Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin Plugin

Bulletproof your website security in a few clicks against a range of security breaches, including brute-force attacks, malware threats and bots, with our free WordPress security plugin – Security Optimizer.

Proactively monitor your site’s security to detect any suspicious activity and take immediate actions to protect your site and prevent further damage with these essential features:

• Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) for an extra layer of website security
• Set Limit Login Attempts to deter malicious login attempts and brute-force attacks
• Change your default login URL to Custom Login URL to avoid attacks
• Activate Advanced XSS Protection to fortify your website against malicious attacks
• Lock and Protect System Folders to ensure no unauthorized or malicious scripts can be executed in your system folders
• Disable Themes & Plugins Editor to safeguard your website from unauthorized access via the WordPress editor
• Hide WordPress Version effortlessly, keeping it hidden from prying eyes
• Use Activity Log to monitor your site and quickly prevent malicious actions
• Post-Hack Actions to take immediate actions and prevent further damages

Developed by the website security experts at SiteGround and trusted by over 900,000 webmasters for its robust security shield and ease of use to safeguard WordPress applications from possible attacks on any hosting platform.

AWARDS:

Monster Awards 2022: Best WordPress Security Plugin 🥇
Monster Awards 2021: Best WordPress Security Plugin 🥇

Plugin Video

Plugin Tutorial

Unveil the vast array of features and unleash the full potential of our security plugin in our Security Optimizer Tutorial.

SITE PROTECTION FEATURES

Safeguard your WordPress application using our powerful site security toolset. Our comprehensive features are specifically designed to strengthen your website’s defenses against malware, exploits, and various malicious activities. With these tools at your disposal, you can ensure the utmost bot, malware and brute force protection for your website:

Lock and Protect System Folders

Ensure the maximum security for your application’s system folders by preventing the execution of any unauthorized or malicious scripts. The Lock and Protect System Folders feature acts as a powerful shield against potential threats.

Hide WordPress Version

Protect your website from mass attacks by hiding the WordPress version, which helps to mitigate version-specific vulnerabilities.

Disable Themes & Plugins Editor

Enhance the security of your WordPress admin area by disabling the Themes & Plugins Editor, preventing potential coding errors and unauthorized access through the editor.

Disable XML-RPC

Mitigate potential security risks by disabling the XML-RPC protocol, which has been exploited in various attacks. Please note that disabling XML-RPC will restrict WordPress from communicating with third-party systems. We recommend enabling this feature unless you have a specific need for it.

Disable RSS and ATOM Feeds

Prevent content scraping and specific attacks on your site by disabling RSS and ATOM feeds. Unless you have readers accessing your site via RSS readers, it is recommended to keep this feature enabled.

Advanced XSS Protection

Add an extra layer of website security against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by enabling Advanced XSS Protection, bolstering the overall security of your website.

Delete Default Readme.html

Eliminate potential vulnerabilities by deleting the default readme.txt file, which contains information about your website. By removing this file, you reduce the risk of your site being listed in vulnerable sites targeted by hackers.

Login Security

Custom Login Url

Personalize your login URL to thwart potential attacks and create a strong entry point. Bid farewell to the default login URL and embrace a bespoke path of your choosing. Additionally, you have the freedom to modify the default sign-up URL as well.

Login Access

Restrict login page access to specific IP addresses or IP ranges, effectively thwarting malicious login attempts and deterring brute force attacks.

2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

Immerse your website in an impenetrable shield of security with 2FA. This formidable feature demands that all admin users furnish a unique token, generated exclusively through the Google Authentication application, during the login process.

Disable Common Usernames

Don’t fall victim to predictable security breaches! The use of common usernames, such as ‘admin,’ poses a significant threat to the integrity of your website. Activate this option to disable the creation of common usernames. If any weak usernames already exist, we’ll prompt you to provide new, stronger alternatives.

Limit Login Attempts

Maintain control over unauthorized access attempts with Limit Login Attempts. Set a specific threshold for the number of login failures users can endure before consequences arise. After reaching the limit, the IP address associated with the unsuccessful login attempts will be blocked for one hour. Persistent failures will result in longer restrictions, starting with 24 hours and escalating to a week.

ACTIVITY MONITORING

Monitor your website and login page for unauthorized visitors and brute force attempts to prevent malicious actions

Activity Log

The Activity Log page provides you with a comprehensive view of the activities performed by registered, unknown, and blocked visitors. It allows you to closely monitor any suspicious behavior and take appropriate actions in case of a compromised user, plugin, or hacking attempt. You can leverage the quick tools available to swiftly block future attempts.

