Blogging is a fantastic way to share your thoughts, connect with like-minded people, and even make some money. But, with all the benefits comes a serious downside: cyber threats.
As bloggers, we often overlook the importance of security, thinking we’re not significant enough targets. Unfortunately, the reality is quite the opposite.
Let me be clear – you absolutely need to protect your website. If you don’t believe me, install a security plugin and wait for the notification emails. You’ll be surprised by the threats.
I know it can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. I’ve put together a guide on how to choose the best free security plugin for your WordPress site.
Ready? Let’s dive in 🙂
NOTE: All my WordPress tutorials focus on WordPress.org, not WordPress.com. If you’re curious about the differences, here’s everything you need to know ☺️
Why you need to protect your WordPress website
In today’s digital era, the internet offers incredible benefits. Its connecting people across the globe and providing a platform to share our thoughts and wisdom. Whether it’s through blogs, social media, or online communities, we can easily reach a wide audience and engage in meaningful conversations.
However, this convenience comes with a serious downside: cyber threats. As we become more interconnected, the risk of hacking, malware, and other malicious activities increases.
The truth is, that cybercrime is on the rise. In 2023, cyberattacks surged, affecting over 343 million victims. From 2021 to 2023, data breaches increased by 72%, setting a new record (source: Forbes).
Some common security threats bloggers face:
- Hacking attempts: Hackers are constantly on the lookout for vulnerable websites. They can hijack your blog, steal sensitive data, or use your site to spread malware.
- Malware: Malicious software can infect your blog, leading to loss of data, slow performance, and even blacklisting by search engines.
- Phishing attacks: Phishing schemes can trick your visitors into giving up personal information, damaging your reputation and trustworthiness.
- Brute force attacks: Automated bots can try countless password combinations to gain access to your blog, compromising your data and your readers’ information.
If hackers gain access to your WordPress website, the immediate consequences can be devastating.
They might inject malicious code or malware into your site, compromising its functionality and endangering your visitors. This can lead to data theft, where they can steal sensitive information such as user passwords, personal details, or payment information.
Additionally, hackers might alter the content of your website to spread malicious links or propaganda. Imagine what this can do to your credibility and professional reputation.
In the long term, a hacked WordPress site can cause severe financial and operational issues.
You may face downtime while trying to clean up the site and restore it to its original state, leading to lost revenue and frustrated users. If you’re monetizing your blog, this interruption can hit your income hard.
Moreover, search engines like Google may blacklist your site, drastically reducing your visibility and organic traffic.
Recovering from such an event involves considerable time, effort, and sometimes financial resources.
When you DON’T need a security plugin
While security plugins are essential for many WordPress sites, they also have their cons. And there are legitimate scenarios where you might not need them.
If you’re using premium services like Cloudflare Pro or managed web hosting with robust security features, additional security plugins may be unnecessary. They will just slow down your website.
So the first thing you need to do is check the hosting plan. You should know what’s included in your package. In other words, you need to know what you’re already paying for 🙂
Paying for high-quality managed web hosting will get you server-level firewalls, regular malware scans, automated backups, and free SSL certificates. In other words, you’re also paying for comprehensive security for your site. Additionally, you’ll have access to expert support to address any security concerns.
The same goes for Cloudflare Pro. You already pay for high security, so you don’t need a security plugin on top of that.
However, if you are looking for budget-friendly options, finding the best free security plugin for WordPress is a smart move.
These plugins provide robust security features without costing a dime, making them accessible to bloggers at all levels 🙂
How to choose a security plugin
In simple terms, security plugins are designed to protect your blog from cyber threats. Their features might include malware scanning, firewall protection, login security, or real-time alerts.
There are many excellent free security plugins available, but how do you find the one that’s best for you?
Well, you need to consider several key factors to make an informed decision.
1. Assess your security needs
Before choosing a plugin, evaluate your specific security requirements. Consider the following:
- Type of content: If you handle sensitive information, prioritize plugins with strong encryption and data protection features.
- Traffic volume: High-traffic sites may need more robust security measures to handle potential threats effectively.
- Technical expertise: Choose a plugin that matches your technical skill level. Some plugins are user-friendly and perfect for beginners, while others offer advanced features for experienced users.
2. Check compatibility and performance
Your security plugin has to be compatible with your WordPress theme and other plugins. Test your site thoroughly to make sure the plugin didn’t break things and it’s compatible with all your other plugins and functions.
While every security plugin may slow down your site slightly, a good security plugin strikes a balance between robust protection and minimal performance impact.
Test your site thoroughly to confirm that the plugin you choose is efficient and doesn’t negatively impact your site’s speed.
