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Zero Spam for WordPress

By Ben Marshall

Security & Privacy / Security Scanning & Malware Protection

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Zero Spam for WordPress Review - In-Depth Analysis

Zero Spam for WordPress protects your site from spam and malicious attacks. It integrates with various services for enhanced security.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.92/10

User Rating

4.1/5 (based on 143+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

Very Good It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5.5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Protect your WordPress website seamlessly with Zero Spam for WordPress! Eliminate spam and malicious attacks that can harm your online presence. Our plugin integrates effortlessly with Zero Spam, Stop Forum Spam, and Project Honeypot to offer a strong defense system.

Rest easy knowing that we utilize multiple detection methods to swiftly identify and halt potential threats. Whether it is pesky spam, devious trolls, or cunning hackers, Zero Spam is here to protect your website.

With Zero Spam for WordPress, you not only get exceptional protection but also a reliable support that ensures your peace of mind.

Zero Spam for WordPress can integrate optional services for enhanced spam detection. Before using these, we recommend reviewing their terms and privacy policies.

Comparing to Alternatives

Zero Spam for WordPress is a popular anti-spam plugin with several alternatives available that offer different approaches to spam protection.

Top alternatives

Strengths

High effectiveness in reducing spam as reported by multiple users
Responsive and supportive developer engagement
Broad range of functionality and integration capabilities
Free to use with no paid version required
Simple and effective extension according to user feedback

Weaknesses

Intrusive marketing tactics with persistent payment demands
User interface can be cluttered and confusing
Difficulty in performing specific tasks like blocking individual IPs
Has had multiple medium severity security vulnerabilities in the past

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star ratings and a 4.1 overall score, users generally appreciate the plugin's effectiveness and support, though a notable minority express dissatisfaction mainly due to marketing practices and usability issues.

Positive highlights

"I use it for dozens of websites, very useful, I love it!" - matteo raggi
"The plugin seems to be highly effective against combating spam comments, registrations etc. Support team is very fast in replying to support requests." - Eli
"Simple and effective extension" - herecomes
"I am using this plugin on all of my sites and it is really helpful in reducing spam." - Gerard Kanters
"Fighting SPAM is an ongoing struggle... I appreciate it’s capacity to ramp up protection when needed." - Amibe Websites

Common complaints

Intrusive and persistent payment demands despite being free
Plugin interface is cluttered with spammy sales and subscription prompts, making simple tasks difficult

Weaknesses

Past security vulnerabilities including SQL injection and spam protection bypass
Dashboard marketing tactics perceived as hijacking user workspace
Excessive data loading impacting performance
Confusing user interface for managing specific spam controls

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a free, effective anti-spam solution with responsive support and broad functionality for multiple websites.

Not ideal for

Users who prefer a clean, minimal interface without intrusive marketing or those concerned about past security vulnerabilities and complex configuration.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers comprehensive spam protection features suitable for most users without requiring payment.

Final Verdict

Zero Spam for WordPress is a robust and widely used anti-spam plugin that effectively reduces spam with strong user support and a broad feature set. Its free availability makes it accessible, though some users may find the marketing approach intrusive and the interface cluttered.

However, the plugin has a history of medium severity security vulnerabilities that have been addressed in updates. Users should ensure they keep the plugin updated and consider their tolerance for the plugin's marketing style and interface complexity when choosing this solution.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Zero Spam for WordPress plugin.

spam protection

security

firewall

Screenshots

FAQ

Not on its own. Zero Spam for WordPress does not automatically block IP addresses. If a visitor is blocked, it could be due to manual blocking by the site admin or their presence in IP blacklists such as Stop Forum Spam, Project Honeypot, or the Zero Spam.

In the event that a legitimate user is blocked, refer to the Log (Admin > Dashboard > Zero Spam > Log) for further details on the reason behind the block. You have the flexibility to adjust the strictness of the 3rd-party blacklist checks or disable them if your users are prone to being flagged as spam or malicious.

Some hosts have issues with they way they access files. If you’re seeing a ftp_fget PHP notice, setting the FS_METHOD constant to direct in wp-config.php above the line /* That's all, stop editing! Happy Pressing. */ should solve the problem:

define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');

If hosting with Pantheon, see their known issues page for more information and what to do to resolve it with their $_ENV['PANTHEON_ENVIRONMENT'] variable check.