Weekly Security Reports

Receive a weekly traffic summary for your website directly to your inbox. This Weekly Security Report compiles data on both bot and human traffic, along with details about blocked login and visit attempts to proactively monitor traffic and promptly identify suspicious activity.

POST-HACK ACTIONS

Take immediate measures to protect your website if you suspect a compromise and prevent further damage. Here, you’ll find convenient solutions to address the situation effectively:

Reinstall All Free Plugins

In the event of a hack, utilizing the Reinstall All Free Plugins feature can help mitigate potential harm. This action reinstalls all of your free plugins, reducing the likelihood of additional exploits or the reuse of malicious code.

Log Out All Users

To prevent any further unauthorized activities by users or attackers, you can choose to log out all users instantly using the Log Out All Users feature.

Force Password Reset

By enforcing a password reset, you can ensure that all users are prompted to change their passwords during their next login. This not only strengthens the security of their accounts but also immediately logs out all currently logged-in users.

Requirements

• WordPress 4.7
• PHP 7.0
• Working .htaccess file

Data Collection

Collection of technical data is optional and is listed here. This data is collected only for technical analysis, improvements and the possibility to contact the plugin user in case urgent issues need to be fixed (for example a critical security release that needs to be communicated to site owners). The plugin user can manage their preferences within the WP admin to control the collection of technical data. We advise opting in for this data collection, as it can enhance the plugin’s performance. You may find more information on data collection in our Plugins Privacy Notice.

Automatic Installation

1. Go to Plugins -> Add New
2. Search for “Security Optimizer by SiteGround”
3. Click on the Install button under the Security Optimizer by SiteGround plugin
4. Once the plugin is installed, click on the Activate plugin link

Manual Installation

1. Login to the WordPress admin panel and go to Plugins -> Add New
2. Select the ‘Upload’ menu
3. Click the ‘Choose File’ button and point your browser to the sg-security.zip file you’ve downloaded
4. Click the ‘Install Now’ button
5. Go to Plugins -> Installed Plugins and click the ‘Activate’ link under the WordPress Security Optimizer by SiteGround listing

Version 1.5.1

Release Date: July 17th, 2024

• Improved Activity log bot detection
• Improved Activity log logout handling
• Improved 2FA with third-party custom logins
• Improved compatibility with third-party plugins
• Security improvements related to plugin notices

Version 1.5.0

Release Date: May 23rd, 2024

• Improved support for PHP 8.2 and 8.3.
• Improved plugin configuration.

Version 1.4.13

Release Date: Mar 27th, 2024

• Plugin optimization.

Version 1.4.12

Release Date: Feb 20th, 2024

• Bugfixes related to cookies and 2FA

Version 1.4.11

Release Date: Feb 14th, 2024

• Security improvements related to cookies
• Performance improvements

Version 1.4.10

Release Date: Jan 11th, 2024

• Static assets are now part of the plugin package and load locally.
• New users will be prompted to give their consent for the collection of technical data upon their initial use of the plugin.

Version 1.4.9

Release Date: Dec 12th, 2023

• Improved detection of bots in activity log
• Improved feature “Reinstall All Free Plugins” – deactivated plugins no longer get activated after the reinstall.

Version 1.4.8

Release Date: Nov 22nd, 2023

• Dashboard visuals improvements
• Readme file improvements
• Weekly Security Report improved translations

Version 1.4.7

Release Date: Oct 24th, 2023

• Data collection opt out option
• Readme file formatting improvements
• Plugin name formatting improvements
• Weekly Activity Report Sending Schedule Randomisation

Version 1.4.6

Release Date: Sept 26th, 2023

• Changing the name we use inside the plugin from SiteGround Security to Security Optimizer
• Updating data collection process and Introducing a link in the plugin interface to the Plugin Privacy notice

Version 1.4.5

Release Date: May 4th, 2023

• Improved log cleanup

Version 1.4.4

Release Date: May 3rd, 2023

• Improved Visitors DB table indexing
• Block service restored

Version 1.4.3

Release Date: Apr 27th, 2023

• Block service temporally disabled

Version 1.4.2

Release Date: Apr 27th, 2023

• Improved Activity Log process and filters
• Improved restricted login response code
• Improved PHP 8.2 compatibility
• Alternative constant added for non-standard cron job usage

