Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection
by Nexcess · Security
Also makes 23 other plugins · 2.6M+ installs across the portfolio →
Harden your site security with Login Security, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Vulnerability Scanner, Firewall, and more. Formerly iThemes Security.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
M WP Mayor reviewed this plugin iThemes Security: Secure Your WordPress Site and Get on with Your Life Read review ↗Health
B 83/100
no flags
Active installs
700K+
≈750K estimated
Momentum
+102%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “malware” for “force”. “malware” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #18. “force” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
83 health vs 66 average across 1,777 Security plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →1.7%
of downloads still active
At least 700K of 40.2M lifetime downloads are still running, in line with its category: the median Security plugin keeps 1.4%, across 1,060 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Security plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 12 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 18 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.6★ over 3,992 reviews, smoothed to 4.59★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
3 of 12 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
To rank higher: Mark more forum threads resolved — the resolved ratio feeds the ranking.
Get the full rank-higher report →Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
39
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.1
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
24%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.8
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| brute force protection your tag | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| harden | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| ithemes | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| cyber security | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| brute | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| brute force | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| password protection your tag | #2 | #2 | down 1 |
| protection | #3 | #3 | down 1 |
| authentication | #3 | #3 | down 1 |
| two factor authentication your tag | #3 | #3 | down 2 |
| kadence | #3 | #2 | down 1 |
| two factor | #4 | #3 | down 1 |
| force | #4 | #3 | down 2 |
| vulnerability | #4 | #4 | 0 |
| vulnerability scanner | #4 | #3 | 0 |
| password | #5 | #5 | down 2 |
| two step authentication | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| force password change | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| force password | #2 | #2 | — |
| vulnerabilities | #4 | #4 | 0 |
659 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 550 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words).
What to do about it
- Swap “malware” for “force”. “malware” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #18. “force” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 1.2M · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
12
releases in the last 12 months
18d ago
latest release · v10.0.6 · 14 Oct 2026
97
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 48% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “700K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 9 months ago; the previous band took 19 months to cross, which places it about 54% of the way through.
Install history since 1 Nov 2021
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 10.0.2 Bug Fix: Handle WP_Error in login interstitial session creation to prevent fatal errors. 10.0.2
- — Version 10.0.1 Bug Fix: Race condition in file write could empty wp-config.php/.htaccess files. 10.0.1
- — Version 10.0.0 Tweak: Updated branding from SolidWP to Kadence. New: QR code for 2FA is generated locally by default (the GD PHP extension is required), with a Kadence Security-hosted solution as a fallback. 10.0.0
- — Version 9.4.7 Bug Fix: Prevent email retry loops by ensuring the scheduled notification properties are saved. 9.4.7
- — Version 9.4.6 Enhancement: Update Patchstack details for existing vulnerabilities. 9.4.6
- — Version 9.4.5 Tweak: Ensure generated Nginx config rules are valid for customized directory structures. 9.4.5
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 19 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (10.0.6). Sites still on an older version should update.
- 2023-10-31 Protection Mechanism Failure Affects <= 9.0.0 Patched in 9.0.1
- Patched Medium · 5.3 iThemes Security < 7.9.1 and iThemes Security Pro < 6.8.4 - Hidden Login Bypass ↗2021-04-22 Protection Mechanism Failure Affects < 7.9.1 Patched in 7.9.1
- 2018-06-25 CVE-2018-12636 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects < 7.0.3 Patched in 7.0.3
- 2018-03-05 CVE-2018-7433 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 6.9.0 Patched in 6.9.1
- 2016-10-06 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 5.6.2 Patched in 5.6.2
- 2016-09-27 Observable Response Discrepancy Affects <= 5.6.1 Patched in 5.6.2
- 2016-04-25 Improper Access Control Affects < 5.3.6 Patched in 5.3.6
- 2016-04-21 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects < 5.3.1 Patched in 5.3.1
- 2016-04-05 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 5.3.5 Patched in 5.3.5
- 2015-04-14 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 4.6.13 Patched in 4.6.13
- 2014-08-01 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.5.3 Patched in 3.5.4
- 2014-08-01 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 3.6.4 Patched in 3.6.4
- 2014-08-01 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.6.3 Patched in 3.6.4
- 2012-08-20 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 3.4.4 Patched in 3.4.4
- 2012-05-11 CVE-2012-4263 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects < 3.2.5 Patched in 3.2.5
- 2012-05-11 CVE-2012-4264 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 3.2.4 Patched in 3.2.5
Vulnerability records provided by Wordfence Intelligence. Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc. License and terms.
CVE records: Copyright 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE terms of use.
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 7.0
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 53 languages, 15 at 90% or more
Plus 29 more locales with partial translations.
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Share of voice
How often each assistant names Kadence Security when asked about this topic, where it comes in the answer, and how that compares with its wp.org search position. Latest run 1 Nov 2026.
- Assistants
- ChatGPT, Claude
- Topics tracked
- Security
Readme readiness
6 of 8 pass · checked 25 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ! Says what it does Short description names no action; say what the plugin does for the site.
- ✓ Has a FAQ 5 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 5 of 5 read like questions a user would type.
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("who want", "essential for", "if you have").
- ! Names what it works with Names no plugin, service or platform it works with.
- ✓ Headings and lists 15 headings and 7 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 11,102 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 4 of 5 tags appear in the text; "password protection" does not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-02-15 800K+ → 700K+ down after 562 days in tier
- 2024-08-02 900K+ → 800K+ down after 423 days in tier
- 2023-06-06 1M+ → 900K+ down after 978 days in tier
- 2020-10-01 900K+ → 1M+ up after 944 days in tier
- 2018-03-02 800K+ → 900K+ up after 547 days in tier
- 2016-09-01 700K+ → 800K+ up after 305 days in tier
- 2015-11-01 600K+ → 700K+ up
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Titan Anti-spam & Security – Brute Force Protection, 2FA & Spam Filter 50K+ installs · 4.4★ · 3 shared tags A -
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags A -
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags A -
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags A -
Jetpack Protect 100K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags A -
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall 100K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/better-wp-security" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection: 700K+ active installs, 4.6★ (3,992 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/better-wp-security
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