.
Really Simple Security WordPress Plugin
Really Simple Security is a top-tier WordPress security plugin for WordPress. Designed to protect your site without compromising performance, it simplifies SSL setup, strengthens WordPress defences, and offers robust features like vulnerability detection and login protection, all with a modular, user-friendly approach.
Advantages:
- Easy SSL Migration: One-click HTTPS migration with secure cookies, 301 redirects, and SSL certificate support (Let’s Encrypt).
- WordPress Hardening: Prevent code execution, disable XML-RPC, restrict usernames, and secure directories.
- Vulnerability Detection: Get alerts for plugin, theme, or core vulnerabilities and take immediate action.
- Login Protection: Enforce 2FA, limit login attempts, and use CAPTCHAs for failed logins.
- Firewall & Region Blocking (Pro): Stop bots, block regions, and set customisable rules.
- Advanced Security Features (Pro): Custom login URL, automated file permissions fixes, security headers, and content security policies.
JetPack Security Plugin
Jetpack is another great all-in-one WordPress plugin designed to enhance website security, performance, and growth. It offers real-time backups, malware scans, spam protection, and a Web Application Firewall to keep your site safe.
With tools like Jetpack Boost for faster performance, audience growth features like newsletters and traffic stats, and easy content creation powered by Jetpack AI, it’s perfect for managing and scaling WordPress sites.
Simple to install and backed by 24/7 expert support, Jetpack is a comprehensive solution for WordPress site owners.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive Site Security: Real-time backups, malware scanner, spam protection, malicious traffic limiter, brute force defence, and a Web Application Firewall (WAF).
- Performance Optimisation: Jetpack Boost keeps your site fast with tools for enhanced performance and improved loading speeds.
- Audience Growth Tools: Start newsletters, track site traffic, and grow your subscribers with Jetpack Stats and Creator features.
- Content Creation: Build engaging, beautiful content with tools like Jetpack Creator and Jetpack AI.
- Easy Installation & Management: Simple setup with options for auto plugin updates, activity logs, and site migration support.
- Expert Support: 24/7 assistance from a global team of WordPress Happiness Engineers.
It comes with a free version as well as a paid one.
CleanTalk Security Plugin
CleanTalk Security Firewall is a powerful WordPress security plugin that protects websites from online threats such as malware, brute force attacks, unauthorised access, and login monitoring.
It provides comprehensive features, including malware scanning, firewall protection, login security, brute force protection, and vulnerability detection.
CleanTalk also offers cloud-based security management with detailed stats and logs stored for 45 days, ensuring easy monitoring and control. By proactively preventing malware and other threats, CleanTalk safeguards your site’s reputation and customer trust.
Advantages:
- Security Firewall: Filters access by IP, network, or country; includes Web Application Firewall.
- Malware Protection: Daily auto scans, antivirus functions, brute force protection, and alerts for vulnerabilities.
- Login Security: Brute force protection, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), custom wp-login URL, and hidden login page.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Security audit logs, real-time traffic monitoring, and outbound link checks.
- SEO-Friendly Protection: Prevents Google penalties due to malware, boosting site SEO.
- Cloud-Based Management: Logs are stored for 45 days with detailed security stats for better control.
Sucuri WordPress Security Plugin
The Sucuri Security WordPress plugin, now owned by GoDaddy, is a free, all-in-one security solution for WordPress users. It is considered one of the best WordPress security plugins on the market.
It enhances website security with robust features like activity auditing, malware scanning, and blacklist monitoring. Sucuri also provides effective hardening measures and post-hack recovery tools.
Premium users can access advanced features like a website firewall and cache-control administration, making it an excellent tool for safeguarding websites.
Advantages:
- Security Activity Auditing: Tracks all activity for better threat detection.
- File Integrity Monitoring: Detects unauthorised changes to critical files.
- Remote Malware Scanning: Identifies malware and malicious code on your site.
- Blacklist Monitoring: Alerts you if your website is flagged by major services.
- Post-Hack Security Actions: Guides recovery after a security breach.
- Website Firewall (Premium): Blocks attacks and adds an extra layer of protection.
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin
MalCare is a robust and popular WordPress security plugin designed to protect websites with advanced malware detection, removal, and prevention.
It is loved by developers and agencies for its intelligent scanning that doesn’t slow down websites and its one-click malware removal feature.
With integrated website management, a cloud-based firewall, and customisable settings like country blocking, MalCare ensures round-the-clock protection. It also offers a white-label solution for agencies, making it an all-in-one security tool for WordPress sites.
