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Free Plugin by Mark Maunder v9.0.0

Wordfence Security

Firewall, Malware Scanner, Two Factor Auth, and Comprehensive Security Features, powered by our 24-hour team. Make security a priority with Wordfence.

Wordfence Security

The facts

Rating
4.7★ from 4,983
Active installs
5M+
Price
Free
Last updated
10 Aug 2026
Added
Apr 2012
Requires WP
4.7
Tested up to
WP 7.1
Requires PHP
7.0
Downloads
423,371,583

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Wordfence Security is a WordPress plugin designed to enhance website security through features like a firewall, malware scanner, and login security. It employs a dedicated team that continuously researches malware and exploits, providing real-time updates to protect your site. The plugin is suitable for anyone looking to secure their WordPress site against various security threats.

The plugin includes features such as an endpoint firewall, malware scanning for core files, themes, and plugins, and tools for login security. It also offers functionalities for malware removal and checks for known vulnerabilities, making it a comprehensive option for WordPress users focused on security.

Best for: This plugin suits WordPress site owners looking for robust security measures.

What it does well

  • Includes a web application firewall to block malicious traffic
  • Malware scanner checks core files, themes, and plugins for security issues
  • Provides tools for login security, including passkeys and brute force protection
  • Offers real-time updates for firewall rules and malware signatures in the premium version
  • Has a dedicated incident response team for priority customers

Where it falls short

  • Free version has a delay in updates compared to the premium version
  • Some features, like real-time IP blocklist, are only available in the premium version

Verdict

Wordfence Security provides a comprehensive suite of tools for protecting WordPress sites from various threats. It is a solid choice for those prioritising website security.

From the developer

Mark Maunder's own description of Wordfence Security, lightly tidied.

The most popular WordPress Firewall & Security scanner

WordPress security requires a team of dedicated analysts researching the latest malware variants and WordPress exploits, turning them into firewall rules and malware signatures, and releasing those to customers in real-time.

Choose the right protection for you: Wordfence Free, Premium, Care or Response

Wordfence is widely acknowledged as the number one WordPress security research team in the World. Our plugin provides a comprehensive suite of security features, and our team’s research is what powers our plugin and provides the level of security that we are known for.

At Wordfence, WordPress security isn’t a division of our business – WordPress security is all we do. We employ a global 24-hour dedicated incident response team that provides our priority customers with a 1 hour response time for any security incident.

The sun never sets on our global security team and we run a sophisticated threat intelligence platform to aggregate, analyze and produce ground breaking security research on the newest security threats.

Wordfence Security includes an endpoint firewall, malware scanner, robust login security features, live traffic views, and more. Our Threat Defense Feed arms Wordfence with the newest firewall rules, malware signatures, and malicious IP addresses it needs to keep your website safe.

Rounded out by passkeys, 2FA, and a suite of additional features, Wordfence is the most comprehensive WordPress security solution available.

🔥 WordPress Firewall

  • Web Application Firewall identifies and blocks malicious traffic. Built and maintained by a large team focused 100% on WordPress security.
  • Real-time firewall rule and malware signature [Premium] updates via the Threat Defense Feed (free version is delayed by 30 days).
  • Real-time IP Blocklist [Premium] blocks all requests from the most malicious IPs, protecting your site while reducing load.
  • Protects your site at the endpoint, enabling deep integration with WordPress. Unlike cloud alternatives, it does not break encryption, cannot be bypassed and cannot leak data.
  • Integrated malware scanner blocks requests that include malicious code or content.
  • Protection from brute force attacks by limiting login attempts.

📡 WordPress Security scanner

  • Malware scanner checks core files, themes and plugins for malware, bad URLs, backdoors, SEO spam, malicious redirects and code injections.
  • Real-time malware signature updates [Premium] via the Threat Defense Feed (free version is delayed by 30 days).
  • Compares with WordPress.org repository your core files, themes and plugins, checking their integrity and reporting any changes to you.
  • Repair WordPress core, theme, and plugin files that have changed by overwriting them with a pristine, original version. Delete any files that don’t belong easily within the Wordfence interface.
  • Malware Removal Tools “Delete File” and “Delete All Deletable Files” options allow for efficient malware removal. Remember to investigate the scan results and backup files first!
  • Checks your site for known security vulnerabilities and alerts you to any issues. Also alerts you to potential security issues when a plugin has been closed or abandoned.
  • Checks your content safety by scanning file contents, posts and comments for dangerous URLs and suspicious content.
  • Checks to see if your site or IP have been blocklisted [Premium] for malicious activity, generating spam or other security issues.

🔒 Login Security

  • Passkeys let users sign in with touch, facial recognition, a device password, or a PIN as a simple and secure alternative to a password and two-factor credentials.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA), one of the most secure forms of remote system authentication available via any TOTP-based authenticator app or service.
  • Login Page CAPTCHA stops bots from logging in.
  • Passkey and 2FA management for WooCommerce and custom integrations allows users to manage credentials on custom account pages.
  • XML-RPC options including disabling or adding 2FA.
  • Password Security: Block logins for administrators using known compromised passwords.

📋 SECURITY AUDIT LOG [Premium]

  • The Audit Log monitors all changes and actions in security-sensitive areas of the site.
  • Remote tamper-proof data storage via Wordfence Central.
  • Monitor events and actions ranging from user creation and editing to plugin/theme installation and updates to post and page changes.
  • Configurable to log all events or significant events only, which includes all authentication, site configuration, and site functionality events.

Read the full description on the official page →

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