SiteGround Security Plugin

With the carefully selected and easy to configure functions the SiteGround Security plugin provides everything you need to secure your website and prevent a number of threats such as brute-force attacks, compromised login, data leaks, and more.

Login Settings

Here you can use the tools we’ve developed to protect your login page from unauthorized visitors, bots, and other malicious behavior.

Custom Login URL

Change the default login url to prevent attacks and have an easily memorisable login URL. You can also change the default sign-up url if you have that option enabled for your website.

Important!
You can revert to the default login type by using the following snippet.

add_action( 'init', 'remove_custom_login_url' ); function remove_custom_login_url() { update_option( 'sg_security_login_type', 'default' ); } 

Login Access

Login Access allows you to limit the access of the login page to a specific IP’s or a range of IP’s to prevent malicious login attempts or brute-force attacks.

Important!
If you lock yourself out of your admin panel, you can add the following option to your theme’s function.php, reload the site and then remove it once you have gained access. Keep in mind that this will also remove all IP’s that are allowed to access the login page and a re-configuration will be needed:

add_action( 'init', 'remove_login_access_data' ); function remove_login_access_data() { update_option( 'sg_login_access', array() ); } 

Two-factor Authentication

Two-factor Authentication for Admin User will force all admins to provide a token, generated from the Google Authentication application when logging in.

Important!
You can force other roles to use the Two-Factor authentication as well. Once enabled, you can add your filter as the following.

add_filter( 'sg_security_2fa_roles', 'add_user_roles_to_2fa' ); function add_user_roles_to_2fa( $roles ) { $roles[] = 'your_role'; return $roles; } 

You can change the location of 2FA encryption key file using SGS_ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE_PATH constant defined in wp-config.php file. Make sure to use full path to the file. Example:

// Custom path to SG Security Encryption key file. define ( 'SGS_ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE_PATH', '/home/fullpathtofile/sgs_encrypt_key.php'); 

Disable Common Usernames

Using common usernames like ‘admin’ is a security threat that often results in unauthorised access. By enabling this option we will disable the creation of common usernames and if you already have one ore more users with a weak username, we’ll ask you to provide new one(s).

Limit Login Attempts

With Limit Login Attempts you can specify the number of times users can try to log in with incorrect credentials. If they reach a specific limit, the IP they are attempting to log from will be blocked for an hour. If they continue with unsuccessful attempts, they will be restricted for 24 hours and 7 days after that.

Important!
If you lock yourself out of your admin panel, you can add the following option to your theme’s function.php, reload the site and then remove it once you have gained access. Keep in mind that this will also remove the unsuccessful attempts block for all IP’s:

add_action( 'init', 'remove_unsuccessfull_attempts_block' ); function remove_unsuccessfull_attempts_block() { update_option( 'sg_security_unsuccessful_login', array() ); } 

Site Security

With this toolset you can harden your WordPress аpplication and keep it safe from malware, exploits and other malicious actions.

Lock and Protect System Folders

Lock and Protect System Folders allows you to block any malicious or unauthorized scripts to be executed in your applications system folders.
If the Lock and Protect System Folders option blocks a specific script used by another plugin on the website, you can easily whitelist the specific script by using the snippets provided below.

Use this one to whitelist a file in the wp_includes folder:

add_filter( 'sgs_whitelist_wp_includes' , 'whitelist_file_in_wp_includes' ); function whitelist_file_in_wp_includes( $whitelist ) { $whitelist[] = 'file_name.php'; $whitelist[] = 'another_file_name.php'; return $whitelist; } 

Use this one to whitelist a file in the wp_uploads folder:

add_filter( 'sgs_whitelist_wp_uploads' , 'whitelist_file_in_wp_uploads' ); function whitelist_file_in_wp_uploads( $whitelist ) { $whitelist[] = 'file_name.php'; $whitelist[] = 'another_file_name.php'; return $whitelist; } 

Use this one the whitelist a file in the wp_content folder:

add_filter( 'sgs_whitelist_wp_content' , 'whitelist_file_in_wp_content' ); function whitelist_file_in_wp_content( $whitelist ) { $whitelist[] = 'file_name.php'; $whitelist[] = 'another_file_name.php'; return $whitelist; } 

Hide WordPress Version

When using Hide WordPress Version you can avoid being marked for mass attacks due to version specific vulnerabilities.

