Hercules Recaptcha vs SecurelyWP – all-in-one security

Hercules Recaptcha uses the latest Google Recaptcha API to more accurately determine if users are bots or not. If the user is not logged in it will display a Recaptcha for the user to fill out in the comment form. If the user disables javascript and is not logged in then comments will fail to submit. The Recaptcha is also added to the registration page for both multisite setups and single blogs. There are options for having it show up on comments and/or the registration page, as well as options for its position on the comment form, and which style (Google gives only two options, dark or light).

SecurelyWP is a hassle-free security plugin that makes your WordPress site safer the moment you activate it. Most features work out of the box, with optional CAPTCHA and two-factor authentication (2FA) configuration for enhanced protection. It includes strong security features, system details, security headers, CAPTCHA integration, and 2FA to keep your site secure and healthy. Why Choose SecurelyWP? Works Out of the Box: Most security features activate automatically upon installation. Comprehensive Protection: Guards against hacking, malicious files, form spam, and unauthorized access. Lightweight: Designed to run smoothly without affecting your site’s speed or performance. Free Features: Includes system details, security headers, CAPTCHA, and 2FA to monitor and protect your site. Features Malware Scanner & File Integrity Monitoring Why: Detects unauthorized file changes and known malware signatures in your WordPress installation. Impact: Early warning system for compromised files—lightweight, no performance hit. Activity Logging Why: Tracks user logins, failed attempts, content changes, and plugin/theme activity. Impact: Full visibility into who did what and when—critical for forensic analysis. Vulnerability Scanner Why: Checks for outdated plugins/themes, weak file permissions, and known security misconfigurations. Impact: Proactive identification of risks before attackers exploit them. Advanced Firewall with Geo-Blocking Why: Blocks malicious requests, bot traffic, and access from specific countries. Impact: Reduces attack surface with minimal configuration—smart default rules. Hide WordPress Version Why: Stops hackers from targeting weaknesses in your WordPress version. Impact: Good protection with no effect on your site’s appearance. Disable PHP Execution in Uploads Folder Why: Prevents harmful scripts from running if someone uploads a malicious file. Impact: Strong defense against file-based attacks. Prevent User Enumeration Why: Blocks hackers from guessing usernames through sneaky methods. Impact: Keeps your user list safe from prying eyes. Detect & Warn About “admin” Username Why: Alerts you if your site uses the risky “admin” username. Impact: Big security boost if you change the username. Disable File Editing in Dashboard Why: Stops anyone from modifying your site’s code through the WordPress dashboard. Impact: Major safeguard against unauthorized code changes. Force HTTPS for Login & Admin Why: Ensures your login and admin pages use a secure connection. Impact: Critical for keeping your credentials safe. Basic Brute Force Protection (Lite) Why: Temporarily blocks repeated failed login attempts. Impact: Strong protection against login attacks. Firewall Geo-Blocking Why: Block visitors from specific countries to reduce attack surface. Impact: Strong protection against geographic-based attacks with minimal performance impact. Enhanced Bot Detection Why: Identify and block automated scrapers, headless browsers, and vulnerability scanners. Impact: Reduces automated attacks and server load. Malware Scanner & File Integrity Monitor Why: Detect suspicious code patterns in plugins, themes, and uploads; verify WordPress core files against official checksums. Impact: Early detection of compromised files and supply-chain attacks. User Activity Log Why: Track logins (success/failed), content changes, and plugin activations. Impact: Forensic visibility for incident response and compliance. Vulnerability & Permissions Audit Why: Check critical file permissions and flag outdated core/plugins/themes. Impact: Proactive hardening and compliance hygiene. System Details Why: Shows important info about your site to monitor its health. Impact: Keeps you informed about your site’s status. Security Headers Why: Adds HTTP headers to improve your site’s security. Impact: Strengthens your site’s defense with minimal setup. CAPTCHA Protection (Cloudflare Turnstile) Why: Adds CAPTCHA to prevent spam and bot submissions. Impact: Enhances form security with user-friendly CAPTCHA. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Why: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step during login. Impact: Significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. 2FA Features: – Authenticator App (TOTP): Use apps like Google Authenticator or Authy for time-based codes. – Email 2FA: Receive codes via email for verification. – Recovery Codes: Generate emergency codes for access if other methods are unavailable. – Per-User Settings: Each user can configure their own 2FA preferences. – Multisite Support: Super admins can enforce 2FA network-wide. – Flexible Options: Choose primary 2FA method from TOTP, Email 2FA, or Recovery Codes. Supported Forms, Plugins & Multisite for CAPTCHA: – Core WordPress: Login, Registration, Lost Password, Comment – E-commerce & Membership: WooCommerce Checkout, MemberPress, Ultimate Member, WP-Members – Form Plugins: WPForms, Gravity Forms, Contact Form 7 (CF7), Formidable Forms, Forminator, Elementor Pro, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), Mailchimp for WordPress – Community / Forums: BuddyPress, bbPress – Multisite: Multisite Signup Forms How to Set Up CAPTCHA with Cloudflare Turnstile Sign Up for Cloudflare: Go to https://www.cloudflare.com/ and create a free account or log in. Add Your Site: Click “Add a Site” in the dashboard and enter your domain. Access Turnstile: Navigate to the “Turnstile” section in the Cloudflare dashboard. Create a Turnstile Widget: Click “Add Widget” Provide a name (e.g., “SecurelyWP CAPTCHA”) Add Hostnames (your domain, e.g., example.com) → Click “Add” Choose the widget type (“Managed”) Get Your Keys: Copy the Site Key and Secret Key. Add Keys to SecurelyWP: Go to SecurelyWP > CAPTCHA Settings in WordPress → paste keys → enable CAPTCHA for desired forms. Test Your CAPTCHA: Visit a form to ensure the CAPTCHA widget appears and works correctly. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication Access 2FA Settings: Go to “Profile” > “Two-Factor Authentication” in your WordPress dashboard. Enable 2FA Methods: Authenticator App: Scan the QR code or enter the secret into your app (Google Authenticator, Authy). Verify with a code. Email 2FA: Enable to receive codes via email. Recovery Codes: Generate emergency codes. Copy or download codes for safekeeping. Choose Primary Method: Select your preferred 2FA method (Authenticator App, Email, or Recovery Codes). Test 2FA: Log out and log in to verify the 2FA prompt appears below the login form. Multisite (Super Admins): Enable network-wide 2FA enforcement for all users.