With the preferred platform powering over 26% of websites, you must secure your WordPress website as a must! In today’s world, we have a lot to deal with; website security has become one of the most challenging tasks ever — cyber-attacks are more sophisticated than they used to be. Fortunately, some solid security plugins go a long way to protecting your site and do not charge anything. We will cover some great free WordPress security plugins in this blog post, with plenty of features to secure your website.
1. Wordfence Security — Firewall & Malware Scan
Wordfence: One of the most popular and powerful plugins in WordPress security, that helps protect sites from hackers.
Key Free Features:
- Web Application Firewall filters malicious traffic to keep your service running with unwanted access.
- Malware Scanner: Scans your themes, plugins, and core files for malware regularly
- Brute-Force Protection — reduces attempts for unauthorized logins;
- SecuritySign ins: Two-factor (2FA) + CAPTCHA
- Real-time: Suspicious activity and security events.
Wordfence is a straightforward, reliable tool for general site protection no matter if you are blogging or running an eCommerce store.
2. Strong Login Security and Easy Set Up with iThemes Security
Similar to Sucuri, iThemes Security provides a fairly easy-to-use way of enabling different security features on your WordPress site with an emphasis not just in fixing issues promptly but also on securing the login process.
Key Free Features:
- Brute Force Protection — blocks members after they have failed logins several times.
- Alter file detection: Notify you the moment your site files have been changed.
- EnforceStrong Passwords: Make sure all the passwords which users use, are strong.
- Database Backup — Provides basic backup for the database.
- Protected login page: Hides your log-in page so the attackers never get hold of it.
Best for: beginners, site owners with better things to do than spend hours setting up security.
3. Sucuri Security – Site Protection, Cleaning & Monitoring
As some of you may know, Sucuri is a popular name in website security offering a variety of tools that help make your WordPress site and monitor it regularly.
Key Free Features:
- Security Activity Logging (storehouses): Observe each single safety activity in your WordPress back-end.
- File Integrity Monitoring: Monitors the core files and determine any changes which might be hinting at a malicious activity.
- Malware scanning: Check your website for known malware signatures and vulnerabilities.
- Blacklist Monitoring – Alerts when your site gets listed in any security blacklists
- Firewall with an IP Tables/PF Firewall Script: Performs basic filtering of common attacks.
With Sucuri focusing on monitoring and hardening, site owners who want a more proactive security solution can confidently use it.
4. All In One WP Security & Firewall: Full-featured And User-friendly Protection
All-in-One WP Security & Firewall offers a complete set of features and is still very newbie-friendly.
Key Free Features:
- User Account Security: strong password enforcement and suspicious user login activity monitoring;
- CAPTCHA integration and login lockout features are included in Brute Force Protection
- File System Security – Manages file permissions and restricts the sensitive areas what IIS related files.
- Database Security: Provides the possibility to back up your data office and shield itself from cyber attacks.
- You can set firewall rules as per your requirements.
Combining functionality with ease of use, this plugin is a great option for both beginner and advanced users as it will provide the necessary firepower to protect your site.
5. Shield Security: Automatically, Securely, And With Full Respect Of Your Users’ Privacy
Shield Security offers dozens of automated features that run quietly in the background, ensuring your website is safe not only for you but also for visitors.
Key Free Features:
- On-Demand Malware Scanning — Perform on-demand scans to keep your site malware-free and compliant.
- Login Protection – CAPTCHA, 2FA, Session Management
- User Activity Logging: logs and records user actions – this is a core monitoring function for accountability.
- Plugin and Theme Vulnerability Detection — detects outdated or vulnerable plugins & themes.
- Brute Force Protection: Disable an unlimited number of false login attempts for robots —.
This one is great for site owners who want strong protection with minimal manual effort on their behalf.
6. WP Cerber Security & Limit Login Attempts
Of course, no security solution is perfect and WP Cerber Security combines the required general robust features such as anti-spam, malware scanning, and login security that help protect your website from most common threats up to a complicated backdoor technique.
Key Free Features:
- Anti-Spam Protection: Removes spam without your need for CAPTCHA or user verification.
- Malware Scanner – Automatically scans and removes known malware from your files.
- Brute Force Protection: This addon is used to Block Brute-forcing attacks.
- IP Access Rules: Create custom rules for allowing and blocking IP addresses.
- 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication): it is an extra security layer, which helps people when they log in.
For example, users who want flexible but powerful security options that fit easily with simple configuration settings should go for WP Cerber.
7. BulletProof Security: Probably the simplest yet popular security system for all WP sites
BulletProof Security is good for 1 of those steps: securing the vital parts and files on your website with just a plugin.
Key Free Features:
- Login Security: Monitor login attempts, and receive alerts on phishing activity.
- Firewall Protection: Uses. Security rules in .htaccess to stop the threats from reaching your site.
- Database Backup – Allow for scheduled database backups and instantaneous restore.
- File Monitoring – Detects and isolates changed or suspicious files.
- Under Construction Mode: You can easily put the site under construction mode to prevent security breaches. Maintenance(inertia)mode: It helps you safe maintenance and updates by disabling your website and showing a static page instead;
BulletProof Security is definitely for the minimal headache people who just want a solution to secure their site without endless add-ons etc.
8. Jetpack Security The all-in-one solution with basic security tools
Jetpack is a one-of-a-kind plugin that comes with several features — from Security to performance optimizations and much more. The custody protection offered by its free version is basic but still provides valuable service.
Key Free Features:
- Brute Force Attack Protection- Blocks Malicious Login Attempts Automatically.
- Uptime Monitoring: Notifies you immediately if your website becomes unresponsive
- Log of an Activity: Records all modifications done on your site.
- Spam Filtering: Keep the comment section of your website safe from spam and bots.
- Apply Daily Security Scans (Premium for best results): Performs security scans on your website.
All In One: JetpackJetPack is the suggested all-in-one plugin for users who want security, performance, and site management.
The importance of securing a WordPress website cannot be underestimated, with the internet becoming more and more like the Wild West every day. In addition to those on a shoestring budget, the plugins will be of great help given their strong security features at no cost. From the most simple of protection to more advanced tools, we offer 10 plugins that can help you secure your site and keep it free from hackers, malware, and whatever else tries to hurt you online.
Do not forget, good update practices and safe passwords or hosting are as necessary to achieve a secure WordPress website.
