Despite emerging technologies, PHP still dominates the web development realm as it is the most widely used language, with about 75% of websites using it on the internet. It powers CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Laravel, amongst others. Just like other techs, PHP also has a multitude of vulnerabilities across its many versions.
This gave rise to PHP firewalls, which help identify potential vulnerabilities and actively protect websites from being exploited.
Importance of PHP Firewall
Prevents Common Vulnerabilities
A PHP firewall helps you safeguard your website against vulnerabilities like Remote Code Execution, session hijacking, etc., by actively monitoring and blocking malicious activity.
Real-Time Threat Detection
A PHP firewall provides continuous monitoring, constantly scanning the traffic for malicious activity and blocking any threats, protecting the website from potential damage.
Defense Against Bots and DDoS Attacks
A PHP firewall is an effective tool for blocking bots and automated scripts. These bots try to exploit weaknesses in the website and even try to execute a DDoS attack. Firewalls can detect and stop these
bots from executing any scripts.
Features of Astra PHP Firewall Plugin
Astra’s Intuitive Dashboard
Astra offers a user-friendly dashboard with detailed vulnerability management. It provides insights like the origin of attacks and device and browser information. It helps block or trust specific IPs or IP Ranges. It provides an admin login summary every hour and also allows whitelisting and blacklisting of URLs.
Blacklist Monitoring by PHP Firewall
Astra’s firewall monitors more than 60 engines daily to check if your site is flagged. The tool sends alerts if any phishing or blacklist warnings are detected, allowing you to take valid action and resolve these issues.
PHP Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Astra’s PHP Firewall provides real-time protection against 100+ vulnerabilities, including XSS, SQLi and Local File Inclusion. It is a robust security engine, powered by the community. It comes with other features like brute force protection, malware scanning and removal, automated vulnerability scanning, malicious bots blocking, Layer 7 DDoS Protection etc.
PHP Malware Scanner & Hack Removal
Astra’s malware scanner looks for hidden issues like SEO spam, credit card or payment page hacks, admin panel hacks, and defaced websites. It also helps with Backdoor removal, securing databases from attackers, and protecting sensitive and personal data.
PHP Penetration Testing
Astra’s firewall also provides manual and automated PHP security audits, along with static and dynamic code analysis. It generates an in-depth map of your web application, along with test cases created by the experts.
Astra performs comprehensive testing based on standards like OWASP and SANS, covering more than 80+ vulnerabilities, such as broken authentication or payment gateway issues.
24/7 Human Support
Astra’s support team provides round-the-clock human support via chat or email. Astra’s experts go the extra mile to protect your website and resolve security issues.
Community Security
Astra encourages ethical hackers to report vulnerabilities in your website. Astra’s security experts will validate these, and only valid submissions will be sent to you. Under this program, these ethical hackers do not publicize any of these issues, and all issues are handled discretely.
Astra’s Security Seal
Astra displays a security seal sign on your website, ensuring your users that you take security seriously. This helps boost customer confidence, reduce cart abandonment, and increase conversion rates.
Pricing: Astra PHP Firewall & Hack Removal Plugin
All these features by Astra can be availed by paying within budget. It basically has three plans: essential, pro, and business.
The pricing structure is another good thing about Astra. Its plans start as low as
- $79/month billed annually for the pro plan,
- $999/month billed annually for the advanced plan and
- $2999/month billed annually for the business plan.
Check the full information about the plans here.
Other perks of using Astra
Authority
Astra’s seal helps build trust among prospective and current customers. Your company will have fewer shopping cart abandonments and an increased conversion rate. This is further corroborated by the fact that businesses with Astra’s security seal reported experiencing a 9.7% increase in their sales.
Productivity
We want you to focus on your business while we take care of the rest. With Astra, your business experiences fewer glitches and, hence, improved fluency.
Final Thoughts
PHP is a powerful and widely used language, making it a great target for attackers. The Astra PHP Firewall and Hack Removal plugin provides security to PHP-powered websites.
Its highlighted features include real-time detection, malware scanning, and 24/7 support. It ensures complete security and helps you operate your business efficiently.