Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin
by SiteGround · Security
Also makes 4 other plugins · 3.1M+ installs across the portfolio →
Secure your WordPress site from brute-force attacks, threats, malware, and bots. Free to use and easy to set up.
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 86/100
no flags
Active installs
1M+
≈1.7M estimated
Momentum
-30%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “login” and “firewall” for “security plugin” and “wordpress security”. “login” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “security plugin” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “firewall” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #16. “wordpress security” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
86 health vs 66 average across 1,776 Security plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.5%
of downloads still active
At least 1M of 40.1M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Security plugin keeps 1.4%, across 1,061 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
Recent review vibe
read from the latest 12 reviews to 2026-06-07Most reviewers call it simple and reliable to set up, but a steady minority report compatibility clashes with plugins like Elementor, TranslatePress and PayPal, plus a repeatedly popping data-consent request some find pushy.
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 19 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.5★ over 157 reviews, smoothed to 4.40★
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.
53
Momentum
Holding steady
+1.2
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
47%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+0.3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| protection | #1 | #1 | up 4 |
| threats | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| website protection | #1 | #1 | up 2 |
| page protection | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| optimizer | #3 | #4 | up 1 |
| admin protection | #2 | #3 | up 1 |
| threat | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| hack | #2 | #4 | 0 |
| xss | #2 | #3 | up 1 |
| website security | #3 | #5 | up 2 |
| all in one | #5 | #7 | up 3 |
| email protection | #3 | #4 | up 1 |
| security your tag | #5 | #8 | up 2 |
| bot protection | #3 | #4 | up 1 |
| web application firewall your tag | #5 | #7 | 0 |
| exploit | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| best wordpress security plugin | #2 | #3 | 0 |
| security plugin | #4 | #7 | 0 |
| wordpress security | #4 | #7 | up 5 |
| malware scanner your tag | #7 | #8 | up 1 |
| login your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
693 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 596 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 1 of its tags isn't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “login” and “firewall” for “security plugin” and “wordpress security”. “login” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “security plugin” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “firewall” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #16. “wordpress security” 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”. #16 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 2.9M · 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
19d ago
latest release · v1.6.9 · 14 Oct 2026
18
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 94% 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 “1M+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 9 months ago; a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, which places it about 73% of the way through.
Install history since 16 Oct 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ aikotimmer5mo ago
easy to use
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Paul Coughlin6mo ago
As a long time user of StiteGround this is always loaded as standard.. Also very pleased to hear it works excellently on a Hostinger VPS I use for testing. Excellent plugin.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ sahara88mo ago
Installed it to improve my site security. The interface is simple, and most features work well. Had to tweak a few settings, but nothing complicated. Overall, pretty useful plugin. tnx devs. This topic was modified 4 months, 1 week ago by sahara8.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Apple.WP-Dev9mo ago
This plugin seems to be designed for SiteGround hosting only. I am using SiteGround, and the plugin works well except for the file whitelisting feature. I applied the sgs_whitelist_wp_content custom filter from the SiteGround documentation; while it resolved the Apache error, the file is still being blocked. This is a known issue for myself and others, specifically regarding the TranslatePress trp-ajax.php file. This topic was modified 5 months, 2 weeks ago by Apple.WP-Dev.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ dongermibbs10mo ago
This plugin has caused nothing but endless problems. It clashes with Elementor and Papal payment plugins. Of course, all Siteground do is blame the other companies, as if their plugin is perfect. Worst of all it repeatedly asks you to consent to sending data to Siteground. There is no refusal box. So the box pops up every time you choose a different menu selection. It is a cynical attempt to get you tick the box, and allow them to abuse your data, to make it go away. I intend to report Siteground to the ICO for this invasive demand. This topic was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by dongermibbs.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ alaidlaw10mo ago
Excellent easy to follow info
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ solucionespirita1.0y ago
fulfills its purpose completely, very good
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ deniz151.0y ago
Pretty simple and light weight
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 1.6.5 Release Date Jul 9th, 2026 Security improvements Dashboard visuals improvements 1.6.5
- — Version 1.6.4 Release Date Jul 1st, 2026 Security improvements 1.6.4
- — Version 1.6.3 Release Date Jun 22th, 2026 Version bump 1.6.3
- — Version 1.6.2 Release Date May 7th, 2026 2FA improvements Activity Log improvements Weekly Email Reports improvements 1.6.2
- — Version 1.6.1 Release Date May 5th, 2026 Email Service improvements 1.6.1
- — Version 1.6.0 Release Date Mar 30th, 2026 Security improvements Activity Log improvements Third-party plugin compatibility improvements 1.6.0
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 7 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (1.6.9). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 5.3 Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection <= 1.6.4 - IP Allowlist Bypass ↗
- 2023-01-13 CVE-2023-0234 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command Affects <= 1.3.0 Patched in 1.3.1
- 2022-04-06 CVE-2022-0992 Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Affects <= 1.2.5 Patched in 1.2.6
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.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 21 languages, 13 at 90% or more
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 Security Optimizer when asked about these topics, where it comes in the answer, and how that compares with its wp.org search position. Latest run 1 Nov 2026.
Readme readiness
3 of 8 pass · checked 31 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Secure your WordPress site from brute-force attacks, threats, malware, and bots. Free to use and easy to se..."
- ! Has a FAQ No FAQ section.
- ! FAQ asks real questions No FAQ to judge.
- ! Names who it is for Never says who the plugin is for or what they use it for.
- ! Names what it works with Names no plugin, service or platform it works with.
- ✓ Headings and lists 26 headings and 2 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 7,527 characters of description.
- ! Tags match the text Only 2 of 5 tags appear in the text ("firewall", "malware scanner", "web application firewall" missing).
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-02-08 900K+ → 1M+ up after 45 days in tier
- 2025-12-25 1M+ → 900K+ down after 1 days in tier
- 2025-12-24 900K+ → 1M+ up after 4 days in tier
- 2025-12-20 1M+ → 900K+ down after 7 days in tier
- 2025-12-13 900K+ → 1M+ up after 1 days in tier
- 2025-12-12 1M+ → 900K+ down after 2 days in tier
- 2025-12-10 900K+ → 1M+ up after 10 days in tier
- 2025-11-30 1M+ → 900K+ down after 71 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).
-
RSFirewall! 4K+ installs · 4.2★ · 4 shared tags A -
BBQ Firewall – Fast & Powerful Firewall Security 100K+ installs · 4.9★ · 3 shared tags A -
Hide My WP Ghost – Security & Firewall 100K+ installs · 4.5★ · 3 shared tags A -
Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall 80K+ installs · 4.8★ · 3 shared tags A -
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ installs · 4.7★ · 3 shared tags A -
BulletProof Security 20K+ installs · 4.8★ · 3 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/sg-security" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin: 1M+ active installs, 4.5★ (157 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-02. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/sg-security
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