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Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall

By WPMU DEV - Your All-in-One WordPress Platform

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall Review - In-Depth Analysis

Defender Security is a comprehensive WordPress security plugin that offers malware scanning, login security, and a firewall. It protects against brute force attacks and other vulnerabilities.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.65/10

User Rating

4.8/5 (based on 334+ reviews)

Active Installations

80,000+

Update Frequency

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

Defender Security enhances your WordPress site's security with a range of features including a malware scanner, firewall, and login protection. It helps prevent brute force attacks, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.

With Defender, you can easily set up two-factor authentication and IP blocking to safeguard your site. The plugin also includes an activity log, security recommendations, and the ability to connect to the AntiBot Global Firewall for enhanced protection.

Defender is designed for ease of use, allowing you to implement security hardening with just a few clicks. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, Defender provides the tools you need to keep your website secure.

Comparing to Alternatives

Defender Security is a well-regarded security plugin with several direct competitors offering similar features for WordPress security and malware protection.

Top alternatives

Strengths

High user rating with over 90% five-star reviews indicating strong user satisfaction.
Includes comprehensive security features such as malware scanning, login security, and firewall protection.
Lightweight and efficient, praised for not slowing down websites.
Offers a pro version with advanced features at a competitive price.
Good user support and regular updates addressing security vulnerabilities.

Weaknesses

Recent history of multiple medium-severity security vulnerabilities, though patched promptly.
Some users report conflicts with other plugins like Elementor Pro after updates.
Nagging admin notices outside plugin pages can be intrusive.
Security risk score is moderate, indicating room for improvement in security hardening.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong 4.8 out of 5 rating from 334 users, Defender Security enjoys overwhelmingly positive feedback, especially for its effectiveness and ease of use. Negative reviews are rare and mostly focus on minor usability issues.

Positive highlights

'Best security plugin ever! I buy pro version after few test with free version!' – maca8291
'Many attacks have been repelled, and you are well informed about the measures necessary to maintain protection.' – lwloingo
'Does the job even at the free level.' – Nigel Parry
'Country blocking has saved my sites and sanity.' – mrgoodfriend
'Easy to understand and does what it says.' – Stina Deurell

Common complaints

Nagging notices outside of plugin pages are annoying and disrupt user experience.

Weaknesses

Some plugin updates cause conflicts with other popular plugins like Elementor Pro.
Admin notices can be intrusive and poorly placed.
Moderate security risk score due to past vulnerabilities, though these have been fixed.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Website owners and administrators looking for a robust, easy-to-use security plugin with both free and affordable pro options, especially those who want comprehensive malware scanning and firewall protection without heavy resource usage.

Not ideal for

Users who prefer plugins with no history of security vulnerabilities or those who dislike intrusive admin notices might find this plugin less suitable. Also, users running complex setups with Elementor Pro should test compatibility carefully.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential security features including malware scanning, login security, and firewall protection, sufficient for many users.

Pro version (3 - 9 USD / month)

The pro version adds advanced security features and enhanced protection options, providing greater control and comprehensive site defense at a competitive price.

Final Verdict

Defender Security is a highly rated and effective WordPress security plugin that offers a strong set of features in both free and pro versions. It is praised for its ease of use, lightweight design, and solid protection capabilities, making it a top choice for many users.

However, the plugin has had a history of medium-severity vulnerabilities, which have been addressed in updates. Users should ensure they keep the plugin updated and be aware of occasional intrusive admin notices. Overall, it provides excellent value and protection for most WordPress sites.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall plugin.

WordPress security

malware scanner

firewall

brute force protection

Screenshots

FAQ

Defender is built to add all the best hardening and website security recommendations used by the pros without having to become a security expert. This means you get all the most effective and proven protection methods other services provide with fewer settings, one-click hardening and faster setup.

If you’re the administrator and you’ve been locked out due to multiple failed login attempts, Defender offers two options:

Option #1: Use the “Unlock Me” feature:

Click the Unlock Me button on the login page and enter your username or the email address linked to your site. You’ll receive an email with a secure link to unlock your account and regain access — no technical steps needed.

Option #2: Use the manual method (if email doesn’t work):

Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file, located in the main directory of your active theme.

add_filter( 'ip_lockout_default_whitelist_ip', function ( $ips ) {   $ip    = 'YOUR IP HERE';   $ips[] = $ip;   return $ips; } );

Replace “YOUR IP HERE” with your actual IP address (you can use a tool like whatsmyip to find it.)

If you’re the administrator and you’ve been locked out due to multiple failed login attempts, Defender offers two options:

Option #1: Use the “Unlock Me” feature:

Option #2: Use the manual method (if email doesn’t work):

Add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file, located in the main directory of your active theme.

add_filter( 'ip_lockout_default_whitelist_ip', function ( $ips ) {   $ip    = 'YOUR IP HERE';   $ips[] = $ip;   return $ips; } );

Replace “YOUR IP HERE” with your actual IP address (you can use a tool like whatsmyip to find it.)

Contributors and developers

“Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.

WPMU DEV – Your All-in-One WordPress Platform

Pro version Free Version Docs

WPS

6.65

Average

Pro version

Ratings

4.8 out of 5 | 334

Version

6.2.4

Last updated

1 week ago

Active installations

80,000+

WordPress version

7.1 or higher

PHP version

8.0.0 or higher

Languages

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Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall Review - In-Depth Analysis

Performance Overview

What It Does

Comparing to Alternatives

User Sentiment Analysis

Who Should Use This?

Pricing & Value

Final Verdict

Other Notable Features

Screenshots

FAQ

Contributors and developers

Ratings

Reviews (334)

Sort by:

Contributors & Developers

Interested in development?

Changelog

Security Status

Secure

No Unpatched Vulnerabilities

Known Vulnerabilities (7)

Previous Versions

WPS

6.65

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