While consoles and arcade machines were once the main devices used for gaming, the rise of the modern internet has opened up the world of online gaming and now playing via smartphone apps or internet browsers is highly popular. In fact, nearly 82 percent of internet users play online games.

Mobile gaming in particular is on the rise, the modern high-powered smartphone with excellent graphics, high speed internet and lots of capability is able to run complex games. There are now 1.93 billion mobile gamers around the world, playing a variety of games either at home or while on-the-go.

Cybersecurity is a concern for gamers in the digital era

While there is now a huge range of choice of games online, something to suit all interests, there are some requirements that come with online gaming that have potential risks. For example, players are often required to share their personal information and sign up for an account to access gaming sites, and even share financial details to make payments.

When participating in such activities, gamers need to consider cybersecurity threats and game providers have a responsibility to protect themselves and their users from cyber criminals and nefarious activities.

A common cyber risk that online gaming platforms must try to mitigate includes account hacking or takeovers. This is where a malicious actor will find a way of accessing and using a legitimate player’s account. 

Other cyber risks include phishing emails, social engineering, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. A DDoS attack is designed to overload the gaming sites servers and either slow the speed of the game or make it crash for users entirely. 

Poker and casino sites have cybersecurity measures in place

One type of gaming where cybersecurity is an important consideration is casino and poker. These types of websites offer players the opportunity to play and bet on casino games for the chance of winning cash and prizes. 

To play on a poker Canada site, the user is required to register for their own account and provide identification to prove who they are and their age to make them eligible to place bets. This means sharing sensitive data and therefore robust cybersecurity is essential in keeping the player’s data protected.

Another example is making payments, players on poker sites will make deposits to their account and withdraw any winnings. This can involve sharing financial details such as credit or debit card information or interactions with third party payment providers. 

Cybersecurity methods

So, what are some of the measures gaming sites like poker sites take to ensure they are protected and what cybersecurity protocols do they use to protect their own data as well as players’?

Multi factor authentication 

Multi factor authentication (also known as MFA) is one popular tool now used by most sites to ensure accounts are only accessed by those they truly belong to. Identity theft is an issue as a malicious actor could use the account for fraudulent activity and withdraw winnings that are not theirs to take. 

MFA isn’t exclusive to the gaming industry, it is used by retail sites, banks and education providers to name just a few examples. A user might log in with their usual username and password and then be provided with a verification code sent to their email or phone to confirm their identity. 

SSL certificate

As shown by a valid SSL certificate, any gaming site that claims to take cybersecurity seriously should encrypt the users data. This means that even in the event of a cyber attack, the threat actor will be unable to decipher the data that they find.

This data could include the user’s banking details, their personal name, address and contact information. You can see if a site has an SSL certificate by clicking the padlock icon in the browser address bar on Chrome.

Payment methods 

Third party payment methods are often utilised by gaming sites to give users a safe and familiar way of making transactions. Third parties like PayPal have their own robust cybersecurity measures in place and by using them, the gaming site doesn’t need to handle the sensitive financial data themselves. 

The importance of players choosing a site with strong cybersecurity

Why should you care about cybersecurity as a gamer? Having a safe time online should be a priority when gaming, as a security breach can be an unsettling experience with privacy and financial consequences. Gamers should take the time to check out a site’s cybersecurity protocols before they sign up to play games. 

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The Basics: Defining Proxies

At its foundational level, a proxy is a gateway—a mediator between a user and the wider internet. It acts as an intermediary server that processes requests on behalf of a client. When a user wants to access a certain webpage, instead of connecting directly, the request is routed through the proxy server.

Upon receiving the request, the proxy then fetches the data and relays it back to the user. In this complex web of digital connections, various proxy types exist, with mobile proxy being a standout due to their ability to offer IPs linked to specific, real-world locations. These proxies, and their mobile counterparts, have transformed how businesses approach data retrieval, ensuring more genuine, undetected interactions on the web, especially when emulating user behaviors or scraping data.

Diving into Mobile Proxies

Mobile proxies, as the name implies, are proxies that utilize IP addresses from mobile network operators, such as Verizon, AT&T, or Vodafone. These IPs are assigned to actual mobile devices, making them inherently different and more dynamic than their static or residential counterparts.

Traditional proxies, especially data center ones, are stationed in fixed locations and can be easily detected and blocked by sophisticated web platforms. In contrast, mobile proxies rotate IPs as they’re based on real mobile devices that frequently switch between different IP addresses. This dynamic nature makes them harder to flag or blacklist.

The unique infrastructure of mobile proxies relies heavily on mobile network operators. When you use a mobile proxy, your connection routes through the mobile network’s infrastructure, essentially mimicking the behavior of a typical mobile user. This provides an additional layer of legitimacy and reduces the risk of detection. Furthermore, because these IPs are tied to actual mobile devices, they are distributed across vast geographic areas and are less likely to be clustered in one location, unlike data center IPs. This distribution, combined with the vast number of mobile internet users globally, ensures that mobile proxies offer unparalleled anonymity and efficiency in the digital world.

Advantages of Using Mobile Proxies

The growing popularity of mobile proxies in the business realm is no accident; their inherent features provide several unparalleled advantages:

1. High Level of Anonymity and Low Detectability: Given that mobile proxies employ IP addresses linked to genuine mobile devices, their authenticity is almost indisputable. This authentic origin makes them less prone to detection and blocking compared to traditional data center or even some residential proxies.
2. Dynamic IP Rotation: Mobile carriers routinely rotate IP addresses assigned to devices. This constant change ensures that the chances of being flagged or blacklisted are drastically reduced. Every request can potentially come from a different IP, which appears organic and less robotic.
3. Real-world User Emulation and Testing: For businesses aiming to emulate real-world user behaviors for testing or market research, mobile proxies are invaluable. They provide a lens into the genuine mobile user experience, from load times to geo-specific content accessibility.
4. Bypassing Stringent Scraping Restrictions: Many web platforms have advanced anti-scraping measures in place. Mobile proxies, due to their genuine and dynamic nature, can navigate these restrictions more effectively. They’re especially crucial for businesses involved in data scraping, ensuring consistent and undetected data extraction.

In essence, mobile proxies are not just a tool but a strategic asset, enhancing a range of online operations and ensuring data’s smooth and stealthy flow.

Applications in Business and Parsing

In the intricate digital ecosystem, mobile proxies have carved a niche for themselves, especially within the business arena:

• Market Research: Companies aiming to understand market dynamics and customer behaviors rely on mobile proxies. They offer a genuine user perspective, allowing businesses to gather accurate data from different regions without geographical biases.
• Ad Verification: To ensure ads appear correctly in diverse locations and aren’t subjected to fraud, mobile proxies are pivotal. They provide real-time insights into how advertisements are displayed across different mobile networks.
• Competitive Analysis: Understanding competitors is key. Mobile proxies enable businesses to discreetly analyze competitor websites, pricing strategies, and digital campaigns without revealing their identity.
• Enhanced Parsing Success: For businesses in the parsing realm, mobile proxies offer higher success rates. Their dynamic and genuine nature ensures that data extraction processes face fewer roadblocks and rejections.