Version 1.4.1

Release Date: Feb 23rd, 2023

• Internal configuration improvements

Version 1.4.0

Release Date: Feb 1st, 2023

• Internal configuration changes

Version 1.3.9

Release Date: Jan 25th, 2023

• Improved Foogra Theme support

Version 1.3.8

Release Date: Dec 6th, 2022

• Improved Rest response
• Improved Settings Page checks
• Improved Disable Themes & Plugins Editor

Version 1.3.7

Release Date: Nov 15th, 2022

• SG Security Dashboard bugfix
• Improved 2FA Encryption key validation
• Improved Custom Login/Register URL validation
• Improved LiteSpeed Cache support
• Option to use custom 2FA encryption key filepath

Version 1.3.6

Release Date: Nov 8th, 2022

• Improved 2FA security with encryption
• Improved Access Log filters
• New WP-CLI command: reset all users 2FA setup

Version 1.3.5

Release Date: Oct 18th, 2022

• Improved Custom Login URL
• Improved Activity log

Version 1.3.4

Release Date: Oct 10th, 2022

• Install service fix

Version 1.3.3

Release Date: Oct 10th, 2022

• New Manage Activity Log option
• New filter – Disable activity log
• Improved Custom login url
• Improved WP-CLI support
• Improved Jetpack plugin support
• Improved error handling
• Minor bug fixes
• Legacy code removed

Version 1.3.2

Release Date: Sept 21st, 2022

• 2FA Backup codes security strengthening

Version 1.3.1

Release Date: Sept 13th, 2022

• 2FA Authentication Security Strengthening
• IP Address detection Security Strengthening

Version 1.3.0

Release Date: July 14th, 2022

• Brand New Design
• Improved 2FA Authentication compatibility with Elementor custom login pages
• Improved data collection
• Minor fixes

Version 1.2.9

Release Date: June 20th, 2022

• NEW Filters for “Lock and Protect System Folders” excludes
• Improved IP Ranges support
• Improved Blocked IP addresses list
• Improved Delete the Default Readme.html
• Improved 2FA Authentication validation
• Improved 2FA Authentication support for “My Account” login
• Improved Data Collection
• Minor fixes

Version 1.2.8

Release Date: May 18th, 2022

• Improved plugin security

Version 1.2.7

Release Date: April 8th, 2022

• Minor bug fixes

Version 1.2.6

Release Date: April 7th, 2022

• 2FA Refactoring

Version 1.2.5

Release Date: April 6th, 2022

• 2FA Authentication refactoring
• Improved Weekly Emails
• HTST service deprecated

Version 1.2.4

Release Date: March 16th, 2022

• Improved Weekly Emails
• Improved Woocommerce Payments plugin support
• 2FA Authentication Security Strengthening

Version 1.2.3

Release Date: March 11th, 2022

• 2FA Authentication Security Strengthening

Version 1.2.2

Release Date: March 11th, 2022

• 2FA Authentication Security Strengthening

Version 1.2.1

Release Date: March 9th, 2022

• Improved Weekly reports
• Improved HTTP Headers service
• Code Refactoring

Version 1.2.0

Release Date: February 28th, 2022

• NEW – Weekly Reports
• Code Refactoring and General Improvements
• Improved 2FA user role support
• Improved error handling
• Improved Limit Login IP Range support
• Improved Event log
• Improved Phlox theme support
• Minor fixes
• Improved WP-CLI support
• Environment data collection consent added

Version 1.1.3

Release Date: October 1st, 2021
* Improved Hide WP version functionality

Version 1.1.2

Release Date: August 20th, 2021
* Improved Custom Login URL functionality
* Improved 2FA
* Improved success/error messages

Version 1.1.1

Release Date: August 12th, 2021
* Improved 2FA
* Improved logout functionality

Version 1.1.0

Release Date: July 27th, 2021
* NEW! Added 2FA backup codes to the profile edit page
* NEW! Custom login and registration URLs
* NEW! Added automatic HSTS headers generation
* Improved Disable common usernames functionality
* Improved Mass Logout Service
* Improved Activity Logging and added custom labeling
* Improved Password Reset functionality

Version 1.0.4

• Improved Limit Login Attempts

Version 1.0.3

• Fixed rating box bug on safari
• Improved RSS & ATOM Feed Disabler service

Version 1.0.2

• Added filter to configure log lifetime
• Added WP CLI support
• Improved strings

Version 1.0.1

• Added defaults on install
• Improved translation support
• Added cleanup on uninstall

Version 1.0.0

• First stable release.

Version 0.1

• Initial release.