This blog post will list some of the best WordPress security firewall plugins to stop hackers trying to hack your website. While wordpress is known for its flexibility and ease of use, it’s also prone to security vulnerabilities that can lead to hacking attempts, malware injections, and other malicious attacks. To prevent these risks, website owners need to install a reliable WordPress firewall plugin to protect there website from attacks by hackers.
What Is A Website Firewall
A firewall is a security system that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic to protect against unauthorized access. A WordPress firewall plugin works by analyzing web traffic and blocking suspicious requests that may harm your site. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best WordPress firewall plugins to stop hackers which you can use to secure your website.
Wordfence Security Plugin
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security
Wordfence Security is a popular WordPress firewall plugin that provides real-time protection against known and unknown attacks. The plugin is packed with features such as a firewall, malware scanner, login security, and two-factor authentication. Wordfence uses machine learning algorithms to detect and block attacks in real-time, and it updates its threat intelligence every 30 minutes to stay ahead of emerging threats.
The plugin also comes with a web application firewall (WAF) that can block malicious requests before they reach your site. Additionally, it includes an IP blacklist feature that lets you block traffic from specific countries or IP addresses. Wordfence Security is free to use, but some advanced features require a premium subscription.
Advantages
- Protection against most kinds of threats
- Brute force protection
- Global IP protection
- Firewall rules updated in real-time for premium version
- Whitelisting options
- Geoblocking
- Vulnerability protection
- Traffic logs
Disadvantages
- Uses tremendous amounts of server resources
- Free version is at a plugin level
- Free firewall receives updates later than the premium version
- Too many alerts
Sucuri Security Plugin
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening
Sucuri Security is another popular WordPress firewall plugin that provides robust protection against website attacks. The plugin comes with a powerful firewall that can block malicious traffic, a malware scanner that can detect and remove infections, and a security activity audit log that tracks all activity on your website.
Sucuri also offers a website firewall (WAF) service that sits between your website and the internet, blocking malicious traffic before it reaches your site. The WAF service also includes a content delivery network (CDN) that can speed up your site and improve its performance. Sucuri Security is a premium plugin, but it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about website security.
Advantages
- Protection against most kinds of threats
- Brute force protection
- Global IP protection
- Protection from bad IPs
- Whitelisting options
- Geoblocking
- Vulnerability protection
- Traffic logs
- Custom firewall block page
- No alerts
Disadvantages
- Tricky installation for beginners
- Some configuration is necessary
- There is no free version of the firewall
iThemes Security Plugin
iThemes Security is a WordPress firewall plugin that offers a comprehensive suite of security features. The plugin comes with a powerful firewall that can block brute force attacks, a malware scanner that can detect and remove infections, and a two-factor authentication feature that can add an extra layer of security to your login process.
iThemes Security also includes a file change detection feature that can alert you if any files on your website have been modified. The plugin can also limit the number of login attempts and enforce strong passwords for all users. iThemes Security is free to use, but some advanced features require a premium subscription.
Advantages
- Two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security
- Powerful password enforcement
- 404 detection and plugin scans
- Scheduled WordPress backups
- Locks out any suspicious IP that scans for vulnerabilities on your site so they can’t gain access
- Sends email alerts to notify you of any recent file updates on your site that may be malicious
- Ability to limit login attempts
- Protects WordPress plugins and themes
- Although there’s no website firewall protection or malware scan, they do use Sucuri‘s Sitecheck malware scanner
All In One WP Security & Firewall Plugin
All In One WP Security & Firewall is a free WordPress firewall plugin that provides basic website security features. The plugin comes with a firewall that can block malicious traffic, a login lockdown feature that can prevent brute force attacks, and a file integrity checker that can detect changes to core WordPress files.
The plugin also includes a user account monitoring feature that can track user activity and alert you if any suspicious activity is detected. All In One WP Security & Firewall is an excellent option if you’re looking for a free, easy-to-use firewall plugin that provides basic website security features.
Advantages
- Brute force login protection
- Protects against XSS attacks
- Bot protection; specifically fake Googlebots
- Comment spambot protection
- Blacklist and whitelist capabilities
- Free firewall and security features; paid cleanups only
Disadvantages
- Can’t always tell the difference between real and fake Googlebots
- Advanced features can break site
- Doesn’t keep out all threats
- Causes frequent lockouts
Ninja Firewall Plugin
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) says it is a true web application firewall, which sits in front of WordPress. What that means is that NinjaFirewall installs like a plugin, but it loads before WordPress does. Load order is an important factor for firewalls, which we have covered in a later section. Suffice to say that loading before WordPress is a huge point in NinjaFirewall’s favour.
Advantages
- Blocks all major threats: SQL injections, XSS, RCE and more
- Brute force attack protection
- DDoS protection
- Loads before WordPress
- Blocks all attacks before they reach the site
- Protects XML-RPC function
- Multisite compatible
- Saves bandwidth
- Installs like a plugin
- Stellar support
Disadvantages
- Occasionally has errors that require complex debugging
- Steep pricing for just a firewall
Conclusion
Securing your website is crucial to protect your visitors’ data and your business’s reputation. A WordPress firewall plugin can help you block malicious traffic and prevent unauthorized access to your site. The four plugins we’ve discussed in this essay are Wordfence Security, Sucuri Security, iThemes Security, and All In One WP Security & Firewall. Each plugin offers unique features and benefits, so it’s essential to evaluate your website’s security needs and choose the best WordPress firewall plugin that fits your requirements.