Considerations When Choosing a Mobile Proxy Service

While mobile proxies present numerous advantages, choosing the right service is crucial:

• Reliability and Uptime: A consistent connection is vital. Businesses should opt for services boasting high uptime percentages, ensuring that their operations aren’t interrupted.
• Geographic Coverage and Operator Diversity: A diverse range of IPs across various mobile operators and regions allows for a wider reach and more accurate data retrieval.
• Cost Implications: Premium mobile proxy services often come at a higher price point. However, it’s essential to weigh these costs against the benefits – reliability, speed, and undetectability. Cheaper alternatives might compromise on these features.

Conclusion

In the constantly evolving digital realm, understanding and harnessing the power of mobile proxies has never been more crucial. As mobile internet use continues to surge, these proxies emerge as both a shield and a sword for businesses—protecting identity while ensuring data access. Their unparalleled anonymity, genuine user emulation, and adeptness in bypassing online restrictions make them indispensable, particularly for parsing endeavors. As we advance further into this mobile-centric era, businesses must recognize the immense value mobile proxies bring to the table. By integrating them into their digital strategies, they’re not only staying ahead of the curve but also ensuring a more seamless, efficient, and genuine online experience.

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Whether you’re doing a bit of casual browsing, shopping through ecommerce websites, writing a social media post, or simply watching a YouTube video, you are leaving a digital footprint that is then followed by companies looking to monetise what you leave behind.

They do this by collecting your data and then selling it to the highest bidder, which is not only an issue ethically, but also puts you in danger of data misuse, offensive targeted ads, and even cyberattacks.

With this in mind, it’s important to be aware of how insecure your online presence really is.

Cyber Hygiene And Awareness

In this instance, knowledge is the best form of self-defence. Although there has been a lot of emphasis put on governments to formulate effective legislation, the problem of data brokers is not going away any time soon.

Right now, the data broker market is valued at around $350 million, and it’s growing at a CAGR of 7.96% to potentially reach $550 billion by 2028. But despite all of this, a lot of people are still not aware of how seemingly innocuous sites and third-parties are profiting from them.

If you want to know how to delete yourself from Google, how to stop spam, or how to remove your digital footprint, then there are tools available to do so and reduce the amount of value that brokers can extract from you.

Firewalls And Antivirus

With this knowledge, you can start putting in the steps to reclaim your personal data, but the fight for your internet safety is not over. We mentioned before that data brokers can put you in danger of cyberattacks, and with around 800,000 individuals being targeted by hackers every year, this is a key problem that also needs addressing if you want to secure your online presence.

The answer is relatively simple, too. Firewalls and antivirus software have long been some of the best tools to fight cyberattackers, but according to a recent survey, the usage of these tools is on the decline – from 78% in 2021 to 66% in 2023. Having this protection, however, can shield your computer and your network from hackers looking to breach it.

A VPN

VPNs can also be effective against both hackers and data brokers. Although they cannot hide your data completely, they do offer more protection from malicious third parties who are after your data by hiding your IP address, and securing your online browsing experience by encrypting it.

This is part of the reason why they have become so popular over the last few years. Earlier this year, it was reported that 1.5 billion people use VPNs, with a current market size of $44.6 billion that is expected to double by 2027.

2-Factor Authentication

These are the three best ways to defend your data and your overall internet safety, and each one of them should be put into practice if you care about your data being taken and your safe browsing being put at risk.

That being said, the emphasis isn’t just on you. Over the last few years, more sites and apps have been required to implement multi-factor authentication, essentially asking users to open two locked doors before they can access something. This is usually done with a password, and then a text sent to the smartphone – or biometrics using retinas, facial features, or fingerprints.

With businesses having to do more to protect you and your data, it’s important to jump on board and opt-in whenever you’re given the choice. With new technologies changing the world of computing, the cybersecurity threat is only going to get worse over the coming years, which means you should remain aware of new legislation and welcome efforts being made to keep you safe – while also doing everything you can to protect yourself from the off.

The post Securing Your Online Presence: Tips for a Stronger Digital Defense appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

First, incidents have grown significantly in frequency, striking every 39 seconds. Second, these digital tricksters don’t just stick to one playbook – they’ve got quite the repertoire: from crafty phishing schemes that could deceive even the most vigilant of internet surfers, to unleashing some truly top-tier, mind-bogglingly complex malware. What’s more, no one is truly immune; small businesses, corporations, and individuals alike are susceptible.

Hackers exploit weak passwords, unpatched software, social engineering, phishing attacks, and unsecured public Wi-Fi networks as common entry points.

Your vigilance regarding these vulnerabilities takes center stage when it comes to bolstering your online presence. Consequently, in the following segments, we will explore tangible steps that you can implement to elevate your online security and effectively ward off hackers.

Why Ignoring the Threat of Hacking is a Costly Mistake

Disregarding the upsurge in hacking attempts is a luxury none of us can afford. When unauthorized individuals gain entry to your digital accounts or systems, the repercussions can be catastrophic.

One substantial risk is financial loss; hackers may deplete your bank accounts, execute unauthorized transactions, or steal your identity. Your sensitive data also faces potential exposure. Such breaches trigger profound intrusion and distress, impacting emotional well-being.

Beyond personal tolls, professional and financial repercussions abound. Data breaches aren’t distant concerns; they hit close to home. They jeopardize your reputation, career, and relationships, even spawning legal battles and fines.

Moreover, The financial fallout from a data breach is no joke. The average cost of such incidents continues to mount with each passing year.

Enhancing Your Online Security: Practical Measures

In the current digital landscape, bolstering your online security is imperative. Below are essential steps to fortify your online security:

• Consistent Software and Device Updates. Ensure that your devices and applications receive routine updates in order to proactively mitigate potential security vulnerabilities. Whenever feasible, activate automatic updates to keep yourself shielded from emerging threats.
• Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Whenever available, activate 2FA on your accounts. This extra layer of security necessitates two distinct forms of verification, typically a password and a unique code sent to your mobile device.
• Enhancing Phishing Awareness. Proactively educate yourself and your team about phishing risks. Exercise caution with suspicious emails, validate sensitive information requests, and explore email filters to detect phishing attempts.
• Crafting Robust and Unique Passwords. Choose intricate passwords for your accounts. Incorporate a blend of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid the pitfall of using the same password for multiple accounts to mitigate the risk of a single breach compromising all your accounts.

Optimizing Your Online Security: The Crucial Role of Password Managers in Effective Password Management

The challenge of maintaining secure access to a multitude of online accounts can be quite daunting. It often causes “password fatigue.” Faced with this dilemma, you might resort to easily guessable or repetitive passwords, leaving you vulnerable to potential security breaches.

