Some web development tools or platforms have been able to withstand the competition, and they have passed the test of time with flying colours, leaving their rivals far behind. One of these web development tools is WordPress- the popular CMS based on PHP. What started its journey long back as a blogging application is now the platform powering millions of websites, including some popular ones. Choosing WP for developing a business or personal website is a good move, but you have to focus on the security aspect too. Thankfully, WP offers a wide range of security plug-ins.

Why using WP security plug-ins is required?

You may think about why you would need to use a dedicated security plug-in for your WP website. Is WordPress an insecure platform for web development, then? The answer is no, and WP is quite secure as a platform. However, you should not take risks when developing a website on WP or any other platform these days. Hackers are getting smarter with time, and they are always on the lookout for security flaws or loopholes in websites. 

If your WP website is subjected to a security breach, the following things can happen:

• The website may be down, and it may be hard to recover data.
• Precious customer and business information may be stolen.
• Your company may face legal implications later.

To bolster the default security level of your WP website, using a suitable security plug-in is recommended. Seeking the services of a custom WordPress development company may be helpful in this regard.

The top 10 WP security plug-ins

Listed below are the top security plug-ins for WP. Most of these plug-ins are available both in free and paid editions.

1. Sucuri- If you hire WordPress developer from a top CMS development agency, chances are there he/she will recommend this security plug-in over others. This is one comprehensive security plug-in that safeguards your WP website from diverse types of threats online. It comes with Firewall protection and malware scanning. Upon detection, it eradicates malware from your system. On top of that, the plug-in monitors' activities on your WP website. It offers coverage from SQL Injections and XSS attacks. The Pro version comes with more advanced features.
2. iThemes Security Pro- If you want a robust and reliable security plug-in for your WP website, this is worth considering. iThemes Security Pro has embedded Two-factor authentication and robust password enforcement. It can be configured to take back up of the website at intervals. This offers an additional layer of safety. You can use it to limit the number of login attempts as well. The plug-in does not come for free, but the user feedback is very good.
3. BulletProof Security- Well, this is not the sleekest looking WP security plug-in, but it works quite well. BulletProof Security has a smooth setup wizard. The features like Login protection and database backups work in their favour. You also get usual Malware scanning, and a firewall is there to safeguard your website from numerous threats. The nice thing is it does not cost you anything.
4. All In One WP Security & Firewall- This is a simple but reliable security plug-in for WP. It looks for malicious codes and offers IP filtering. Like many other WP security plug-ins, it supports login attempt blocking after a number of failed attempts. The inclusion of a password strength tool helps you create robust passwords. There is a website-level firewall, but you do not get a DNS-level one. Using this, you are able to blacklist suspicious IP addresses manually. It is a free plug-in.
5. SecuPress- It is a solid WP security plug-in with a focus on malware and virus scanning and removal. SecuPress also scores owing to its easy-to-use interface. The free version packs in handy features like a firewall and anti-brute force login. Its paid edition packs in alerts and notifications, 2-step authentication, PDF reports, and IP Geolocation blocking. This plug-in looks for 35 security issues. 
6. Jetpack- Agencies offering WordPress integration development services often recommend this WP plugin for boosting overall website security. Jetpack comes with useful security features. It takes real-time backups and includes a quick restore feature. The plug-in comes laden with Decentralized malware scanning. It also packs in features like spam protection and email alert. You are safeguarded from brute force login attacks as well. The free version packs in enough features for most users. 
7. Wordfence- Another robust and popular security plug-in for WP, Wordfence comes with some amazing features. The basic version costs nothing and still comes loaded with handy features. It looks for real-time hacking attempts and alerts you without delay. The option to resist brute force attacks by limiting login attempts is a welcome feature. Besides, it alerts you about passwords breach, so you can set up new passwords before it is too late.
8. WPScan- This WP security plug-in has been in use since 2012, and users are very satisfied with the performance overall. Its database of vulnerabilities gets updated quite regularly, so you can be assured about new malware and threats. It sends you email alerts if any suspicious activities are detected on the website. There is an option for scan scheduling as well, and the plugin checks for weak passwords too. The paid version of the plug-in costs a small amount.
9. Security Ninja- Security Ninja is a seasoned contender in the WP security arena. The free version looks for 50 security issues and comes with a handy automatic hack-fix tool. If you are not much tech-savvy, use its auto fixer module. It also lets you schedule scans.
10. MalCare Security- This security plug-in is a little different, and it operates through the cloud. It also has a single-click removal tool. One major advantage of this WP security plug-in is it does not consume resources. The free plan packs in Login protection, bot detection, login protection, and malware scanning. The paid plans include real-time firewall updates, instant malware removal etc. 

Things to keep in mind

Of course, there are many other WP security plug-ins you can pick from nowadays. However, do not pick up any such plug-in in a hurry, whether it is free or paid. Take time to assess the plug-in and see if it is suitable for your needs.

• Before choosing any WP security plug-in, check out the online reviews and developer information. It makes sense to pick one plug-in that has high ratings, and the developer is active. 
• You will see many WP security plug-ins come in free and commercial versions. It is prudent that you try out the free version first. If the experience is satisfying, you can go for licensing it. There are plug-ins that are offered in multiple licensing packages.
• While using a security plug-in for your WP website is useful, refrain from installing many security plug-ins. 
• Some WP security plug-ins (Like Jetpack) pack in additional useful features, and when you use these, the need to use additional plug-ins is eliminated. You get security, backup and site statistics through a single plug-in.

Summing it up

Picking a WP security plug-in for your WordPress website should not be tedious when you know what you need. However, to ensure you get an apt plug-in matching your usage needs, seek the expertise of a WordPress development company India.