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RSFirewall!

By RSJoomla!

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

RSFirewall! Review - In-Depth Analysis

RSFirewall! is a security plugin for WordPress that protects against various threats. It offers both free and paid versions with advanced features.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.95/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 5+ reviews)

Active Installations

4,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

5.77 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

RSFirewall! is a powerful WordPress security plugin designed to protect your website from malicious attacks. It is built on the success of the popular Joomla! firewall, ensuring robust protection for your WordPress site.

The free version includes features like active protections against local and remote file inclusion attacks, SQL injection protections, and ReCAPTCHA for forms. It also monitors the integrity of WordPress core files and your own files, while offering options to block XML-RPC and REST API access.

For users opting for the paid version, additional features are available such as Two Factor Authentication, country blocking, and enhanced file integrity checks. RSFirewall! also allows for email notifications on detected threats and the ability to block abusive IPs.

Comparing to Alternatives

RSFirewall! is a well-regarded security plugin with several alternatives available that offer similar firewall and security features for WordPress sites.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Highly rated with a perfect 5-star average from users.
Lightweight and efficient, causing less CPU and memory load compared to some competitors.
Feature-rich with a dependable firewall system.
Long-standing reputation, with users having experience since Joomla days.
Offers a pro version with enhanced features.

Weaknesses

Has had several security vulnerabilities in past versions, though these have been fixed in updates.
Some users experienced login issues after WordPress core updates, requiring uninstall and reinstallation.
Security risk score is moderate, indicating a history of vulnerabilities.
Less known compared to some major competitors, which may affect community support.

User Sentiment Analysis

Based on the 5 perfect 5-star ratings and no negative reviews, users overwhelmingly praise RSFirewall! for its reliability and effectiveness.

Positive highlights

'Really, really good plugin, have been using it since Joomla days' – rockitdizajn
'Very good lightweight firewall. Other firewalls are cpu/memory intensive, but RSFirewall does a solid job and is feature rich.' – harlequ1n
'This is the best security plugin.' – nouthemes
'Excelent security plugin. Now after last update, os ok 🙂' – Alexander Dzhuninski
'After WP update WP till 6.8, can’t login to sites! My customers become angry! We use Pro version, paid for it. But after this bug, we uninstall from all sites! Problem was solved!' – simeon78

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Past vulnerabilities including stored XSS and arbitrary file read issues.
Login problems reported after WordPress core updates.
Moderate security risk score reflecting past issues.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a lightweight, feature-rich firewall plugin with a strong track record and who value a plugin with a pro version for enhanced security features.

Not ideal for

Users who prioritize plugins with a spotless security history or those who want the largest community support might consider alternatives due to RSFirewall!'s past vulnerabilities and moderate risk score.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers a solid set of firewall and security features suitable for many users.

Pro version

The pro version includes advanced security features and enhanced protection capabilities beyond the free offering.

Final Verdict

RSFirewall! is a highly rated and dependable security plugin that offers a lightweight and feature-rich firewall solution. Its pro version adds valuable advanced features, making it a strong choice for users looking to enhance their WordPress security.

However, the plugin has had several security vulnerabilities in the past, which have been addressed in updates, but this history may concern some users. Those prioritizing a flawless security record or broader community support might explore other alternatives.