Enter the indispensable solution: password managers. These sophisticated tools emerge as a pragmatic solution to tackle the challenge of password management because of these features:

• Password Generation. Password managers excel at generating highly intricate and virtually uncrackable passwords for each of your accounts. They eliminate the need for you to devise complex passwords manually. And since these passwords get saved within the vault anyway, there’s no need to remember them.
• Secure Storage. These tools securely store all your passwords within an encrypted vault. To unlock this vault, you only need to remember one password – your master password. This singular credential eases the burden of memorizing multiple access codes while enhancing overall security.
• Auto-Fill and Auto-Login. Password managers streamline the login process by automatically populating login fields on websites. It saves you time and effort and provides a robust layer of protection against phishing attacks.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility. The majority of password management solutions exhibit a remarkable degree of foresight in their design. They have been carefully crafted to harmoniously operate across an array of electronic devices and software platforms, encompassing ubiquitous smartphones, trusty tablets, and steadfast desktop computers. It’s similar to the way secure cloud storage works. This careful method serves a crucial purpose: ensuring that your collection of passwords is always easily accessible and ready to assist you no matter where or when you need them.

Conclusion

The bedrock of securing your digital realm from the ever-present specter of data breaches rests in the proactive actions you take. It falls upon your shoulders to grasp the inner workings of how security breaches come to be. With this comprehension firmly in your grasp and bolstered by an unwavering commitment to crafting strong and distinct passwords, aided by the support of password management tools, you hold a powerful shield against the omnipresent danger of cyber threats.

When it comes to protecting your online realm, the secret lies in a steadfast commitment to staying alert and meticulously prepared. These forward-thinking actions, when carefully put into practice, give you the power to steer the course of your digital world, firmly placing it under your control.

The post A Lot of Hacking Attempts Lately? Tips You Can No Longer Ignore appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

From vulnerable plugins to weak passwords, let’s review how to ensure your WordPress site is cyber-secure.

Pick a secure host

One of the largest security factors for the safety of your WordPress site is the hosting provider. You shouldn’t go with the first option that pops up. Instead, spend a few hours researching.

You’ll run into ads promoting cheap hosts. But paying a low price leads to paying twice. Many people got their websites deleted by their hosts or breached because the host ignored cybersecurity.

Look for a top-notch company that performs daily malware scans. Good hosts also have 24/7 support, so any time you run into an issue, you can ask for help.

Use strong passwords

Here’s a surprising fact. People still use “123456’ and ‘password’ as their main passwords. What’s even worse, those two combinations are the most popular passwords in 2023.

Any kid or grandma can breach your WordPress site if you use such a weak password. So, you should change your passwords every six months and make sure they have 12+ characters, including special symbols, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters.

Even if your password is more complicated than ‘qwerty,’ it’s not secure unless it follows the rules above. Hackers perform brute force attacks. They have special software that can guess tens of thousands of letter combinations in seconds. If you have a long and hard password, the time it takes for them to breach it increases exponentially.

Update PHP

PHP is a crucial component of your site. Whenever a new update rolls around, install it immediately.

Many breaches happen because users don’t update their sites.

Old versions of this code make your site run slowly and negatively influence performance. So you risk SEO rankings, cybersecurity issues, and user satisfaction if you don’t make the update.

Use secure plugins

Plugins are essential if you want your website to look quirky and wow visitors. But that comes at a high price. More than half of all WordPress breaches happen because users install unsecure plugins.

So pick your plugins wisely. Check the popular and featured ones, and read the reviews. After installing, make sure they’re updated to the latest version. Lots of plugins suffer from exploits and bugs, and not updating them could lead to a breach. Don’t give hackers the gateway they want.

Use 2FA

Two-factor authentication is an extra step when logging in that sends you an SMS message or shows a disappearing code.

If a hacker guesses your username and password, they’d need your phone to log in. It’s a great way to strengthen your account, and it helps with file sharing. If you have the option to pick, always choose to receive codes through an authenticator app instead of SMS.

Add an SSL certification

Secure socket layer encryption is a must for every modern website. If you deal with payments and e-commerce, you must have this certificate.

If you don’t, hackers can perform a MITM attack to listen to the communication between visitors and your site. So when a user inserts their credit card data, hackers can save and abuse it.

The SSL certificate encrypts communication on the website. That way, even if a hacker intercepts the credit card data, they’ll see random characters that make no sense without a decryption key.

Limit login attempts

There’s one loophole that cyber attackers love to exploit on WordPress sites. And that’s login attempts. By default, you can try to log in as many times as you want in the admin panel. This is a great feature for people who easily forget their password. But hackers can abuse it to perform brute-force attacks without any penalty.

Limiting the number of times you can log in will stop hackers from trying to breach your admin passwords.

The post How to Ensure Your WordPress Site’s Cybersecurity appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

Read on to learn how to monitor kids’ text messages without raising their suspicion.

Can You See Your Children’s Text Messages?

There are numerous methods you can use to read your kids’ text messages without a tracking app. Unfortunately, most of these techniques are unreliable and indiscreet, making them unsuitable for everyday use.

The best answer to how to monitor my children’s messages or lock my child’s phone remotely is by using a revered parental control app that provides the following features:

• Content filtering. The app should easily filter adult content, violent videos, gambling sites and other inappropriate content that’s available online.
• App monitoring. Ensure you choose a parental control app that monitors your kid’s text messages, emails, social media accounts, GPS location and more.
• Screen time management. Your preferred app should also allow parents to set app limits and manage kids’ screen times. This feature encourages teenagers to utilize their time productively.

The Best Methods for Message Monitoring

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could monitor kids’ text messages for free? Tracking down their chat conversations doesn’t have to be a laborious undertaking. Let’s discuss three effective methods you can use to monitor your children’s text messages:

1.   Try the Eyezy App

Eyezy is a dedicated tracking app that allows users to secretly read their kids’ text messages. The app’s text message monitoring feature reveals your target user’s sent and received messages, helping you to discover who your children chat with and what they discuss.

Eyezy conveniently divulges recipient details ─ including their names and contact information ─ to help parents dig a little deeper and unearth whether their kids are talking to strangers online.

Apart from tracking text messages sent via iMessages, Eyezy also monitors messages sent on social media apps such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp, Snapchat and more. If they share inappropriate photos or video clips, you’ll view those as well.

Eyezy also comes with a call monitoring feature that provides detailed call logs of your target’s incoming, outgoing and missed calls. This feature offers you a bird’s-eye view of everyone they called, including the call durations and timestamps. This way, you’ll always be in the know.

2.   iCloud-Synced Text Messages

You might be wondering, “How can I see my kids’ text messages for free using an iOS device?” Well, iCloud can help. To use this method, follow this easy procedure:

• Visit iCloud.com and sign in using your loved one’s Apple ID.
• If they’ve linked multiple devices to the ID, select the device they frequently use to text.
• Follow the easy command prompt that pops up to view your kid’s text messages.

