Best WordPress Security Plugins in 2018

In this article, we will explore the best WordPress security plugins available right now.

WordPress by itself already has its own set of security features built-in to their platform. Whenever a vulnerability is discovered, WordPress has its own team of experts that work on the security patch and roll it out as soon as possible.

The problem there is, while the WordPress team is still working on the patch for the said vulnerability. Your WordPress website is 100% free for hackers to prey upon.

This is where the best WordPress security plugins will come in handy as they would add an extra layer of protection from the hackers.

Here are the best WordPress security plugins in 2018.

1. Wordfence

Wordfence is undoubtedly the most popular WordPress security plugin in this list with over 1 million downloads and installations.

Their security incorporates endpoint firewall and malware scanner that they custom built especially for WordPress.

They also has Threat Defense Feed which updates Wordfence with the newest firewall rules, malware signatures and malicious IP addresses. This means that you can rest assure that your system will always be up to date with the latest security threats and block them immediately.

Some of the top features of Wordfence are:

1. WordPress Firewall
2. WordPress Security Scanner
3. Live Traffic Monitoring
4. Bruteforce Protection
5. IP Blocking

2. iThemes Security

iThemes Security, formerly known as Better WP Security, is a top tier WordPress security plugin that lets you protect your WordPress website in over 30+ ways.

This plugin helps you lock down your WordPress website, fix common backdoor holes, stop automated bot attacks and also strengthen your credentials.

The team behind iThemes Security has been creating WordPress themes and plugins since 2008 and has a really outstanding track record behind them.

Some of the best features of iThemes Security are:

1. Two-Factor Authentication
2. WordPress Salts & Security Keys
3. Malware Scan Scheduling
4. Google reCAPTCHA
5. User Action Logging
6. Online File Comparison
7. Temporary Privilege Escalation
8. Obscure Dashboard Area
9. Obscure Login Area

3. Sucuri Security

Sucuri Inc. is a well regarded company that specializes in website security. I have worked with their security tools before and found them really useful.

It does not come as a surprise when they finally created a dedicated WordPress security plugin.

Despite being a high profile figure in website security, their WordPress plugin remains free for all users to download.

Some of the best features of Sucuri Security are:

1. Security Activity Auditing
2. File Integrity Monitoring
3. Remote Malware Scanning
4. Blacklist Monitoring
5. Effective Security Hardening
6. Post-Hack Security Actions
7. Security Notifications
8. Website Firewall (premium)

4. All in One WP Security & Firewall

Installing All in One WP Security & Firewall plugin will upgrade your WordPress security to a whole new level.

This plugin enforces the latest recommended WordPress security practices and techniques thus reducing security risk.

The All in One WP Security also has a security points grading system which shows you how well protected your website currently is.

Some of the best features of All In One Security are:

1. User Accounts Security
   
2. Brute Force Protection
3. User Registration Security
4. Database Security
5. File System Security
6. File Backup and Restore
7. Blacklist Functionality
8. Firewall Functionality
9. Security Scanner

5. Shield Security

Shield Security boasts that they are the easiest security plugin to setup by simply activating it.

The way they do it is after activating, you will be presented by a step by step guide that will walk you through the basic configurations of their plugin.

The other attention catching feature of Shield Security is that it doesn’t constantly send you useless notifications. Unlike its competitions.

It will only send you one if it is of an absolute importance.

Some of the top features of Shield Security are:

1. Easy-To-Use Guided Wizards
2. Limit Login Attempts
3. Block Automatic Brute-Force Bots
4. Powerful Core File Scanners
5. Automatic IP Black List
6. 2-Factor Authentication
7. Audit Trail & User Activity Logging
8. User Activity Logging
9. Firewall

6. SecuPress Free

SecuPress is a WordPress security plugin that protects your website from malware, block bots and blocks suspicious IPs.

They have a dedicated security scanner that will give you a clear security grade and report for your WordPress website.

Currently, SecuPress is the only security plugin with a full scanner able to fix the issues for its users. It only requires a consent from the user to roll out the fix by itself.

In addition to this, once it is finished fixing the security issues it will give a grade for your current security level.

Some of the best features of SecuPress are:

1. Security Audit
2. Two Factor Authentication
3. XML-RPC Blocking
4. REST API Blocking
5. Firewall
6. Malware Scan
7. DB and File Backups
8. Anti Spam
9. Alerts

7. BulletProof Security

BulletProof Security is another complete package WordPress security protection plugin which many advanced users love to use.

What makes BulletProof Security standout from the rest of the WordPress security plugins in this list is that they allow you to custom code a security feature for your website.

Though their dashboard is pretty advanced, there is no need to shy away from them as they provide tons of written guides, video guides and also has public forums where you can join in.

Some of the best features of BulletProof Security are:

1. One-Click Setup Wizard
2. Malware Scanner
3. Firewalls
4. .htaccess Website Security Protection
5. Hidden Plugin Folders
6. Login Security & Monitoring
7. DB Backup
8. Security Logging
9. Extensive System Info

8. Cerber Security

Cerber Security is a WordPress security plugin that defends your website from trojans, viruses, hacker attacks, malwares and spam.

It can also mitigate brute force attacks by limiting the number of login attempts to discourage the attacker.

Cerber Security also provides you with a black access list and white access list. The latter will help you to not get accidentally locked out of your website.

The Cerber Security also has its own anti-spam engine which does not require reCaptcha and it is compatible with the popular form plugins.

Some of the best features Cerber Security has are:

1. Limit Login Attempts
2. Permit or Restrict Access
3. Cerber Anti-Spam Engine
4. File Integrity Checker
5. Disable WP REST API
6. Disable XML-RPC
7. Stop User Enumeration
8. Malware Scanner

9. Jetpack

Jetpack is an all rounder WordPress plugin which has services for design, marketing and security.

If we focus on the security features,  they provide automatic defense against hacking, malware, spam, data loss and downtime.

Jetpack also offers a notification in case your website went down by receiving an email or a push notification on your mobile app.

Some of the best features of Jetpack are:

1. Brute Force Attack Protection
2. Spam Filtering
3. Downtime Monitoring
4. Daily or Real-Time Backups
5. Two-Factor Authentication
6. Malware Scanning
7. Fast & Reliable Support

10. Anti-Malware Security

Anti-Malware Security is a WordPress security plugin created for the sole purpose of helping admins clean infection off their websites.

The creator of this plugin was inspired to create a WordPress security plugin after his WordPress website was hacked.

The Anti-Malware scanner searches for viruses, malware, trojan back doors and other security threats or vulnerabilities on your server.

If vulnerabilities or security threats where found, the plugin will help and give suggestions on how to fix them.

Some of the main features of Anti-Malware Security are:

1. Website Firewall
2. Malware Scanner
3. File Integrity Checker
4. Brute Force Protection
5. DDoS Protection
6. Malware & Virus Removal

Conclusion

All of the WordPress security plugins mentioned above are complete package plugins which mostly include protection from viruses, malwares, trojans, spams and bruteforce attacks.

I highly recommend the top 4 in this list but you are still open to try the ones below them.

Just remember to keep your security plugin up to date at all times. If they provide an auto update feature then I highly recommend to keep it enabled.