Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall
by WPMU DEV - Your All-in-One WordPress Platform · Security
Also makes 8 other plugins · 2.4M+ installs across the portfolio →
WordPress security plugin with malware scanner, IP blocking, audit logs, antivirus scans, firewall, 2FA, brute force login security, and more.
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.
Health
A 88/100
no flags
Active installs
80K+
≈88K estimated
Momentum
+7%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “firewall” for “ip blocking”. “firewall” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “ip blocking” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
88 health vs 66 average across 1,776 Security plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →1.8%
of downloads still active
At least 80K of 4.4M lifetime downloads are still running, above 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 18 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
Recent review vibe
read from the latest 12 reviews to 2026-07-05Reviewers are happy, calling it effective and light on resources at the free tier and good value on Pro, with one report of a 5.10.0 conflict pushing Elementor Pro into safe mode and one complaint about nag notices outside the plugin.
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
Well tuned across the board
Updated 33 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.8★ over 334 reviews, smoothed to 4.71★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
4 of 4 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
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.
40
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.1
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
25%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.5
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| defender | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| antibot | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| antivirus | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| malware scanner your tag | #4 | #3 | up 2 |
| ip blocking | #4 | #3 | up 3 |
| login security your tag | #5 | #5 | up 4 |
| malware your tag | #5 | #4 | up 5 |
| scanner | #5 | #3 | up 2 |
| hardening | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| security audit | #4 | #4 | 0 |
| malware scan | #4 | #3 | up 1 |
| security your tag | #8 | #7 | 0 |
| wordpress security plugin | #7 | #7 | 0 |
| security plugin | #7 | #8 | up 6 |
| threat | #5 | #4 | 0 |
| wordpress security | #8 | #8 | up 5 |
| web security | #6 | #5 | 0 |
| malware detection | #6 | #4 | up 5 |
| security scanner | #6 | #4 | up 1 |
| vulnerability scanner | #6 | #4 | up 6 |
488 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 402 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words).
What to do about it
- Swap “firewall” for “ip blocking”. “firewall” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “ip blocking” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- One page off on “firewall”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 173.8K · 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.
18
releases in the last 12 months
1mo ago
latest release · v6.3.0 · 29 Sep 2026
140
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin. 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 “80K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 5 months ago and the previous band took 2.6 years to cross, so the real count is still just under 90K.
Install history since 5 Nov 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ anker134mo ago
Gute Lösung, hat Sachen gefunden, die andere Security Tools nicht fanden.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Nigel Parry6mo ago
Does the job even at the free level. The premium obviously offers a more comprehensive set of options. Be sure to use backup software before letting security plugins do anything. They can often delete stuff you don’t want deleted. I use Updraft Plus. Even the free version allows you to install a clean WP, then the Updraft Plus plugin, then restore the whole site. Three steps.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ zebracrossing6mo ago
I use it in all the sites that I make,
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ maca82917mo ago
Best security plugin ever! I buy pro version after few test with free version! Excelent lightweight plugin! I uninstall Wordfence and i use now only this plugin! Price for Pro version is awesome and low – thanks alot. Wordfence is expensive! 🙂 This topic was modified 3 months ago by maca8291.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ ivanhomecom8mo ago
Excellent app I recoment
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Mykola Kolos8mo ago
After updating to version 5.10.0, it conflicts with Elementor Pro version 3.35.7It causes it to switch to safe mode.Disabling the plugin resolved the issue.The plugin handles security tasks well.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ lwloingo8mo ago
Many attacks have been repelled, and you are well informed about the measures necessary to maintain protection.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ rohitsinghvi20068mo ago
If defender is with you you dont need to worry about your website.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- 2026-09-22 Version 6.3.0 Enhancement: Update malware signatures Enhancement: Make Scan settings uneditable while scanning is in progress Enhancement: Upgrade node packages Enhancement: Display country name tooltip on country flag hover in Firewa 6.3.0
- 2026-09-01 Version 6.2.4 Fix: Username does not appear in some Audit Log events Fix: Audit module stores un-interpolated {{user_login}} in some logs Fix: Minor improvements in vulnerability detection 6.2.4
- 2026-08-31 Version 6.2.3 Enhancement: Improved Audit Log UI across Dashboard and Audit Log pages Enhancement: Added a “Save your API keys to load” preview state for Bot Protection CAPTCHA settings Enhancement: Updated the event type label in the 6.2.3
- 2026-08-24 Version 6.2.2 Fix: Streamlined schema method by removing bootstrap trait 6.2.2
- 2026-08-20 Version 6.2.1 Fix: 2FA > Web Authentication method binds credential verification to the target user (props: Tai) 6.2.1
- 2026-08-18 Version 6.2.0 New: Audit Log for Free Hub and WP.org users Enhancement: Compatibility with WordPress 7.1 Enhancement: Replace PHP-DI third-party package with custom lightweight DI Container Enhancement: Display the Audit Log Storage r 6.2.0
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 8 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (6.3.0). Sites still on an older version should update.
- 2023-12-27 CVE-2023-51490 Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File Affects <= 4.1.0 Patched in 4.2.0
- 2022-11-23 CVE-2022-44581 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects <= 3.3.2 Patched in 3.3.3
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 7.0.1
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 26 languages, 0 at 90% or more
Plus 2 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 Defender 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 28 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 11 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 11 of 11 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for One audience phrase ("built for"); say who the plugin is for and what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, BuddyPress.
- ✓ Headings and lists 12 headings and 10 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 10,689 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text All 5 tags appear in the text.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-05-22 90K+ → 80K+ down after 952 days in tier
- 2023-10-13 80K+ → 90K+ up after 3 days in tier
- 2023-10-10 90K+ → 80K+ down after 94 days in tier
- 2023-07-08 80K+ → 90K+ up after 199 days in tier
- 2022-12-21 70K+ → 80K+ up after 228 days in tier
- 2022-05-07 60K+ → 70K+ up after 215 days in tier
- 2021-10-04 50K+ → 60K+ up after 217 days in tier
- 2021-03-01 40K+ → 50K+ up after 110 days in tier
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).
-
BulletProof Security 20K+ installs · 4.8★ · 4 shared tags A -
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ installs · 4.7★ · 3 shared tags A -
Limit Login Attempts Security – Login Security, 2FA, Firewall, Brute Force Prevention 1M+ installs · 4.8★ · 3 shared tags A -
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ installs · 4.5★ · 3 shared tags A -
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ installs · 4.7★ · 3 shared tags A -
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/defender-security" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall: 80K+ active installs, 4.8★ (334 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/defender-security
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