TOP 3 WordPress security plugins that you must have in 2023

As you may know by now, WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world.

This is because It allows its users to easily create, manage, and publish content on their websites without needing extensive technical knowledge or coding skills.

From simple blogs to complex ecommerce stores, WordPress can do it all! And for the most part its free!

Another cool thing is the fact that WordPress is open-source software, meaning it is free to use, and its code is available for anyone to modify and customize.

Speaking of witch…with all this customization and popularity comes a great responsibility.

Meaning that in 2022 alone WordPress was one of the most targeted platforms by hackers and spammers. Because the CMS is so popular it also prins unwanted attention to the table.

Even now in 2023 in the latest version of the platform there are still a ton of common „vulnerabilities” that hackers can exploit in the hopes that they take control of your web page.

But how we can prevent that?

First of all im gonna list here some easy end very effective ways to make sure that your website wont get compromised that easy.

This doesn’t mean that you website will be „hacker proof”. I really dont think this will ever be the case, no matter how complex is your security strategy.

But at least it gives you a starting point to prevent the most common attacks.

Some of this methods apply to other self-hosted platforms, even those that are not related to web services at all.

1. Ensure that you always run the latest version of WordPress. Updates often include security patches and bug fixes that protect your website from known vulnerabilities.
2. Use complex and unique passwords for all user accounts, especially for the admin account. Avoid using common passwords and consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.
3. Limit the number of login attempts allowed to prevent brute force attacks. You can use plugins that add this functionality to your WordPress website.
4. Implement 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your login process. This requires users to provide a second form of identification, such as a code sent to their phone, in addition to their password.
5. Choose a reputable hosting provider that offers security features and ensures regular backups. Additionally, use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to encrypt data transmitted between your website and its visitors.
6. Only download and install themes and plugins from trusted sources, such as the official WordPress repository. Dont install nulled themes and plugins they also might include malicious code that can compromise your website.
7. Assign the appropriate user roles and permissions to each user. Limit access to sensitive settings and information to reduce the risk of unauthorized changes. Also delete any old user that is no longer working with you.
8. Prevent attackers from modifying your theme and plugin files by disabling the file editor from the WordPress dashboard. This can be done by adding a line of code to the wp-config.php file, just at line define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true); at the end of the file.
9. Perform regular backups of your WordPress website and store them securely off-site. In case of a security breach or data loss, backups will help you restore your site to a previous state.
10. Use security plugins to monitor and log website activity or you can do this directly from Cpanel. This allows you to identify suspicious behavior and potential security threats.

WordPress Security Plugins to install in your site

The plugins that im about to mention will not make your website unhackable!

But most certainly it will make a hackers jobs way more complicated and offer you some piece of mind.

All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall (Free&Premium)

This is one of the best WordPress security plugins that i use in most of my installations for my clients and on my personal projects.

Basically All-In-One Security (AIOS) a WordPress security plugin that provides fast number of security features and a web application firewall (WAF) to help protect your WordPress website from potential threats and vulnerabilities. It is designed to enhance the security of your site and prevent common attack attempts.

On the free version of the plugin you get most of the features that will fulfill 90% of your needs. But there is also a premium version that extends the functionality.

Some of the key features offered by the All-In-One Security (AIOS) plugin include:

1. Firewall: The plugin includes a web application firewall (WAF) that helps block malicious requests and filter out harmful traffic before it reaches your website.
2. Brute Force Attack Prevention: AIOS can limit the number of login attempts to prevent brute force attacks, where hackers try multiple combinations of usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access.
3. File System Security: The plugin monitors and protects critical WordPress files and directories from unauthorized modifications.
4. 2FA: You can use Googles Authenticator to generate login codes for privileged users in your website. This is an extra layer of protector against brute force attacks.
5. Database Security: AIOS helps secure your WordPress database by changing the default database prefix and detecting potential vulnerabilities.
6. Blacklist Manager: This feature allows you to block specific IP addresses or user agents that are known to be malicious or suspicious.
7. Security Scanner: AIOS can scan your website for potential security issues, vulnerabilities, and malware.
8. Login Security: The plugin offers options to enhance login security, such as limiting login attempts, enforcing strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication.
9. Comment SPAM Security: AIOS includes measures to prevent comment spam and malicious content from being posted on your website.
10. htaccess and wp-config.php Backup and Restore: The plugin provides the ability to back up and restore your .htaccess and wp-config.php files, which are crucial for website security.
11. Notification and Alert System: AIOS can notify you of any security-related events or potential threats via email.

It’s important to note that while security plugins like All-In-One Security (AIOS) can significantly enhance the security of your WordPress website, website security is a multifaceted topic that requires a combination of good security practices, regular updates, strong passwords, and regular backups. Using a security plugin is just one part of a comprehensive security strategy.

Blackhole for Bad Bots (Free&Premium)

If you encounter a lot of spam in your comment section this plugin might help you.

Blackhole for Bad Bots is a powerful WordPress security plugin designed to detect and identify malicious bots that attempt to infiltrate your website.

These bots are automated scripts used by cybercriminals for various malicious activities, such as spamming, scraping content, launching DDoS attacks, and exploiting vulnerabilities.

Once the malicious bots are identified, the plugin strategically deploys a “blackhole trap” on your website. This trap acts as a hidden link or entry point that lures the bad bots, enticing them to follow the link under the impression of accessing valuable or hidden content.

However, without the bot knowing it, this link leads to a dead-end, trapping it in an infinite loop.

The plugin maintains a comprehensive log of all the blocked bots, providing website owners with valuable insights into the types and number of malicious bots attempting to infiltrate their site. This logging feature allows for continuous monitoring and serves as a reference for future security enhancements.

WP Activity Log

Sometimes its crucial to see what users are doing inside your website.

This statement is true for platforms that have a large user base and also for online shops that deal with thousands of customers.

WP Activity Log is a feature-rich WordPress plugin designed to monitor and record all user activity on your website.

From administrators to editors, every action is meticulously logged, creating a comprehensive user activity log. With this plugin, you gain full control and visibility over your website, ensuring its security, integrity, and performance of your site.

The plugin diligently keeps track of various user actions, such as content edits, logins, logouts, plugin installations, theme changes, and even failed login attempts.

It maintains a detailed record of every user’s activity, complete with timestamps and IP addresses, allowing you to identify potential security threats and monitor user engagement.

When an issue arises, the ability to trace back user activity is invaluable.

WP Activity Log simplifies the troubleshooting process by providing a chronological record of all changes made to your website. Whether it’s debugging a technical glitch or undoing an unintended modification, this plugin makes the process efficient and hassle-free.

In conclusion, WordPress security plugins play a pivotal role in fortifying your website against a myriad of potential threats and vulnerabilities. In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, having a robust security solution is not a luxury but a necessity for every website owner.

However, it’s crucial to remember that no security plugin can guarantee 100% protection. A holistic approach to website security involves a combination of best practices, regular updates, strong passwords, backups, and continuous monitoring. Additionally, maintaining an updated WordPress core, themes, and plugins is fundamental to keeping your website safe.