Firewall
Quick Definition
A firewall monitors and filters incoming traffic to your WordPress site, blocking malicious requests like hacking attempts and brute force attacks before they reach your server.
What Is a Firewall?
A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. For WordPress, a WAF filters out malicious requests.
Two types: application-level (Wordfence) and DNS-level (Cloudflare, Sucuri).
Why It Matters
First line of defense. See our firewall plugins and security guide.
Sources: WordPress.org WAF Plugins, Wordfence Security Plugin
Related Terms
MalwareMalware (malicious software) is code designed to damage, steal data from, or gain unauthorized access to your WordPress site. Common types include backdoors, spam injections, redirect hacks, and cryptominers.PluginA plugin is a package of code you install on your WordPress site to add new features or extend existing ones — like adding a contact form, improving SEO, or setting up an online store.SSLSSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the technology that encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors. Today it technically runs on TLS, but everyone still calls the certificate an "SSL certificate."
Related Articles
Best WordPress Firewall Plugins in 2026 (Compared)A web application firewall is your site's first line of defense against hackers, bots, and automated attacks. After testing dozens of firewall solutions over the years, I've narrowed it down to 5 that actually work. Here's how they compare — and which one I recommend for different situations.WordPress Security — The Complete Guide to Protecting Your SiteAfter 20 years of building WordPress sites, I've cleaned up more hacked sites than I care to remember. Most of those hacks were completely preventable. This is everything I know about keeping WordPress secure — no fear-mongering, just practical steps that actually work.