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BBQ Firewall – Fast & Powerful Firewall Security

By Jeff Starr

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

BBQ Firewall – Fast & Powerful Firewall Security Review - In-Depth Analysis

The fastest firewall plugin for WordPress. Protect against a wide range of threats with minimal performance impact.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.79/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 160+ reviews)

Active Installations

100,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Install, activate, and done! BBQ Firewall is a lightweight, blazing-fast firewall plugin that protects your site against a wide range of threats. BBQ checks all incoming traffic and quietly blocks bad requests containing nasty stuff like eval(), base64_, and excessively long request-strings. This is a simple yet solid solution for sites that are unable to use a strong Apache/.htaccess firewall.

BBQ protects your site against many threats, including SQL injection attacks, executable file uploads, directory traversal attacks, unsafe character requests, and many more. It works great with other security plugins and is designed to be hassle-free and easy to use.

This plugin does not collect or store any user data, ensuring user privacy. Regularly updated and lightweight, BBQ Firewall is the perfect solution for enhancing your site's security.

Comparing to Alternatives

BBQ Firewall stands out among WordPress security plugins by focusing on simplicity and efficiency in blocking malicious queries. Compared to other popular plugins, it offers a lightweight and straightforward approach to firewall protection.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Lightweight and fast with minimal impact on site performance
Easy to install and configure with no complicated settings
Effective at blocking bad bots and malicious traffic
Unique design that complements system-wide firewalls
Responsive and helpful developer support

Weaknesses

Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
May not provide comprehensive malware scanning
Less suitable for users needing extensive customization options

User Sentiment Analysis

Users appreciate BBQ Firewall for its simplicity, effectiveness, and developer responsiveness. Feedback highlights its ease of use and reliable protection.

Positive highlights

"Easy to use, not complicated" – mikapin
"A fast, lightweight and highly effective firewall" – pgmachtweb
"Outstanding support with quick and clear responses" – Bernhard Leube
"Simple and efficient. 'Just Works'." – Ashutosh
"Great plugin and fast support" – Aurélien Denis

Common complaints

Lack of extensive configuration options
Does not include comprehensive malware scanning
Limited advanced features compared to some other plugins

Weaknesses

May not suit users seeking all-in-one security solutions
Some users desire more detailed reporting and analytics

Who Should Use This?

Best for

BBQ Firewall is ideal for WordPress users seeking a lightweight, easy-to-use firewall that effectively blocks malicious traffic without complex setup.

Not ideal for

It may not be the best choice for users who require comprehensive malware scanning, extensive customization, or an all-in-one security suite.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential firewall protection by blocking bad queries and malicious bots with minimal configuration required.

Pro version (25 - 180 USD / one-time)

The Pro version adds advanced features such as enhanced blocking rules, priority support, and additional customization options to strengthen site security further.

Final Verdict

BBQ Firewall is a reliable and efficient security plugin that excels in simplicity and performance, making it suitable for users who want effective protection without complexity.

While it lacks some advanced features found in larger security suites, its lightweight design and excellent support make it a valuable tool for maintaining WordPress site security.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free BBQ Firewall – Fast & Powerful Firewall Security plugin.

firewall

security

web application firewall

FAQ

To test that the plugin is working, you can request any of the blocked patterns. For example, visit your site’s homepage and enter the following URL:

https://example.com/eval(

Replace example.com with your site’s actual domain. If BBQ is active, the request for that URL will be blocked (with a “403 Forbidden” status). This means the plugin is working properly. You can test other patterns as well. To view all the patterns blocked by BBQ, look at the function bbq_core() located in block-bad-queries.php.