Can WP Ghost be used as a stand-alone security plugin?

Yes, WP Ghost can absolutely be used as a stand-alone security plugin for your WordPress site. It offers a robust set of features that cover a wide range of security needs.

Here are some of the key areas WP Ghost addresses:

Stand-Alone Security Features

  • Path Security: WP Ghost changes and hides critical paths (like common paths, plugin paths, theme paths, login), hiding them from bots looking to exploit known WordPress entry points.
  • 8G Firewall Protection: This firewall blocks harmful traffic before it reaches your site, filtering out malicious IPs, bad bots, and common threats.
  • Header Security: WP Ghost enforces secure headers to prevent various types of attacks, including clickjacking and cross-site scripting.
  • Anti-Spam Blocking: WP Ghost filters and blocks bad bots, minimizing spam and preventing bots from crawling your site unnecessarily. This feature saves bandwidth and reduces server load, improving your site’s performance.
  • Brute Force Protection: By limiting login attempts and blocking suspicious IPs, WP Ghost helps to prevent brute-force attacks, enhancing login security.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of verification to prevent unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised.
  • Country Blocking: Allows you to block access from specific countries, minimizing exposure to known high-risk locations.

When WP Ghost is Stand-Alone

  • Small to Medium Sites: WP Ghost is a solid option for protecting sites without needing additional security plugins. It covers the most common attack vectors.
  • User-Friendly Security: If you prefer a single plugin for security rather than multiple layers of different plugins, WP Ghost is an excellent stand-alone option.

Considerations for Complementing WP Ghost

  • Malware Scanning: WP Ghost doesn’t include deep malware scanning, so you may want to pair it with a tool like Wordfence or Sucuri for malware detection.
  • Advanced DDoS Protection: For high-traffic sites or those facing targeted DDoS attacks, you may want to implement additional server-side protections, such as using Cloudflare.

Overall, WP Ghost is capable of functioning as a stand-alone security solution for many WordPress websites.