Unfortunately, you’d need to know your child’s accurate Apple ID for this technique to work. It’s also very easy for them to discover that you’re spying on them.

3.   Try Google Family Link

Another alternative involves installing an Android parental control app known as Google Family Link. This app can help guardians to view their children’s SMS messages, social media conversations and even block certain features on the target device.

Ensure you follow these steps to start using Google Family Link:

• Install the parent version of Google Family Link on your Android device
• Download the kid’s version of this app on your child’s device
• Follow the prompt and generate a code on your phone
• Enter this code and password on the device to be monitored
• Customize your settings as needed and complete the setup process
• Monitor your kids’ text messages for free

This method only works on Android and it provides a limited range of features. In addition, you’re required to gain physical access to your child’s device for initial setup, making it quite a risky process.

Final Thoughts

Using a dedicated tracking app to read your kids’ text messages can help you keep them safe from a plethora of online threats. After all, your primary goal should be to safeguard your family. From our experience, Eyezy works wonders when it comes to monitoring other people’s text messages discreetly.

The post How Can I See My Kids’ Text Messages? appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

In the vast world of virtual private networks (VPNs), Avira Phantom VPN has gained recognition as a secure and private internet browsing solution. However, if you’re searching for alternatives to Avira Phantom VPN, this article aims to delve deeper into various reliable options available in the market. Whether you seek heightened security measures, lightning-fast speeds, extensive server coverage, or specific features tailored to your needs, we will explore a selection of VPN alternatives that offer unique strengths and capabilities.

Why do You Need VPN? 

VPN (Virtual Private Network) has become an essential tool for online security and privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure and private tunnel between your device and the websites or services you access. This encryption shields your sensitive data from potential hackers, cybercriminals, or other prying eyes. Additionally, a VPN allows you to browse the internet anonymously by masking your IP address and location, providing an extra layer of privacy. Whether you’re using public Wi-Fi, accessing geo-restricted content, or simply safeguarding your personal information, a VPN ensures that your online activities remain protected and your privacy remains intact.

1. NordVPN

When it comes to VPN services, NordVPN is often hailed as the leading contender among all users. Boasting an impressive suite of features, NordVPN provides a vast network of servers spanning multiple countries. Its commitment to user privacy is demonstrated through robust encryption protocols and a strict no-logs policy. NordVPN offers exceptional speeds for seamless streaming and browsing experiences, along with features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN for added security. With user-friendly apps and reliable customer support, NordVPN presents a comprehensive alternative to Avira Phantom VPN.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has garnered a reputation for its unparalleled speed and reliability. If a lightning-fast connection is your priority, ExpressVPN won’t disappoint. With an extensive network of servers in diverse locations, this VPN opens doors to bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing global content. ExpressVPN employs industry-leading encryption protocols, supports multiple devices, and presents a user-friendly interface. Although slightly higher priced than some alternatives, the exceptional performance and comprehensive feature set make ExpressVPN a compelling choice.

3. CyberGhost

With a strong focus on privacy and security, CyberGhost offers a user-friendly VPN service. Its vast network of servers ensures reliable and fast connections, while stringent encryption measures and a strict no-logs policy protect your online activities from cybersecurity threats. CyberGhost goes beyond the basics by providing features like ad-blocking, malicious website blocking, and dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting. With an intuitive interface and affordable pricing plans, CyberGhost stands as a solid alternative to Avira Phantom VPN.

4. Surfshark

Surfshark may be a relatively new player, but its growing popularity stems from an enticing array of features. Boasting a large network of servers across numerous countries, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections and offers robust encryption for optimal online security. Unique features like CleanWeb, which blocks ads and malware, and MultiHop, which routes your connection through multiple servers for enhanced privacy, add to Surfshark’s appeal. With competitive pricing and a user-friendly interface, Surfshark presents a budget-friendly alternative for VPN seekers.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access, often referred to as PIA, has earned a reputation for its steadfast commitment to privacy and security. PIA excels in its no-logs policy, strong encryption, and support for various VPN protocols. With an extensive server network spanning multiple locations, users can connect to servers worldwide. PIA offers advanced features such as split tunneling, allowing users to selectively route their internet traffic through the VPN. Affordable pricing and an unwavering dedication to privacy make PIA a compelling alternative to Avira Phantom VPN.

6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly regarded VPN service that prioritizes privacy and security. Developed by the same team behind ProtonMail, a renowned encrypted email service, ProtonVPN offers a robust set of features. It employs strong encryption protocols and has a strict no-logs policy to ensure your online activities remain private. ProtonVPN also includes advanced features like Secure Core, which routes your traffic through multiple secure servers to defend against network-based attacks. With servers in various countries and support for multiple devices, ProtonVPN is an excellent choice for users seeking enhanced privacy and security as an alternative to Avira Phantom VPN. 

While Avira Phantom VPN has established its place as a reputable VPN service, exploring alternatives can help you find the perfect VPN that aligns with your unique requirements. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access offer distinctive features, server networks, and pricing plans to cater to various needs.

When selecting a VPN, consider your priorities, such as privacy, speed, server coverage, and additional features. It’s crucial to find a VPN that suits your specific needs and preferences. Take advantage of free trials or money-back guarantees offered by VPN providers to test different services and evaluate their performance on your devices and network. 

The post Avira Phantom VPN Alternatives appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

But its fame comes at a cost. Regularly, hackers target WordPress websites and damage websites regardless of their content. You could be writing about technology, personal finance, politics, or selling digital/physical products, and still, your website gets hacked.

It’s disheartening to read that such a powerful platform is so vulnerable. But all is not lost. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Taking precautionary security measures for your website today can reap significant benefits in the long run. To ensure that your digital footprint is free from heinous malware attacks and other security breaches, you need to take action today.

This article is written to help you make your WordPress site secure. Once you’ve done reading through these 15 steps, you will be well on your way to protect yourself from any cyber criminals that come your way.

So, without further ado, let’s begin with the very first.

1. A Good Hosting Company Helps You Go the Distance

The best way you can make your WordPress site secure from malware attacks is to select a hosting provider that offers multi-layered security at the server level.

It’s tempting to go with a cheap hosting provider, especially if you’re just starting. That said, if you’re serious about your business or blog, then you should invest in hosting that doesn’t give you security nightmares (SQL Injections, Ransomware, Malware, URL redirects, SERP blacklisting, etc.) in the long run.

Not only does a good host offer superior quality in security. But it also comes with loads of other benefits like a built-in CDN, automatic backups, free migration, and a complimentary WordPress installation that can help you save time and make your site optimized from the get-go. These types of hosting services are called managed hosting services.

