WP Security Headers & Hardening

Apply security headers, disable XML-RPC selectively, and harden login without breaking Jetpack. Practical defaults for real WordPress sites — not a scare-ware “security score” gimmick.

Category: Security Free + Pro Pro $15/mo Rating 4.8 · 86 reviews

What this product does

Modern browsers and scanners expect HTTP security headers. WordPress installs often ship with none — and XML-RPC remains a common abuse surface when left wide open.

This plugin helps you ship a sensible baseline: headers such as X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, Referrer-Policy, and related hardening controls, plus a selective XML-RPC toggle and basic login rate limiting.

Who it is for

  • Site owners who want headers without writing server config by hand
  • Teams using Jetpack / remote clients that still need limited XML-RPC paths
  • Agencies standardizing hardening across Melbourne and New Mexico client sites

Free vs Pro (accurate matrix)

Free includes

  • Basic security headers — practical defaults you can enable from wp-admin
  • XML-RPC toggle — selective control instead of a blind hard-cut
  • Login rate limit — slow down credential stuffing attempts

Pro — $15/month

  • CSP builder — Content-Security-Policy with safer iteration
  • IP allowlists — lock sensitive routes for operators
  • WAF-ready rulesets — patterns you can align with host WAF layers
  • Audit log — who changed what and when

Install

  1. Get the Free ZIP from /free-plugins/.
  2. Upload via Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin.
  3. Activate, then open the hardening screen.
  4. Enable basic headers on staging first; confirm the front-end and wp-admin still behave.
  5. Only then adjust XML-RPC and login limits on production.

XML-RPC without breaking Jetpack

A total XML-RPC shutdown can break Jetpack features and some mobile/publishing apps. Prefer selective blocking (abuse methods / anonymous pingbacks) over “turn everything off forever” unless you have verified no legitimate client needs it.

Deep dive guide: Safely disable XML-RPC without breaking Jetpack.

Headers checklist (baseline)

  • Clickjacking protection (X-Frame-Options / frame-ancestors in CSP on Pro)
  • MIME sniffing protection (X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff)
  • Referrer policy tuned for privacy without breaking analytics
  • Optional HSTS only when HTTPS is correctly configured end-to-end

Server-level companions: .htaccess Builder.

What it does not do

  • It is not a full malware scanner or managed WAF service.
  • It does not replace strong passwords, 2FA, or hosting firewalls.
  • For custom security product UX or enterprise rules, use Plugin & UI/UX Engineering.

FAQ

Can CSP break my theme?

Yes if you ship a strict policy too early. Pro’s CSP builder is meant for staged tightening — start report-only / permissive, then harden.

Pro pricing

$15 per month. Upgrade via /#quote.