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Protect WP Admin

By WP-EXPERTS.IN

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Protect WP Admin Review - In-Depth Analysis

Protect WP Admin enhances your site's security by allowing you to change the default wp-admin URL and customize the login page. It restricts access based on roles or specific user IDs.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.04/10

User Rating

3.6/5 (based on 50+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Protect WP Admin adds an extra security layer to your WP site by allowing you to rename and secure the wp-admin and wp-login.php URLs.

You can change the default admin URL, restrict access to the dashboard by roles or specific user IDs, and customize the login page colors and logo. This plugin helps stop bots and hackers from brute-forcing your login page, making it ideal for any site looking to increase login security without modifying core files.

The pro version offers additional features such as renaming wp-admin completely, setting login attempt limits, tracking login history, and more style controls.

Comparing to Alternatives

Protect WP Admin is one of several plugins designed to enhance WordPress login security by hiding or protecting the admin login page. It faces competition from a variety of plugins offering similar features with different approaches and additional security layers.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effective at hiding the wp-admin login URL to reduce unauthorized access attempts
Responsive and helpful support as noted by users
Simple to use with straightforward setup
Regular updates addressing security vulnerabilities
Free version offers useful features for basic protection

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with newer WordPress versions causing login problems
Known security vulnerabilities in older versions requiring prompt updates
Redirect loop issues reported after WordPress updates
Some users experienced being locked out of their sites

User Sentiment Analysis

User reviews show a mixed sentiment with a majority positive rating but a significant minority reporting serious issues, especially after WordPress updates. The plugin holds a 3.6 out of 5 rating with 56% five-star reviews but also 34% one- or two-star reviews indicating notable dissatisfaction.

Positive highlights

"Works perfect & Awesome support" - ichmirmich
"Simple Its all done" - truekandyan
Support responds quickly to issues after WordPress updates - ichmirmich

Common complaints

Cannot log in after WordPress 5.6 update, requiring FTP to disable plugin
Plugin causes redirect loops post WordPress updates
Compatibility issues leading to being locked out of websites
Security loopholes allowing direct access to wp-login.php despite plugin activation

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities fixed only in recent updates
Plugin stability issues after WordPress core updates
Potential for lockout due to plugin malfunction
Redirect loop problems affecting login access

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a straightforward plugin to hide their WordPress admin login URL with basic protection features and who are comfortable keeping the plugin updated to avoid security risks.

Not ideal for

Users who require guaranteed compatibility with the latest WordPress versions or those who cannot risk potential lockouts or redirect issues; also not ideal for users needing advanced security features beyond login URL hiding.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides essential features such as hiding the wp-admin login URL and basic protection against unauthorized access attempts.

Pro version

Offers enhanced security features, priority support, and additional customization options for login protection beyond the free version.

Final Verdict

Protect WP Admin offers effective login URL hiding and has a supportive user base praising its simplicity and support responsiveness. However, it has faced significant compatibility and security challenges, particularly with WordPress updates, which have led to serious user complaints including lockouts and redirect loops.

While the free version provides valuable basic protection, users must be vigilant about updates to mitigate security risks. Those needing robust, consistently reliable login security might consider alternative plugins with stronger track records for compatibility and fewer vulnerabilities.