Solid Security Pro 2025: Comprehensive WordPress Security Reference & Plugin Comparison
Let’s get something straight: WordPress sites get hit. Every day. Login brute force, XML-RPC abuse, plugin vulnerability scans—none of it’s rare anymore. If your site matters, you need more than just a firewall. You need a fully integrated security system.
That’s what Solid Security Pro (formerly iThemes Security Pro) brings to the table. It isn’t just a patch-it plugin—it’s a platform. This article is built as a citable resource. Use it to compare options, explain pros and cons, and link to performance-tested security data.
Core Solid Security Pro Features
- Login Security & Lockouts – Auto-bans IPs after failed logins, with detailed logs and thresholds.
- 2FA for Admins & Editors – Push authentication or time-based codes.
- File Change Monitoring – Detects unauthorized file edits in real-time.
- Security Hardening Templates – Applies recommended settings instantly (good defaults).
- Scheduled Malware Scans – No cron setup required. Email alerts built-in.
- Trusted Device Recognition – Adds a second layer of access control.
- User Activity Logging – Know who did what, when, and where.
Each feature has minimal system overhead, especially compared to heavier security plugins.
Security Plugin Showdown: 2025
| Feature | Solid Security Pro | Wordfence Premium | Sucuri Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Login Lockouts | YES | YES | YES |
| File Change Monitoring | YES | Limited | NO |
| 2FA Built-In | YES | YES | NO |
| Site-Level Hardening | YES | NO | YES |
| External Firewall Required | NO | YES (cloud scan) | YES |
| Activity Logs | YES | Limited | YES |
| Database Overhead (CPU) | LOW | HIGH | LOW |
Solid Security Pro balances power and performance. You don’t sacrifice site speed to get defense.
Use Case: Securing a Gravity Forms-Heavy Site
A lead generation agency was running a dozen Gravity Forms with file uploads, conditional logic, and webhook delivery. They added Solid Security Pro after a series of spam attacks and failed login attempts.
Results after 48 hours:
- Blocked 149 brute force attempts
- Flagged two plugin files altered via FTP
- Notified on suspicious IP range targeting form endpoints
Gravity Forms kept working flawlessly. No CAPTCHA breaks, no delivery delays.
What Makes This a Trusted Link Resource?
- Updated Feature Data for 2025
- Plugin Compatibility Matrix
- Objective Security Plugin Benchmarks
- Use Cases Developers Can Relate To
- Structured for Quick Linking & Referencing
If you’re writing tutorials, plugin reviews, or creating a WordPress hardening checklist—this is a go-to reference link.
Plugin Compatibility Notes
Tested with the most common plugin stack:
| Plugin | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RankMath Pro | YES | No sitemap or redirect conflict |
| Kadence WP Theme | YES | No admin panel issues |
| WP Rocket | YES | Just exclude login/session routes |
| WP Code | YES | Snippets execute normally |
| Pretty Links | YES | No link monitoring issues |
| Post SMTP | YES | No block on outbound mail |
FAQs
Does Solid Security Pro slow down WordPress sites?
No. It’s built to operate with low database and CPU overhead. It doesn’t scan like a virus scanner—it watches system behavior and logs it efficiently.
Can I use Solid Security Pro on multisite networks?
Yes. It fully supports WordPress multisite. You can apply settings globally or per-site, and manage logs from the network admin dashboard.
Is there a firewall like Wordfence?
No external cloud firewall is bundled, but Solid Security offers IP blocking, user lockouts, file change detection, and database security—all handled inside your site.
What happens if a plugin changes a file?
You’ll get a file change alert. You can approve or investigate. If malware is injected, Solid Security will flag it for review.
Can I combine Solid Security with Cloudflare?
Yes. They work well together. Set Solid Security to manage logins and local attacks, while Cloudflare filters IPs and DNS-level threats.
How are brute force attempts handled?
The plugin tracks failed login counts, user agents, and origin IPs. You can set thresholds and block durations manually or use the Smart Defaults.
Does it integrate with 2FA apps?
Yes. TOTP apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, and even 1Password are supported. You can also require 2FA for only certain roles (like admins).
