Title: free version is useless.
Last modified: September 3, 2016

---

# free version is useless.

 *  [wideworthy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ifaheem/)
 * (@ifaheem)
 * [11 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/free-version-is-useless-9/)
 * I trusted them and my site was hacked successfully by some hackers. BlackHeart
   using a fake google bot.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  [barnez](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pidengmor/)
 * (@pidengmor)
 * [11 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/free-version-is-useless-9/#post-7987310)
 * No system can be 100% secure, and installing a security plugin such as Wordfence
   should only represent **one strand of your security policy**, which should also
   include:
    - keeping you local computer secure
    - enforcing strong unique passwords that are regularly updated and securely 
      stored
    - using a responsible host
    - understanding the inherent risks of shared hosting
    - using well-maintained and well-coded plugins/themes
    - updating all themes/plugins/core in a timely manner
    - ensuring FTP connections are encrypted
    - reviewing all file/folder permissions
    - leveraging the `.htaccess` file
    - disabling file editing in the WP dashboard
    - taking regular backups
    - monitoring your installation for changes
 * Even by implementing the above sometimes hacks will still occur, and in this 
   case having a good backup will allow for a clean restore, while being able to
   monitor file changes and logs will help you to understand the attack vector.
 * Really, any installation is only as secure as the weakest link.
 * **Useful links**
    [http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress](http://codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress)
   [http://wpsecure.net/secure-wordpress-advanced/](http://wpsecure.net/secure-wordpress-advanced/)
   [https://moz.com/blog/the-definitive-guide-to-wordpress-security](https://moz.com/blog/the-definitive-guide-to-wordpress-security)
 * Good luck!
 *  [CurviGurvi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/curvigurvi/)
 * (@curvigurvi)
 * [10 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/free-version-is-useless-9/#post-7987329)
 * barnez, I am impressed with the information you share, the way you explain the
   issues, additional links with pertinent information, ending with the knowledge
   that we are responsible ourselves.
    Kuddos

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

The topic ‘free version is useless.’ is closed to new replies.

 * ![](https://ps.w.org/wordfence/assets/icon.svg?rev=2070865)
 * [Wordfence Security - Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wordfence/reviews/)

 * 2 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [CurviGurvi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/curvigurvi/)
 * Last activity: [10 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/free-version-is-useless-9/#post-7987329)