WordPress Security Review – Protect Your Devices

WordPress security is hotly debated! Is it good? Bad? Do you need a security plugin? Should you worry about your hosting? At the end are some articles to answer the most asked questions that we get but today we are going to discuss something that is often forgotten – protecting your devices!

Which Devices need Anti-Virus?

When a device logs into your website (WordPress or otherwise), it is opening a communication channel between your device and your website. If your device is infected or vulnerable, that means your website is now more vulnerable too. So protecting every device that logs into your website is paramount. Actually – there is one more layer to be aware of: the router or wi-fi network.

If you or your VA are using a wireless network (wi-fi) at home or a coffee shop, then everyone else who uses that router also has a tiny bit of access to your data – that is why Windows will ask you if the wi-fi is public or private? Always mark it public if you are in a public place and using a non-home wi-fi connection.

So let’s pretend you’re at home, and you’re using your home wi-fi. How many devices are connected to your wi-fi? THAT is the number of computers/ laptops/ phones/ watches /cars /fridges /etc that need to be protected. So we will look at the number of devices that are protected under a single subscription – as well as if the wi-fi router itself is protected.

Anti-Virus Features for Comparison

In 2025, we are looking for the past protections and also identity theft. There are three things that go into identity theft detection, remediation and protection:

1. a scanner that looks in the dark web for pieces of your personal information that should not be find-able.
2. remediation assistance to remove any personal information
3. insurance in case it happens

Identity theft is also covered by some commercial general liability policies and home/ personal property policies -check with your broker.

So we will compare and contrast the top Anti-virus contenders for content creators, that provide the following features:

• multi-device coverage
• wi-fi management/protection
• identity theft scanning/protection
• malware detection & removal (real time)
• malware detection & removal (per scan)
• cost per year

We are NOT looking at ease of use – all of these programs are easy to install – and if you get stuck, they offer support via chat, phone and email to assist. It is in their best interest to help you use and keep using their programs!

* we are not affiliates of any of these programs

Norton 360 with LifeLock

Norton 360 with LifeLock subscription is $189/year

• Device Coverage: Norton 360 Premium provides protection for up to 10 devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets. ​
• Identity Theft Protection: LifeLock identity theft protection includes Stolen Wallet Protection, Credit Monitoring Coverage, and the LifeLock Identity Alert System. Plus, get up to $25k in Stolen Funds Reimbursement and up to $1 million in coverage for Lawyers and Experts, if needed, to help restore your identity.
• Wi Fi Protection: Features a Smart Firewall that monitors communications between your computer and other computers, helping to block unauthorized traffic.
• Malware Detection and Removal: Provides real-time threat protection with advanced security to help protect against existing and emerging online threats to your devices.
• More: They also contain password keeper, and family / parent controls that are very helpful (highly recommend you use these from somewhere! My router / internet service provider offers parental supervision app, included).

Notes: Norton has been the standard for many years. Be prepared for aggressive marketing.

Cons of Norton 360

The downside of Norton Antivirus 360 with LifeLock is that once installed they are tricky to get rid of. The popups and constant selling is tiring! They will constantly try to sell you clean up and maintenance services – going so far as saying that you ‘may be WATCHED’… Honestly -we all may be watched.

BitDefender Total Security

BitDefender Security for Creators is $130/year.

• Device Coverage: Bitdefender Security for Creators offers protection for up to 15 devices and 1 YouTube channel.
• Identity Theft Protection: None (does protect YouTube though)
• Wi Fi Protection: Includes a Network Threat Prevention feature that aims to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities in your system.​
• Malware Detection and Removal: Utilizes advanced threat defense mechanisms to detect and remove malware across all platforms.
• More: We’re excited to announce that very soon, we’ll be expanding our hacking prevention to include Instagram and TikTok. The best part? This expansion comes at no extra cost to you. (source)

Bitdefender gets top ratings for malware detection and the lack of performance issues. (Yes, performance issues can be a thing with these programs.)

Cons of BitDefender

There aren’t any that I could find – except it does NOT include identity theft detection or protection.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection(premium) is $150/year for unlimited devices.

• Device Coverage: McAfee Total Protection’s Premium plan offers real time protection for an unlimited number of devices, the only one we reviewed that offers unlimited devices
• Identity Theft Protection: scanning and alerts (for 2 million insurance & more, checkout McAfee Ultimate at $280/yr)
• Wi Fi Protection: Features a home network security system designed to protect against threats targeting your network and connected devices.​
• Malware Detection and Removal: Provides comprehensive malware protection to detect and remove threats across all devices. It is rated the fastest / least lagging software available for real-time protection.
• More: Monitors and alerts to scam text messages.

Provides an ‘old account’ clean up and scan to remove old emails and accounts that still hold your personal information.

Cons of McAfee

Getting rid of this from your devices is a pain in the tush – and they try to scare you into buying more and more services – see Norton 360 for similar tactics.

ESET Home Security Ultimate

ESET Ultimate offers a per-device model. We priced 10 devices at $204.00/year

• Device Coverage: real time protection for 10 devices, including smart devices and IoT devices.
• Identity Theft Protection: monitors dark web for your personal information, social media accounts and passwords; offers identity recovery and $1million insurance.
• Wi Fi Protection: Filter unwanted content, secure access to your network and test your home router for malware.
• Malware Detection and Removal: Includes virus protection, as well as ransomware, malware, spyware, phishing and more
• More: monitors and strips sensitive data from uploads and photos

Best pro-active Identity Protection that I could find. And I love their UX – this will be my next purchase.

Cons of ESET

The only ‘con’ is likely the price. On the plus side, you only pay for the devices you use, and you can pay for more than one year and decrease the price.

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