While there is a myriad of hosting services available on the internet, the most popular ones are Pantheon and WPEngine. Their prices are reasonable even with the level of services they provide.

2. The World of Nulled and Pirated Themes and Plugins and Why You Should Avoid

Premium themes and plugins come with functionalities that their regular counterparts can’t match up to. The developers release the premium versions to ensure they have the financial resources to keep developing better things in the future.

To ensure WordPress security, these plugins and themes are updated continuously and released into the market. Individuals who have paid for those themes update them to the latest version.

The developers ensure quality, and the users’ websites are secure. At least that’s how the legal flow works.

Then there are those people who, in seeking premium features for free, decide to pirate or download previous versions of those themes and security plugins for their site.

While it is tempting to gain premium benefits on your site, it is essential to remember that those themes and plugins are nulled, meaning the developers have already moved their official users from that version to the newer, more secure version. Those themes and plugins you’re using have an insecure codebase and are vulnerable to any hacker worth his/her salt.

There are plenty of ways to select the best WordPress theme, but it’s always recommended that you avoid nulled and pirated themes. Free Premium features are just not worth it if you’re sacrificing your site.

3. Security Plugins and Why They Matter

You can check your site for vulnerabilities by regularly checking the codebase of your website, themes, and plugins.

Unless you’re proficient in coding and have lots of free time, that’s a pretty good option. Even then, most programmers would instead take the easy and automated way out by installing a security plugin.

A security plugin helps protect your site from malware attacks and hacks of all sorts. It also keeps your site in check 24/7, sends you security alerts in the event something goes wrong.

WordFence is the industry leader when it comes to security plugins—providing a variety of security features like malware detection, blocking shady logins, firewalls, scanners, two-factor authentication, and more.

Apart from WordFence, you can also use Sucuri Security to secure your WordPress installation. The plugin comes with powerful features like improving site speeds through built-in caching tools and a CDN, protection against DDoS attacks, exploitation, and other hacks.

Both of these plugins we’ve mentioned come with their premium versions that give your WordPress site an additional performance and security boost. That said, the regular versions are also very beneficial.

4. The Benefit of Using Strong Passwords and Usernames

Strong passwords are an essential tool in securing your site. Often overlooked, there are still many users who prefer to use passwords like “123456, password, and abc123”.

If you’re one of those users, then change your password instantly. While it’s easy to remember these passwords, it’s also easy for hackers to gain access to your site without facing any particular problems, even with the security plugin installed.

To set a strong password with all the best practices, you should choose an online password generator. We understand that the generator will release passwords that are complex and hard to remember. To solve that issue, you can use a password management service like Lastpass or Passbolt.

Don’t just limit yourself to the login password. Create strong passwords for your hosting account, your FTP, and databases.

Similarly, don’t just rely on generic login usernames like “[Login]” or “admin.” Try and take a more personalized approach towards usernames so that hackers can’t easily figure it out. You don’t need a generator at this point. Just use your imagination and figure out a username that you can easily remember.

For example, you can use the username of your favorite author, like say Ernest Hemingway, and create a username lie “E-Hemmingway” or “Ernest Hummingbird.” A comical example, it’s no less original.

5. Disable the File Editing Option

You can edit the code of your WordPress themes and plugins in by visiting your dashboard and navigating Appearance > Editor. An alternative way you can do that is to visit Plugins > Editor.

Once your developers have done making some custom changes (if any), you should disable the File Editor feature. In the event of hackers getting access to your site, a disabled file editing option will also prevent them from planting malicious code on your website.

Disabling the file editing feature is pretty simple. Go to your wp-config.php and paste the following code as shown here;

define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);

6. Installing an SSL Certificate

Single Sockets Layer (SSL) indicates that a site is secure and that transactions and payment processing are also secure from that site. Google ramped up SSL’s importance by giving it precedence over sites that don’t have an SSL installed.

If you’re looking to rank high in the Search Engine Result Pages (SERP’s), as well as make your WordPress site secure for users, then you must install an SSL certificate.

Here’s why. An SSL certificate adds an https:// to your site instead of the plain old http://. It shows search engines that a website is secure and transactions and other activities within it are also secure. As a result, when you publish content on your site and rank it on a search engine like Google, it gives it precedence over other non-secure sites.

There are plenty of SSL certificate providers available on the internet, and depending on your budget, you can select which one suits you best.

7. Change The “wp-admin” Login URL To Something Else

The default WordPress login is the following:

yoursite.com/wp-admin

If you have a strong username and password, then you’re already secure from hackers. To restrict their access even further, you can completely remove the access by changing the URL from wp-admin to something else.

To harden security even further, you can add a two-factor authentication method to your site with a plugin such as Two Factor Authentication. At the same time, you’re also blocking the IP addresses with the most failed logins that your security plugin reports.

8. Limit Login Attempts

The default WordPress login allows users to login as many times as they can. It allows the authentic user to try to log in a few times until he/she can get access.

But for the hacker, it provides more than sufficient room to try and gain access to your site. When given enough room, they can also trigger a DDoS attack that can hamper your site’s reputation to a damaging extent. 

You can limit the login attempts on your site through the Limit Login Attempts Reloaded plugin, which allows you to set a limit on the number of login attempts by going to the plugin settings.

9. Keep Your wp-config.php and .htaccess Files Hidden

While this one borders one being a bit advanced for the general user, keeping these files hidden can prove beneficial in improving the security of your site in the long run.

Warning: Before trying this, we would recommend creating a backup of your WordPress installation. Because coding is not for everyone, in the event things do turn out awry, it can cause serious ramifications to your site’s processes. So be vigilant before trying this.

Once you’ve backed up your site, all you need to do is to visit your wp-config.php file and add the following code:

<Files wp-config.php>
order allow,deny
deny from all
</Files>

Similarly, you need to do the following to the .htaccess file:

<Files .htaccess>
order allow,deny
deny from all
</Files>

Even though the process is easy to understand and implement, it is essential to have a backup just in case you break your website. Again, coding is something that’s to be left to the coders. If you have a developer with you, you should perform these things alongside him/her.

10. Keep Your WordPress Updated

Besides updating plugins and themes regularly, you should also look towards keeping your WordPress core updated as well.

Similar to plugins and themes, WordPress core developers also release new security updates with each new version. With newer updates, you prevent hackers from using generally accepted loopholes to hack into your site.

For its part, WordPress installs minor updates automatically. For the major ones, however, you can visit the admin dashboard to install them manually.

11, XML-RPC Files and Why You Need to Disable Them

Coming packed with the default WordPress installation since version 3.5, the XML-RPC files are crucial if you wish to connect your site with web and mobile applications.

While these files are useful, hackers have managed to utilize this for amplifying brute force attacks on your site. 

In a scenario where you have installed Brute Force Protection with either WordFence or another security plugin, the plugin would block multiple login attempts by multiple IP addresses. If hackers try to hack your site 100 times, their IP addresses will be blocked 100 times. 

