Your WordPress site is essentially your brand’s MVP, so you can’t risk leaving it vulnerable to security threats. (“Obviously, my BS detector doesn’t cover hackers.”)
Between malware, hacking attempts, and data breaches, you need to find a way to secure your online presence 24/7.
The good news is, there’s a WordPress plugin that’s powerful enough to stop the bad guys in their tracks so you can keep your site running smoothly.
Everyone remembers the first time they got hacked.
For me, it was a few years ago. I loaded one of my sites to see a pirate ship and bright neon text that said, “HACKed by Y piRateZ.”
I’m not alone. About 30,000 websites get hacked every day. It costs businesses billions of dollars.
I was lucky. I had a backup of my site and was able to restore it to a previous version. For some people, getting hacked means losing everything. Imagine if you had to start your entire website from scratch!
WP Security Ninja is a powerful WordPress security plugin that helps you identify any gaps or vulnerabilities on your website.
I use the plugin to keep an eye on any security issues, and it’s a powerful tool. It runs a security scan in less than a minute and highlights any gaps that hackers can exploit. The best part is, it tells us how to fix them.
I’ve always built websites on WordPress, but I’m still very concerned about security. After all, the huge user base and open-source technology make it vulnerable to attacks. It’s especially vulnerable if you’re using old themes, old plugins, and outdated software.
Don’t get me wrong, the WordPress team does a good job of keeping the backend tight, but it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra precautions.
For me, that extra precaution is Security Ninja. It’s been around for three years, and the team is constantly updating it to detect new security threats.
How Security Ninja Works
The free version of Security Ninja is as easy as downloading the plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
The plugin is lightweight, so it doesn’t put too much of a strain on my website’s loading speed. When I tested it, it didn’t have any impact at all, which is a big deal for me.
Once it was installed, I simply hit the ‘Run Test’ button, and it started working. The scan took about a minute, and Security Ninja checked for over 40 potential threats.
Some tests are straightforward (Have I updated all my plugins and software?) Others are much more complex (for example, the Apache and PHP tests). The system also runs a ‘brute-force’ test on my passwords to see if they are strong enough to withstand hacking.
Here is a more comprehensive list of the tests the plugin runs:
- Numerous installation parameter tests
- File permissions
- Version hiding
- 0-day exploit tests
- Debug and auto-update mode tests
- Database configuration tests
- WP options tests
My favorite feature of WP Security Ninja 2 is how it displays results. As you can see from the screenshot, it color-codes the results and lists each potential threat in red.
When I click on it, it shows me how to fix the problem. It tells me how to clean up some obscure code or which parts to remove entirely.
The plugin works with any WordPress theme and doesn’t get in the way of any other plugins. It’s worth noting that it doesn’t make any changes to the code either. While it does walk around and highlight weak code, it doesn’t make any changes or modifications unless you tell it to.
In other words, it won’t accidentally break your site!
What About Security Ninja Pro?
In addition to the free plugin, Security Ninja also offers some pro features for an additional fee.
Is it worth the extra cost? It depends on how much functionality you want. The pro versions include four additional security features:
1. Core Scanner
The Core Scanner examines all the code in your core WordPress files. In other words, it digs deep into your website’s architecture to look for signs of danger. It selects all files that have changed. (Some WordPress files are supposed to change, but many aren’t, and that could mean a hacker has tried to gain access.)
2. Malware Scanner
The Malware Scanner specifically looks for malicious code in core files. WP Security Ninja also warns me about code that can be used to clean up, even if it’s not infected yet. Great.
3. Scheduled Scanner
The scheduled scanner is handy because I can program it to run tests at regular intervals. In other words, I don’t have to remember to press the ‘Run Test’ button myself. Now, the plugin automatically checks my site once a day or sends me an email update.
4. Event Logger
The event logger tracks every event on my website. If any suspicious changes or events were not triggered by me or one of my authorized contributors, I will know that someone else is trying to access the site. Security Ninja emails me a full report or logs the data for as long as I tell it to.
WP Security Ninja scans your website for vulnerabilities, checking everything from password strength to security flaws in other plugins.
Since all issues are detailed and scored in a security report, you’ll know exactly which ones to prioritize next.
And best of all, most issues can be fixed with a one-click fix, so you won’t have to spend a dime on IT support.
Verdict
Security Ninja has helped me strengthen the security of my WordPress site and has alerted me to some vulnerabilities that I would never have found on my own. I would recommend it to all website owners, especially those who prefer not to deal with technical issues. It’s simple, easy, and fast.
Are there any drawbacks? Well, it’s worth noting that Security Ninja doesn’t guarantee protection from attackers. It’s not a bulletproof shield. It simply highlights the vulnerabilities on your website and prompts you to fix them. However, the folks at Security Ninja told me that they are working on a future version that will automatically fix any issues and keep your site safe with automatic updates and fixes.
Download the plugin and try the free version for yourself. If you use Security Ninja or have any questions about WordPress security, please let me know!
WP Security Ninja’s WordPress plugin thwarts cyber-attackers using advanced firewall protection, login protection, and over 50 security tests.
Keep your WordPress site secure.
Get lifetime access to WP Security Ninja today!
Plans & features
60-day money-back guarantee. Try it for 2 months to make sure it’s right for you!
Deal Terms: Lifetime access to WP Security Ninja. All future professional plan updates. If the plan name changes, the contract will be updated to reflect the new plan name. No codes, no stacking – just choose the plan that’s right for you. You must activate your license within 60 days of your purchase. Ability to upgrade between 4 license levels while the agreement is available. Downgrade between 4 license levels within 60 days of purchase. Available to new WP Security Ninja users and returning AppSumo buyers. AppSumo customers who have previously purchased WP Security Ninja can increase their feature limits by upgrading their license. Previous AppSumo customers will be included in any new features and feature limits.