Disable Themes & Plugins Editor

Disable Themes & Plugins Editor in the WordPress admin to prevent potential coding errors or unauthorized access through the WordPress editor.

Disable XML-RPC

You can Disable XML-RPC protocol which was recently used in a number of exploits. Keep in mind that when disabled, it will prevent WordPress from communicating with third-party systems. We recommend using this, unless you specifically need it.

Disable RSS and ATOM Feeds

Disable RSS and ATOM Feeds to prevent content scraping and specific attacks against your site. It’s recommended to use this at all times, unless you have readers using your site via RSS readers.

Advanced XSS Protection

By enabling Advanced XSS Protection you can add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks.

Delete the Default Readme.txt

When you Delete the Default Readme.txt which contains information about your website, you reduce the chances of it ending in a potentially vulnerable sites list, used by hackers.

Activity Log

Here you can monitor in detail the activity of registered, unknown and blocked visitors. If your site is being hacked, a user or a plugin was compromised, you can always use the quick tools to block their future actions.

Important!
You can set a custom log lifetime ( in days ), using the following filter we have provided for that purpose.

add_filter( 'sgs_set_activity_log_lifetime', 'set_custom_log_lifetime' ); function set_custom_log_lifetime() { return 'your-custom-log-lifetime-in-days'; } 

If you need to disable the activity log, you can use the following filter. Keep in mind that this will also disable the Weekly Activity Log Emails.

add_action( 'init', 'deactivate_activity_log' ); function deactivate_activity_log() { update_option( 'sg_security_disable_activity_log', 1 ); } 

Post-Hack Actions

Reinstall All Free Plugins

If your website was hacked, you can always try to reduce the harm by using Reinstall All Free Plugins. This will reinstall all of your free plugins, reducing the chance of another exploit or the re-use of malicious code.

Log Out All Users

You can Log Out All Users to prevent any further actions done by them or use.

Force Password Reset

Force Password Reset to force all users to change their password upon their next login. This will also log-out all current users instantly.

WP-CLI Support

In version 1.0.2 we’ve added full WP-CLI support for all plugin options and functionalities.

• wp sg limit-login-attempts 0|3|5 – limits the login attempts to 3, 5, or 0 in order to disable it
• wp sg login-access add IP – allows only specific IP(s) to access the backend of the website
• wp sg login-access list all – lists the whitelisted IP addresses
• wp sg login-access remove IP – removes IP from the whitelisted ones
• wp sg login-access remove all – removes all of the whitelisted IP addresses
• wp sg secure protect-system-folders enable|disable – enables or disables protects system folders option
• wp sg secure hide-wordpress-version enable|disable – enables or disables hide WordPress version option
• wp sg secure plugins-themes-editor enable|disable – enables or disables plugin and theme editor
• wp sg secure xml-rpc enable|disable – enables or disables XML-RPC
• wp sg secure rss-atom-feed enable|disable – enables or disables RSS and ATOM feeds
• wp sg secure xss-protection enable|disable – enables or disables XSS protection
• wp sg secure 2fa enable|disable – enables or disables two-factor authentication
• wp sg secure disable-admin-user enable|disable – enables or disables usage of “admin” as username
• wp sg log ip add|remove|list <name> --ip=<ip> – add/list/remove user defined pingbots listed in the activity log by ip
• wp sg log ua add|remove|list <name> – add/list/remove user defined bots listed in the activity log by user agent
• wp sg list log-unknown|log-registered|log-blocked --days=<days> – List specific access log for a specific period
• wp sg 2fa reset id|username|all ID|username – Resets the 2fa setup for the user ID, username or all users.
• wp sg custom-login status|disable – Shows the status or disables the Custom Login URL functionality.

Requirements

• WordPress 4.7
• PHP 7.0
• Working .htaccess file

Automatic Installation

1. Go to Plugins -> Add New
2. Search for “SiteGround Security”
3. Click on the Install button under the SiteGround Security 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 SiteGround Security listing

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.