The XML-RPC, however, changes this scenario in favor of them. They do so by accessing the system.multicall function to guess the password for, let’s say, 20 to 50 requests without getting their IP banned by the plugin. 

So, to ensure security from Brute Force attacks, it’s recommended that you disable the XML-RPC file. Here’s how you can go about doing it.

12. Log Out Users That are Idle for Too Long

Whenever a logged-in user (it could be you or your employees) wanders away from a screen for a long time, it can pose a security risk for your site. Several ways can happen:

• Your WordPress session can be highjacked by someone malicious.
• That someone can change the password to your website, disabling your access.
• Once they have possession of your account, they can make malicious changes to your account.

It’s recommended that you remove users who are inactive for too long on your site to prevent such social engineers from hacking your website.

You can accomplish that by using a plugin called Inactive Logout. Once you’ve installed the plugin, simply navigate to Settings > Inactive Logout to set the plugin’s timing. Afterward, click on Save Changes and you’re done.

13. Enable Security Questions on Your WordPress Login

If creating a strong password, username, and changing the wp-admin login URL wasn’t enough, you can boost the security of your WordPress site even further by introducing a security question.

WordPress plugins add value to your security. Using the WP Security Questions plugin, you can add security questions to your site.

14. Regularly Perform Security Audits

WordFence and associated security plugins regularly track your website traffic and send you reports of any oddities (if they do exist).

If you see sudden changes in your website traffic or your overall SERP rankings, we recommend manually scanning your site for errors and possible signs that it’s been hacked.

There are plenty of non-WordPress solutions that can help you detect the problems on your site. That said, the most effective amongst them is Sucuri Site Health Check and Virustotal.

Going through these scans is relatively easy. All you have to do is enter the URL of your website, and wait for the scan to finish. Both of these scanners are thorough in their searches and will generate a detailed report showing off where your security is lacking and what are the significant problems related to your site.

It’s recommended that you perform these scans regularly to protect yourself in the event of things going wrong.

15. Disable PHP File Execution in Specific WordPress Directories

Another method that you can use to ensure security at the backend is to disable the execution of PHP files for certain directories.  In certain directories such as the /wp-content/uploads/, that file is not needed.

Similar to how you need to disable XML-RPC and File Editing, you can also perform this action to prevent hackers from getting access to your site through them.

You can do this by opening up a Notepad document and pasting the following code onto it:

<Files *.php>
deny from all 
</Files>

Save this as .htaccess and upload it on your WordPress installation in the directory mentioned above. Similar to the wp-config.php file we mentioned above, it’s best that you backup before you perform this action since changes might cause your website to break.

Wrapping Things Up

WordPress security is essential, and you need to be proactive about creating an almost unbreakable wall for your website. Once you’ve done that, it’s best to stay vigilant and take the time to go through the security of your site.

Failure to do so can harm your digital reputation in the form of SERP blacklists or, worse, ransom demands from hackers themselves. It’s not a situation you want to find yourself in.

We wish you the best of luck in making your WordPress site secure from hacks. Stay safe, and stay vigilant.

The post 15 Essential Steps to Make Your WordPress Site Secure Against the Malware Attacks appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

Digital interactions are becoming more refined every day, and we have access to a wide range of digital tools that can collect our data, our browsing habits, and record some of our information on different servers.

Customers are well aware of such practices, so they are getting more reluctant to sign up for certain services online. If your website doesn’t inspire confidence, they will inevitably cross over to one of your many competitors who do their best to educate them on every single security measure they have in place.

All of those customer behavioral habits paired with the expansion of the digital realm make it a growing challenge for businesses to keep their digital platforms perfectly safe. Hackers are getting more skillful, the malicious programs they’re using are more refined. So digital brands need to go beyond traditional preventative measures to improve website security.

We have compiled a list of several useful tips to help you in achieving this particular goal. So that you can grow your digital presence in a secure, customer-friendly manner.

Work on Security

The standard technology for keeping an internet connection secure and protecting any sensitive data that is being sent between two systems is called SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer. This technology stops criminals from reading and altering any information transferred, including potentially personal details.

You and everyone who sees your website are protected when using an SSL certificate. The SSL prevents anyone outside the website from seeing a user’s personal information whenever they enter it on a website.

WP Force SSL is a fantastic solution that will assist you with all SSL-related issues. Let’s review a few of the things it provides. The first is that it will cover all you would require to support your SSL. This implies that since it is an all-in-one tool, you may save time and money by not having to purchase a variety of various tools.

Regular Software Updates

Web software solutions are far from finite products that you simply “plug and play” and leave be for the rest of the time. On the contrary, all of your website features require ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and above all, updates that come with security patches to prevent sensitive data leaks and other weak links in your online presence.

Regular software updates fall under the category of “must-do” for absolutely every single business that has a website today – without regular updates, you risk providing hackers with a loophole they can use against you.

That means that every single tool you use that is digital, be it a CMS platform, a ticketing system, a reporting tool, or an automated payment solution. It needs to be updated regularly and managed properly by your team to prevent security issues down the line.

The more your team grows. The greater this challenge becomes. Since it’s often a single individual that might fail to update their software and risk exposing your entire business to cyber-attacks.

A Dedicated Security Team

Your employees may consist of skilled marketers, SEO gurus, content writers, salespeople, graphic designers, you name it. But they often lack the most basic website security awareness necessary. To keep your e-commerce store or even your business’s website fully secure for all online interactions and exchanges.

That said, more companies are now enriching their teams with educated security experts to run a tight ship.

Each business should have its cyber security professional on board that will manage, monitor, and implements the latest security measures. Plus, they can educate your employees and train them during onboarding on how to manage passwords properly. When to notify them of updates, and how to implement other best practices to keep your business safe and secure.

Rely on a Firewall

Web application firewalls, or WAF for short, are some of the most effective solutions any website requires for spotless security and prevention. It’s considered the pillar of cybersecurity, and businesses of all sizes and industries are using them to keep their sites protected from hackers and data leaks.

With such a security measure in place. Any inbound and outbound traffic on your site will be thoroughly checked and monitored at all times. To prevent sensitive information leaks and similar issues that can ultimately wreck your reputation and your business.

It’s an excellent option for smaller businesses that don’t have the internal resources or the financial means to operate a large-scale cybersecurity sector on site.

Choose the Best Plugins for Your Site

Every website platform has its security patches and plugins you can use to build upon your existing website structure. And ensure the safest possible customer journey on your site. As time goes by, the most commonly used and trusted platforms, such as WordPress, continuously publish advanced security plugins for preventing spam and other unwanted malicious attempts to weaken your site’s security.

Depending on your site’s structure and current security measures, you should look into the kind of plugins that make the most sense for your business. Of course, this is not a one-time effort. But should be an ongoing strategy that your IT team should monitor and select optimal plugins for your business.