3. Check user reviews and ratings
Read user reviews and ratings to get insights into real-world performance and reliability. Pay attention to feedback about customer support, ease of use, and the effectiveness of the security features.
4. Support and updates
Choose a plugin that is regularly updated to address new security threats. Good documentation and customer support are essential, especially if you encounter issues or need help configuring the plugin.
Look for plugins from reputable developers with a track record of providing timely updates and excellent support.
5. Read recommendations from trusted sources
Look at what the other bloggers, WordPress experts, and other trusted sources recommend.
Best free security plugins for WordPress
Now that we’ve covered the essentials, let’s move to my top recommendations for the best free security plugins for WordPress websites.
There is just one more thing I have to say – even the most user-friendly security plugin needs to be configured properly. This means that you have to spend time playing with settings.
And if you are not tech-savvy, you might need to Google the best settings for you.
Before you start setting up your new plugin, create a complete backup of your site!
If you don’t know how here’s a detailed guide on how to back up your site for free.
I’ll say it again, back up your site first. These settings can easily break things.
Now, here are my recommendations for the best free security plugins for WordPress websites:
Wordfence Security Plugin
With over 5 million active installations, Wordfence is clearly the winner among free security plugins. It offers a robust suite of features even in its free version.
Designed to protect your site from a wide range of threats, Wordfence provides comprehensive security that is both user-friendly and highly effective.
I have it on my website and love it.
Honestly, with its wide range of features, Wordfence offers a level of protection that is rare among free security plugins. It covers everything from firewall protection to malware scanning.
Wordfence key features:
- Firewall protection: The Wordfence firewall blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your site. It uses advanced threat defense feeds to identify and stop harmful activities, providing a strong first line of defense.
- Malware scanning: Wordfence conducts regular scans of your WordPress files, themes, and plugins for malware, backdoors, and other security vulnerabilities. It also checks the integrity of your files by comparing them against the official WordPress repository.
- Login security: The plugin includes features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA to secure your login page. This helps prevent brute force attacks and unauthorized access attempts.
- Brute force protection
- Scheduled security scans
- Plugin/Theme vulnerability monitoring
- File change detection
- Intrusion alerts
- Rate limiting
The free version has a 30-day delay on firewall rules and malware signatures.
Here’s a screenshot of an email I got a while ago:
The pro version has more features and they can even help you if your site gets hacked. Not many others offer this service.
All-In-One WP Security & Firewall:
All-In-One WP Security is another popular plugin with over 1 million active installations and robust features.
It offers a wide range of features:
- Login security feature suit: Protect against brute-force attacks and keep bots at bay. All-In-One Security takes WordPress’ default login security features to a whole new level.
- Firewall & File protection security suite: Your website’s first line of defense, protecting your site by monitoring traffic and blocking malicious requests.
- Content protection suite: All-In-One Security eliminates comment spam and prevents other websites from stealing your content with features like iFrame prevention and copywriting protection.
However, the Malware scan is available only in the Pro version.
I tested this plugin on my site and found its features to be robust. It took some time to set everything up correctly.
The interface is not very pretty, but it’s not about that, right? 🙂
Solid Security Basic
Solid Security is by far the nicest security plugin I tried 😀
They have a nice and easy-to-follow setup process.
They have six different site templates to choose from. So you can apply the correct type of security your site needs:
- E-commerce – websites that sell products or services
- Network – websites that connect people or communities
- Non-profit – websites that promote your cause and collect donations
- Blog – websites that share your thoughts or start a conversation
- Portfolio – websites that showcase your craft
- Brochure – simple websites that promote your business
Key features in the free version:
- Firewall protection
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Brute force protection
- File change detection
- Site scanner
- Database backup
There are a lot more features available in the Pro version. But I still like this plugin…
Sucuri Security
Sucuri Security is a popular plugin with over 800,000 active installations. It has been recommended by various sources, so I decided to give it a try.
It has a nice set of features:
- Security Activity Auditing
- File Integrity Monitoring
- Remote Malware Scanning
- Blocklist Monitoring
- Effective Security Hardening
- Post-Hack Security Actions
- Security Notifications
But the Firewall protection is only in the Pro version. For me, this is a deal breaker 🤷♀️
I’ve tried several free security plugins and ultimately decided to stick with Wordfence for my sites.
However, you might have different needs and preferences, so take your time to try them out and set them up correctly.
Remember to back up your site before installing any security plugin! And always test thoroughly.
Whatever you choose, make sure your site is secure and running smoothly.
Happy blogging! ☺️