Advantages:
- Advanced Malware Detection: Cloud-based scanner detects even complex malware without slowing your site.
- Instant Malware Removal: One-click cleaner removes all traces of malware in under 60 seconds, with unlimited cleanups.
- Comprehensive Protection: Blocks malicious traffic, and hacker bots, and enables country-based blocking.
- Website Hardening: Strengthens WordPress security against vulnerabilities.
- Performance Monitoring: Tracks site speed and uptime to prevent downtime and visitor loss.
- Agency-Friendly Tools: White-label solutions and detailed client reports for professional site management.
Solid Security WordPress Plugin
The Solid Security plugin (previously known as iThemes Security) is an all-in-one popular WordPress security plugin designed to enhance the security of WordPress websites by combining various security features into one solution.
It provides tools to address security threats, and common vulnerabilities, enforce strong security practices, and protect against threats like brute force attacks, unauthorised logins, and hacking attempts.
Advantages:
- Site Scanning: Quickly identifies and fixes vulnerabilities.
- Login Protection: Prevents brute force attacks by locking out users after failed login attempts.
- Database Backups: Schedules database backups to ensure data safety and allows restoration with .sql files.
- File Change Detection: Monitors for unexpected file changes, alerting you to potential threats.
- URL and Admin Protection: Changes default WordPress backend URLs to obscure login and admin pages.
- Ban List Management: Ban specific IP addresses and user agents using a dynamic blacklist.
- 404 Error Detection: Bans bots or attackers that generate excessive 404 errors, signalling attempts to probe vulnerabilities.
- Generator Tag Removal: Hides WordPress version information to prevent targeted exploits.
- Strong Password Enforcement: Ensures users adhere to robust password practices.
- “Away Mode”: Temporarily disables login access for additional protection during specific hours.
SG Security – WordPress Security Plugin
Security Optimizer is a free WordPress security plugin developed by SiteGround, designed to enhance your website’s protection with minimal effort. It helps prevent various types of cyber security threats, including brute-force attacks, malware, and bots, by offering a range of essential security features.
Advantages:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security to protect against unauthorised logins.
- Limit Login Attempts: Prevents brute-force attacks by restricting the number of login attempts.
- Custom Login URL: Allows you to change the default login URL to avoid targeted attacks.
- Advanced XSS Protection: Safeguards against cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.
- Lock System Folders: Ensures system folders are protected against unauthorised scripts.
- Disable Themes & Plugins Editor: Prevents unauthorised access to theme and plugin files via the WordPress editor.
- Hide WordPress Version: Hides the WordPress version to keep it hidden from potential attackers.
- Activity Log: Monitors site activities to detect malicious actions quickly.
- Post-Hack Actions: Provides steps to take immediate action in case of a site compromise.
Shield WordPress Security
WordPress security plugin Shield is the most powerful WordPress protection system built for the highest compatibility with your WordPress website. The plugin offers a simple platform for both newbie and experienced users.
Also, it provides a professional and business powerful management platform for website security, automated backup, disaster recovery, business continuity and more.
Advantages:
- Block malicious URLs and requests.
- Block the entire automated spambot comment.
- Hide and change WordPress Admin and Login page.
- Check out login activity and restrict username and user session management.
- Review activity of admin with details Audit Trail Log.
Bottomline
When you dive into the WordPress directory, you’ll find a plethora of WordPress security plugins available on the market. The challenge is figuring out which one is best suited for your website and business needs.
The answer isn’t straightforward; it involves checking each plugin to ensure they have the necessary features for your setup. If you’re in need of login attempt monitoring, malware scanning, and real-time updates, opting for a paid plugin like MalCare, Sucuri, or All in One Security would be ideal.
On the other hand, if backups and login attempt limits are your priority, there are free plugins offering these features. Keep in mind that some plugins may be compatible with one version of WordPress but not another, so it’s important to verify this.
Most plugins mentioned here are up to date at the time of writing. To ensure you have the best plugin available, check its settings directly in WordPress.
These plugins have been carefully vetted and are listed in no particular order, representing some of the top options available in the market right now. Feel free to install, explore, and share your reviews with us.
Secure Your Website with WP Creative
If you’re unsure which WordPress security plugin is best for your site, WP Creative is here to assist. We can help you identify the best WordPress security plugin tailored to your needs. Beyond that, we offer additional measures to ensure your website is fully secure.
Our comprehensive WordPress Security Plan is designed to address all potential security loopholes, safeguarding your site against Trojans, viruses, malware, and hacker attempts.
Book A Free Consultation today to explore our WordPress Security Package.