Enforce a Strong Password Policy

Using strong passwords is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your website is secure. Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean that it’s any less important than any other security measure. With the help of advanced tools, hackers often use brute force for password-cracking.

That’s why your passwords should be long – a minimum of ten characters – and complex. With both upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters to defend against brute force.

Luckily, hackers are not the only ones with handy tools in their arsenal. There are many helpful tools and software that can help you calculate the strength of your passwords and easily generate new passwords. It is necessary to change your passwords frequently. These tools will help you come up with new, improved ones in no time.

If you’re struggling to remember all of your passwords, you can use password management tools that will help you keep track of all of your password changes.

This password policy should be applied across your organization, not only for your website security.

Wrapping Up

As you have noticed, there isn’t a single most effective solution for any given digital business out there. It’s your responsibility towards your customers as well as your reputation. To uphold the promise of safe purchasing and browsing on your website. By any means necessary, including the ones listed above.

These helpful tips can help you keep your digital business safe from harm. And play a key role in making your customers happy. So use them as part of your website security strategy and grow your digital presence.

The post Effective and Affordable Tips to Improve Website Security appeared first on WP Pluginsify.

Although there are anti-spam features in email services such as Gmail and Hotmail, it is never 100 percent secure. It always slips through spam no matter how secure the system may be.

For us who use WordPress, the same criteria apply, the WordPress CMS is not entirely safe and secure when it comes to spam. To add to this, the WordPress core is meant to be a platform that you can build upon, and plug-ins provide solutions to many of the issues that core has – spam being one of them. You have to add anti-spam plugins to block spam in comments, forms, and registrations to harden the security.

I know it is hard to choose a suitable plugin? But no worries, help is on the way! Keep reading.

The First Spam Email

Email spam is nothing new; as early as 1978, the first spam was sent (although the name spam was still not yet formulated, it first appeared in April 1993), to several hundred users on ARPANET.

It was an advertisement for a presentation by Digital Equipment Corporation regarding their DECSYSTEM-20 products sent by Gary Thuerk.

Spam is even more of a problem since the launch of ChatGPT. That is why we recommend using an AI content detector like Originality.AI to be extra sure you are not getting too much SPAM content.

Unsolicited Emails Are One of the Most Most Comprehensive Factors in Being Exposed to Malware

Unsolicited emails are one of the most significant risks of being exposed to malware and malicious code. According to AV-TEST, which is an Independent IT-Security Institute, international spam campaigns can be divided into three categories, and they are:

• Unsolicited advertising.
• Spam with URL (potential phishing or malware).
• Spam with attached files (potential malware).

So to clarify the importance of protecting your email and your website from spam is a necessary and essential task.

Email & Spam Data

According to Talos ThreatSource, which is an update from Cisco Talos and highlights the most significant threats and other security news each week, we have obtained these statistics:

Total Global Email and Spam Volume for September 2019

One-month statistics (September 2019).

Total Global Email and Spam Volume for Past Year

This is how the email and spam statistics look like for the past year!

It is incredible numbers, and volume of spam sent every month and year. No wonder we are bombarded with spam in our email and on our websites. Keeping your website under check and improving it’s overall security is something that WebARX can easily help you out with.

Let’s move on with how we can protect ourselves against spam comments on our WordPress websites.

Anti-Spam Plugins for WordPress to Keep Your Site Safe and Secure

If we go into more detail on how we can guard and prevent all possible spam on our WordPress websites, plugins are the most beneficial and wallet-friendly solution, since most of the plugins are free.

I have put together a list of free anti-spam plugins for WordPress that can help you on your way to fighting spam and neutralizing threats.

At the end of the article, there are also additional plugins that have anti-spam features included. Plus premium anti-spam WordPress plugins for those who want additional features and maybe more support than offered in the free anti-spam WordPress plugins.

Let’s go, shall we?

Akismet Anti-Spam

Akismet is the most popular and most used anti-spam WordPress plugin currently. The plugin has over 5+ million active installations on WordPress. So this is a plugin with a large user base. It is well maintained and supported; after all, it is a plugin from Automattic, the company behind WordPress.

You need an Akismet.com API key to use the plugin. The keys are free for personal blogs. Paid versions are Plus and Enterprise, where prices range between $5 and $50.

Akismet checks comments and contact form submissions on your websites against their global database of spam to filters out, block all conceivable malicious content. It is an easy-to-use plugin to secure your website by secure comment and form submission.

Antispam Bee

Antispam Bee is another popular anti-spam WordPress plugin that can help you prevent spam on your website. With over 400,000+ active installs, it is a trusted and well supported free plugin. It is a plugin that blocks spam comments and trackbacks. Furthermore, it also contains a lot of features and filters which allow you to tick the options you want to use.

Some options available you can enable or disable are – Trust approved commenters. Trust commenters with a Gravatar. Mark BBCode is spam. Also, block or allow comments from specific countries. Mark as spam, don’t delete it. Delete existing spam after x days. Plus, many more options to handle and boost the plugin to stop spam most efficiently.

Antispam Bee is a full-fledged Akismet alternative. Additionally, with more options for configuration, which is a big plus for anyone who wants to configure and set how the plugin work. For all of you others who want a no-brainer-and-no-options-to-set plugin. No worries, the plugin works right out of the box as well.

WordPress Zero Spam

WordPress Zero Spam is a free WordPress plugin that stops and blocks registration spam and also automatically stops spam in comments. The plugin works right out of the box. However, there are some general settings for you who want to manage options manually.

You can choose to enable or disable log spammers, Auto IP Block, comment support, registration support, and also add custom messages and more.

Some of the significant features in the WordPress Zero Spam is No captcha for users. The plugin blocks 99.9% of spam registrations & comments. It supports caching plugins such as W3 Total Cache. Block spammy IPs, and much more.

WordPress Zero Spam is a flexible plugin to fight and stop spam, that trying to invade your site. A plus for the settings page. It is always welcome with options to configure settings you want to enable or disable.

WPBruiser {no- Captcha anti-Spam}

WPBruiser is a WordPress plugin that targets both anti-spam and website security. It is a feature-rich plugin with several settings to boost and increase security. The plugin uses algorithms that identify spam bots without using captcha images.

WPBruiser stops and blocks spam comments, spam-bot signups, and even brute force attacks. Unlike other plugins that usually save spam in a spam folder that can be using resources, WPBruiser prevents the bots from leaving any spam at all.

The plugin includes features such as comments form protection. Prevent user enumeration, minimum form submission time. Detect brute force attacks, automatically block IP addresses, and much more.

The WPBruiser plugin offers full protection against spam in all its forms. Furthermore, it also provides more security like detecting and stopping brute force attacks, which can cause considerable damage to your website.

Stop Spammers

Stop Spammers is an anti-spam WordPress plugin with over 50,000+ active installs. So this is a well-proven plugin with a lot of 5 stars ratings. It is a plugin built to stop spammy emails, spam comments, spam registration, and of course, spambots.

