As a website administrator, maintaining a secure, malware-free site is crucial not only for your peace of mind but also for protecting your users’ personal information. WordPress malware scanner plugins offer a comprehensive solution to ensure your website remains safe from malicious attacks and security breaches.
In this guide, we will explore the top malware scan and removal plugins that stand out in terms of reliability, features, and user satisfaction.
Table of Contents
- Top 5 WordPress Malware Scanner Plugins
- Comparing the WordPress Malware Scanning Plugins
- Key Criteria for Selecting a WordPress Malware Scanning Plugin
Top 5 WordPress Malware Scanner Plugins
With so many WordPress malware scanner plugins available, choosing the right one can be tough. We’ve pinpointed the best options to help secure your site effectively.
1. Sucuri Security
- Cost: free version + $199.99/year for premium version
- Rating: 4.2
- Active installations: 800,000+
Sucuri Security plugin, developed by the globally recognized authority Sucuri Inc. and now owned by GoDaddy, is a comprehensive security suite designed to enhance your existing security measures. It provides a robust set of features aimed at protecting your WordPress website from various threats.
Key Features
- Security Activity Auditing: Monitors all security-related events within your WordPress site, helping you stay informed about potential threats.
- File Integrity Monitoring: Keeps track of changes to core files, alerting you to any unauthorized modifications.
- Remote Malware Scanning: Uses the fast and lightweight SiteCheck engine to detect malware, blocklisted status, website errors, and outdated software.
- Blocklist Monitoring: Continuously checks if your site is on any blocklists, ensuring your reputation remains intact.
- Effective Security Hardening: Implements rules and configurations to secure vulnerable areas of your website, such as the .htaccess file.
- Post-Hack Security Actions: Provides guidance and tools to clean and secure your site if it gets compromised.
- Security Notifications: Customizable email alerts keep you updated on any suspicious activity or security issues.
- Website Firewall (WAF) Integration: Premium users can connect to the Sucuri Firewall for advanced protection against a wide range of attacks.
Pricing
Sucuri offers a free version that provides decent protection, suitable for most average users. For those needing enhanced features, the premium version is available for $199.99 per year. The premium subscription includes additional tools and expert support, elevating your site’s security to a new level.
2. MalCare
- Cost: free version + $149/year for premium version
- Rating: 4.1
- Active installations: 400,000+
MalCare is a cutting-edge WordPress security plugin designed to provide comprehensive protection for your website. Developed after analyzing over 240,000 websites, MalCare ensures fast malware detection and removal, giving website owners peace of mind and allowing them to focus on growing their business.
Key Features
- Cloud-Based Malware Scanner: Uses intelligent scanning that doesn’t slow down your site and accurately detects even the most complex malware.
- One-Click Malware Removal: Instantly cleans your site of malware in less than 60 seconds, with unlimited automated cleanups available.
- Powerful Firewall: The cloud-based firewall offers round-the-clock protection against spam attacks and malicious traffic.
- Country Blocking: Mitigate hack attacks by blocking traffic from specific countries.
- Website Management Module: Manage your site’s security and performance from a single dashboard, including uptime monitoring and performance checks.
- White-Label Solution: Agencies can offer enhanced security services to clients with branded reports and risk-free management.
Pricing
MalCare offers a free version with essential features suitable for basic protection. The premium version, priced at $99 per year, includes additional features such as full site backups, uptime monitoring, hardening features, unlimited cleanups by security experts, and an automated one-click malware removal tool.
3. Wordfence
- Cost: free version + $119/year for premium version
- Rating: 4.7
- Active installations: 5+ million
Wordfence is the most popular WordPress security plugin, recognized for its comprehensive suite of features and robust protection capabilities. Powered by a dedicated team of security analysts, Wordfence provides real-time defense against the latest threats, ensuring your website remains secure.
Key Features:
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Identifies and blocks malicious traffic, offering endpoint protection that integrates deeply with WordPress.
- Malware Scanner: Scans core files, themes, and plugins for malware, bad URLs, backdoors, SEO spam, malicious redirects, and code injections.
- Login Security: Provides two-factor authentication (2FA) via any TOTP-based authenticator app, CAPTCHA for the login page, and blocks logins for administrators using compromised passwords.
- Wordfence Central: Manage security for multiple sites from one place with detailed security findings, customizable alerts, and powerful templates.
- Live Traffic Monitoring: Real-time tracking of visits and hack attempts, including detailed information about each visitor.
- Advanced Blocking: Block attackers by IP, IP range, hostname, user agent, and referrer.
- Country Blocking: Available with the premium version to block traffic from specific countries.
Pricing
Wordfence provides a free version that offers solid protection for basic security needs. For advanced features, the premium version is available at $119 per year. This includes enhanced protection, real-time threat defense feed, country blocking, advanced manual blocking, and more, making it an excellent investment for heightened security.
4. Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall
- Cost: free
- Rating: 4.9
- Active installations: 200,000+
Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall is a robust and user-friendly plugin that offers essential protection against a wide range of security threats. It is particularly suitable for beginners and small website owners who need effective security measures with minimal complexity.
Key Features
- Complete Scan: Automatically removes known security threats, backdoor scripts, and database injections.
- Firewall Protection: Blocks malware exploits like SoakSoak and vulnerabilities in plugins such as Revolution Slider.
- Vulnerable Script Upgrades: Patches and upgrades vulnerable versions of scripts, such as timthumb.
- Brute-Force and DDoS Protection: Patches wp-login and XMLRPC to block brute-force and DDoS attacks.
- Core File Integrity Checks: Verifies the integrity of WordPress core files to ensure they haven’t been compromised.
- Automatic Definition Updates: Downloads new definition updates automatically when running a complete scan.
Pricing
While the core features of this plugin are available for free, users can unlock additional protection features with a one-time donation starting at $29. This provides lifetime access to enhanced security tools, making it a cost-effective solution for comprehensive malware protection.
5. BulletProof Security
- Cost: free version + $69.95 one time
- Rating: 4.8
- Active installations: 30,000+
BulletProof Security is a proactive and comprehensive security plugin designed to protect your WordPress site from various threats. It offers a wide range of features, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
Key Features
- One-Click Setup Wizard: Simplifies the installation process, making it easy to set up comprehensive security for your site.
- AutoRestore|Quarantine (ARQ IDPS): Monitors and restores files altered or tampered with by hackers, providing a powerful intrusion detection and prevention system.
- MScan Malware Scanner: Scans website files and the database for hacker files and malicious code.
- .htaccess Website Security Protection: Provides firewall protection through .htaccess file rules.
- Login Security & Monitoring: Protects against brute force attacks, monitors login attempts, and offers features like idle session logout and strong password enforcement.
- DB Backup: Offers full and partial database backups, with options for manual and scheduled backups, including email zip backups.
- JTC Anti-Spam|Anti-Hacker: Prevents spam and brute force login attacks using a CAPTCHA-based system.
Pricing
BulletProof Security is available for free, with many essential features included. For advanced protection, the premium version is available for a one-time fee of $69.95. Premium features include auto-restore and quarantine, plugin firewall protection with autopilot mode, email alerting, log file options, and more.
Comparing the WordPress Malware Scanner Plugins
So, what is the best WordPress malware removal tool? Have a look at some of the most relevant information about the malware scanner plugins we identified as being top choices and see which one seems to meet your individual criteria.
| Plugin | Free Version | Premium Version Starting Price | Rating | Active Installations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sucuri Security |  | $199.99/year | 4.2 | 800,000+ |
| MalCare | | $149/year | 4.1 | 400,000+ |
| Wordfence | | $119/year | 4.7 | 5+ million |
| Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall | | N/A | 4.9 | 200,000+ |
| BulletProof Security | | $69.95 one time | 4.8 | 30,000+ |
Key Criteria for Selecting a WordPress Malware Scanning Plugin
Choosing the right malware scanning plugin for your WordPress site is crucial for maintaining optimal security. Here are the key criteria to consider when making your selection:
- Budget-Friendly: Determine how much you can invest in your website’s security. While high-quality protection is essential, it’s important to find a solution that fits within your budget. Many plugins offer free versions with basic features, while premium versions provide enhanced security.
- Robust Protection: Look for plugins that offer comprehensive security features beyond just malware scanning. This can include protection against brute force attacks, malicious redirects, and tampering with core files. A well-rounded security plugin will provide multiple layers of defense.
- User-Friendly Interface: Your level of expertise in website management should influence your choice. Beginners should opt for plugins with intuitive dashboards and easy-to-configure settings. Advanced users might prioritize feature-rich plugins, even if they require more technical knowledge.
- Comprehensive Threat Database: A plugin’s effectiveness is often tied to the size and currency of its malware database. A larger, regularly updated database means better detection and protection against the latest threats. Wordfence, for example, boasts one of the most extensive threat databases.
- Quick Cleanup: The speed at which a plugin can detect and remove malware is critical. Fast response times minimize the damage caused by malware. Look for plugins with automated cleanup tools or access to security experts for swift resolution.
- Reliable Support: Even the best plugins can encounter issues. Ensure the plugin you choose offers robust customer support with quick response times. Reliable support can make a significant difference in managing security threats effectively.
Bottom Line
Choosing the right WordPress malware scanner plugin is a crucial step in securing your website. The right plugin provides comprehensive protection, ensuring your site remains malware-free and your visitors’ data stays safe.
For more in-depth security insights and to further enhance your website’s protection, check out these articles from our blog:
- How to Secure Your WordPress Site From Hackers
- Is WordPress Secure Enough? Unveiling the Truth
- 7 Essential WordPress Security Plugins Reviewed
- How to Secure Your WordPress Login Page: Best Practices
By combining the right malware scanner with additional security practices and plugins, you can significantly improve your website’s security and provide a safe browsing experience for your users.
