Securing your WordPress site is crucial to prevent attacks, hacks, and malware. Using a dedicated WordPress security plugin should be one of the first steps you take.
In this expert guide, we will compare the top WordPress security plugins for 2023 to help you pick the right one.
Why You Need a WordPress Security Plugin
Some key reasons why you should not skip using a security plugin for your WordPress site:
- Over 2.7 million websites on the internet run on WordPress software making it a prime target.
- Hackers use brute force attacks and malware to break into sites to steal data, plant viruses or ransomware.
- WordPress sites without any security can get hacked in under 60 seconds.
A WordPress security plugin helps protect in the following ways:
- Blocks brute force login attempts
- Prevents exploiting vulnerabilities and shortcomings in WordPress core, plugins or themes
- Scans and detects existing malware and removes it to clean up your site
- Offers firewall protection and security hardening of the WordPress installation
Top WordPress Security Plugins for 2023
Based on features, protection capabilities, ease of use and user ratings – here are the top recommended WordPress security plugins:
1. Wordfence
Wordfence is the most downloaded and widely used WordPress security plugin. Their free version includes:
- Real-time blocking of known malicious IP addresses
- Scans for malware, backdoors and hacked files
- Defense against brute force password attacks
- Firewall blocking malicious requests
The paid plans add premium support, country blocking, cellphone sign-in security, live traffic and advanced scanning.
2. Sucuri
Sucuri offers a website firewall for WordPress sites at the enterprise level with features like:
- Cloud-based firewall that filters all traffic before it reaches your server
- DDoS protection, bot mitigation, blacklist IPs, country blocking
- Reliable malware detection and removal
- Daily backups and one-click restore
- Website acceleration CDN and caching
3. iThemes Security
iThemes Security takes a proactive approach to securing WordPress sites with the ability to:
- Harden WordPress configurations against known vulnerabilities
- Block suspicious requests and activity
- Require strong user passwords
- Limit or restrict failed login attempts
- Detect and fix file changes
4. WPScan Vulnerability Scanner
WPScan has the biggest database of known vulnerabilities found in WordPress plugins and themes. Their scanner:
- Checks WordPress sites against over 23,000 known vulnerabilities
- Sends notifications when vulnerabilities or threats detected
- Helps fix vulnerable plugins or themes
- Free for small sites, paid plans for bigger sites
So those are the best WordPress security plugins for this year based on performance, features and value. Pick any one that matches your needs and budget.
Using a security plugin along with good password hygiene, backups and keeping software updated are crucial ways you can security harden your WordPress site.