Stop Spammers is like a swiss army knife with numerous features to stop spam in all its forms. After installing this plugin, there are 12 tabs available with settings such as – Protection options, allow lists, block lists, allow requests, caching, and more.

However, no worries, if you don’t want to spend too much time customizing the setting, the plugin works right out of the box.

With this plugin, Stop Spammers, you get excellent protection against spam that tries to infiltrate into your website. The plugin includes tons of great features to make use of to secure your WordPress website.

No Spam At All

No Spam At All is another free anti-spam fighting plugin for WordPress to secure your website against spam. If spam robots or bots add comments to your websites. The plugin filters out the spam comments and stores them for you to decide whether to delete all pending comments or not with a single click.

Moreover, the settings available you can choose from are – How often should the comment token change. Include or exclude the comment author URL. Allow links in the comments or not. You can also add a custom message to real commenters and intending evil spammers.

No Spam At All is a plugin that fulfills its task, which is to prevent and block spam comments satisfactorily. More features are coming in future updates, according to the author.

NoSpamNX

NoSpamNX is a free spam fighting WordPress plugin. The plugin has over 10,000+ active installations and is a popular anti-spam choice among WordPress users. It is an easy-to-use plugin. Install, activate the plugin, and you are ready to stop evil spambots. With easy configuration, only two options, Block spam or Mark as spam.

NoSpamNX adds additional form fields to your comment form, invisible to human users. If a spambot fills in these fields blindly, the plugin does not save the comment. The spam is marked as spam or is blocked from the choice you made earlier in the settings.

According to the author, the plugin works best with a WordPress default theme! Moreover, the plugin is not compatible with OpenID, BuddyPress, and Jetpack Comments. However, it is an easy-to-configure plugin that can help you to fight spam.

Anti-spam

Anti-spam is a free WordPress plugin that can help you block spam on your website. It is a plugin that works right out of the box. However, you can choose to tick the box – Save spam comments in the spam section, if you want to check your spam comments later. It is an easy-to-use plugin. Install, activate, and you are ready to fight spam.

No captcha is used. Instead, a blocking algorithm based on two methods – ‘invisible js-captcha’ and ‘invisible input trap’ (aka honeypot technique) is used to block spam.

Something that can cause problems for those who want to use the plugin is that Anti-spam is not compatible with several plugins. Disqus, Jetpack Comments, AJAX Comment Form, and bbPress, which can cause some users to prefer to install other anti-spam plugins.

However, the plugin is popular with over 200,000+ active installs. The plugin is also available in a premium version – Anti-spam Pro if you want more features and support.

Spam Destroyer

Spam Destroyer is a free WordPress plugin created by Ryan Hellyer. The plugin’s primary goal is to stop and block automated spam. It is a simple-to-use plugin. Install the plugin, activate it, and you are ready to seek and destroy automated spam. There are no settings or options included. Its purpose is that it should be effortless to use.

How does the plugin work? According to the faq section: There are two anti-spam payloads, a cookie, and a hidden input field, which are created/verified by javascript. Any bots attempting to bypass this plugin need to be able to process both cookies and or javascript.

Spam Destroyer is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stop and block automated spam without lots of configuration settings. Just activate the plugin, and you are all set.

Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan

Cerber Security, Antispam & Malware Scan is not only an anti-spam plugin but also as its name suggests a security and malware scan plugin. In other words, it is a multipurpose plugin to ensure and boost the security of your WordPress websites against various threats.

It is a complex plugin with a ton of features and options to defend your website against spam, hacker attacks, trojans, and malware. If you want something more than just a regular anti-spam plugin, then the Cerber Security plugin can be an excellent alternative to increase the security on all levels of your WordPress website.

Cerber Security has over 100,000+ active installations, is regularly updated, and is well maintained and is popular security and anti-spam plugin for both beginners and pros.

Additional Free WordPress Plugins Where Anti-spam Features Are Included

• Wordfence Security – Firewall & Malware Scan – Wordfence Security is a security plugin for defending and blocking all conceivable threats to your website. It includes tons of features such as a firewall and malware scanner, but the plugin also checks and terminate spam.
• Jetpack by WordPress.com – Jetpack is a multipurpose plugin with an arsenal of various features such as backups, SEO tools, customization tools, site stats, and more. However, Jetpack also comes with security-related features like brute-force attack protection and spam filtering.
• All In One WP Security & Firewall – It is a plugin that comes with a ton of great features to boost security on all levels. Additional security features are user account security, login security, registration security, and comment spam security. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. All In One WP Security includes many more layers of features to increase security on your WP website.
• BulletProof Security – BulletProof Security is another security plugin with website protection such as MScan malware scanner, .htaccess security protection (firewall), DB backup, login security, and monitoring, however also anti-spam control.
• Brute Force Login Security, Spam Protection & Limit Login Attempts – With this plugin, you can add Brute Force login security, login protection with limit login attempts to your website. Furthermore, database backup, IP blocking, password protection with two-factor authentication, plus also spam protection to block and filter comment spam.

Additional Premium Anti-spam WordPress Plugins

• Anti-spam Pro – Anti-spam Pro is a premium plugin with the main task of stopping spam comments. It is a WordPress plugin that works right out of the box but also has a setting page for more optimization.
• WPBruiserPro { no-Captcha anti-Spam } – WPBruiserPro is the premium version of the free WPBruiser that I presented earlier in the list above. So if you want more features and support than the free version offers, go for the premium version of WPBruiser.
• WP-SpamShield – WordPress Anti-Spam Plugin – WP-SpamShield is another premium plugin that prevents and blocks spam in comments, contact forms, and registrations. It has two layers of leading-edge anti-spam protection that blocks both automated (spambots) and human spam.
• WP Guard – WordPress Security, Firewall & Anti-Spam – WP Guard is a security plugin that protects a WordPress website from SQLi attacks, malicious files, XSS vulnerabilities, proxy visitors, spam, and also other types of threats.

Wrapping Up

By now, you are no doubt aware that using an anti-spam WordPress plugin is a significant factor in protecting, block, and tackle spam on your website.

It is a necessity, because not only is it time-consuming to sort out all the possible comments. It is also hazardous as spam comments can contain malicious code and can hijack and take over your website.

These free anti-spam plugins that I present in the list above can help you stop spam comments and also improve the security of your WordPress website.

Furthermore, I have also added other plugins that contain anti-spam features and additional premium plugins to battle spam in the best possible way.

So if you get lots of spam comments, don’t wait too long to install any of the anti-spam plugins. Get it done right away to protect your site.

Finally, which of all anti-spam plugins do you prefer and use on your website? I would love to hear your point of view in a comment below. No spam comments, please.

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The post 10 Best Free Anti-Spam Plugins for WordPress to Keep Your Site Safe and Secure appeared first on WP Pluginsify.