Seeking the optimal security plugin for your WordPress site? Wordfence and iThemes emerge as popular choices, and deciding between them can be challenging. Fortunately, distinct differences between Wordfence Security and iThemes Security can assist you in making an informed decision.💡
While both incorporate features such as malware scanning, authentication, and brute force protection, Wordfence distinguishes itself by offering a unique firewall equipped with rules to identify site vulnerabilities. On the other hand, iThemes places a strong emphasis on password fortification, including suggestions, requirements, and support for passwordless logins, a feature absent in Wordfence.
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This article will commence with an overview of Wordfence Security and iThemes Security. Following that, we will evaluate and compare the plugins across several essential areas.
An introduction to Wordfence Security vs iThemes Security
Deciding between Wordfence Security and iThemes Security is a frequent challenge, given that they are among the most widely used security plugins available. Wordfence Security, an all-encompassing security plugin, boasts an active presence on over four million WordPress sites:
Gain entry to a comprehensive set of security features, including a malware scanner, firewall, robust login settings, and more.
While the free version meets the needs of most site owners, the premium plugin offers additional options. This includes benefits such as real-time firewall rules and updates to malware signatures.
Unlike Wordfence, which boasts over 900,000 installations, iThemes Security isn’t as widely recognized. It also lacks the same level of complexity, making it an excellent option for beginners due to its simplicity and requiring less configuration.
The iThemes plugin offers a swift onboarding process that provides explanations and recommends security options. Although some features may not be as robust as those in Wordfence, you’ll discover valuable options such as database backups and two-factor authentication.
Wordfence Security vs iThemes Security
With a better understanding of each of these popular plugins, let’s conclude the debate between Wordfence Security and iThemes Security.
Firewall
A crucial component of WordPress security, a firewall filters all incoming traffic to your site. Unlike iThemes Security, which lacks a built-in firewall, installing Wordfence Security provides access to a web application firewall (WAF) for enhanced protection.
Immediately, the Web Application Firewall (WAF) enters “Learning Mode” to gain a deeper understanding of your traffic patterns. Wordfence suggests keeping Learning Mode active for at least a week.
Following this period, you can control the firewall settings in a dedicated section of the Wordfence dashboard. Once you switch the Web Application Firewall Status to Enabled and Protecting, the plugin will proactively block suspicious requests:
As a result, Wordfence effectively guards against SQL injections, cross-site scripting attacks, remote code injections, and other security threats.
Additionally, you have access to advanced firewall settings, allowing you to specify allowlisted services and IP addresses that can bypass all rules:
Simultaneously, you have the capability to customize your own firewall rules through straightforward toggles.
It’s crucial to highlight that the free firewall loads only when you access WordPress, and firewall warnings may not be consistently prompt.
This could potentially pose problems, as hackers might exploit this window of opportunity before you receive notification of the threat. However, upgrading to the premium version of the plugin resolves this issue, providing real-time updates.
Malware scanning
In 2021, Sucuri discovered that nearly 62 percent of targeted websites were identified under the ‘malware’ category. Malware encompasses code designed to redirect visitors to malicious sites or pilfer login credentials.
Given that malware poses a prevalent WordPress security threat, it becomes a critical consideration when selecting a security plugin. Regrettably, the iThemes scanner falls short in thoroughness as one might anticipate:
The iThemes scanner operates at a rapid pace, primarily verifying if your website is listed on the Google Blacklist. Consequently, the information it provides is akin to what you could manually search for online.
Contrastingly, Wordfence Security offers a more robust security scanner, particularly proficient in detecting file-based malware. Upon installation, Wordfence initiates the first scan automatically.
However, with the free version, you are limited to scanning only 60 percent of your site:
For a comprehensive malware scan, upgrading to a premium plan is necessary. The Wordfence scan executes relatively quickly and adeptly identifies malware within the WordPress core files, as well as in files and folders associated with plugins and themes.
However, a drawback of the Wordfence malware scanner is the potential for a substantial volume of alerts.
Malware removal
Moving on, let’s assess the capabilities of Wordfence Security versus iThemes Security in terms of malware removal. While not a feature offered by all security plugins, it proves invaluable if malware is detected on your site.
Unfortunately, iThemes currently lacks any malware cleaning functionality.
On the contrary, Wordfence Security offers the option to repair malware-infected files. Additionally, users can opt for Wordfence’s premium malware removal service, which comes at a cost of $490 per year.
Within the plugin, you’ll encounter two choices for addressing flagged files: the ability to delete all deletable files or repair all repairable files:
Brute force protection
Brute force attacks involve hackers or bots attempting numerous combinations of passwords and usernames to gain unauthorized access to your site. These attacks are frequently used by hackers to inject malware into your site.
Upon installation of Wordfence, brute force protection is automatically activated. Nevertheless, you have the option to manually adjust these settings by navigating to Wordfence > Firewall → All Firewall Options.
Scrolling down to the Brute Force Protection section allows you to customize the settings:
In this section, you have the option to set lockouts for forgotten password attempts and login failures. Additionally, you can instantly block invalid usernames and specify the duration of a user lockout.
The iThemes plugin also includes default activation of brute force protection. Similar to Wordfence, the settings allow you to configure parameters such as the maximum number of failed logins, restrictions on banned IPs, and more:
Furthermore, you have the flexibility to tailor lockout messages, temporarily allow hosts, and specify how events should be logged.
The iThemes plugin goes the extra mile in fortifying the login process by providing an activity log. This log captures actions such as user activity, site scans, brute force attacks, and more. Notably, the log does not include details about plugins and themes.
While Wordfence lacks an activity log, you can access an option to enable debugging mode by navigating to Wordfence > Tools > Diagnostics:
Alternatively, you can visit Wordfence > Scan to check a log for Wordfence events, although it is not a comprehensive activity log and is primarily intended for use by Wordfence developers.
Fortunately, both security plugins offer two-factor authentication, which seamlessly activates upon installation. This feature provides various options, including mobile apps, email, or backup codes.
Database backups
Ensuring the security of your site is simplified by performing regular backups. This practice allows for the seamless restoration of a previous version of your site, database, and files in the event of a hack or other errors.
Regrettably, Wordfence currently lacks a backup feature within its security service.
However, iThemes Security does offer the option to enable database backups. Simply utilize the toggle in the Settings section:
By clicking on Edit Settings, you can set up automatic database backups at defined intervals. Additionally, you have the option to specify tables for inclusion or exclusion from backups.
Furthermore, you can choose your preferred backup method, such as saving backups locally or receiving them via email:
However, iThemes exclusively provides database backups. Consequently, it may not meet your needs if you seek comprehensive website backups that encompass configuration files and content folders, including themes, plugins, and media files.
Conclusion On Wordfence Security vs iThemes Security 🕵️♀️
After uncovering notable distinctions in our comparison, there is no definitive winner; instead, specific scenarios where you might lean towards Wordfence over iThemes, or vice versa:
- Consider iThemes for database backups and flawless two-factor authentication.
- Skip iThemes if you need a firewall, site backup, or malware cleaning service.
- Consider Wordfence if you’d like a solid firewall, malware scanner, malware repair, database backups, and brute force protection.
- Skip Wordfence if you require password strengthening tools or a full site backup.
