Stop User Enumeration

Stop User Enumeration is a WordPress Security plugin that protects against malicious user scan attacks. It prevents user enumeration using plugin & theme paths as well as usernames & displayed user profiles.

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What We Think:

98%

Very highly recommended!

Stop User Enumeration: A Comprehensive Review

User enumeration is an attack method which targets WordPress websites. It occurs when an attacker uses special scripts, bots, or manual techniques to determine the exact username of each administrator and user for a given website. The goal of user enumeration is to gain access to sensitive data and disrupt the normal functioning of the website. This type of attack can have devastating consequences and is very hard to detect. To protect your WordPress website from user enumeration, the Stop User Enumeration (SUE) plugin is highly recommended.

Stop User Enumeration: Breakdown

The Stop User Enumeration (SUE) plugin is an open-source security plugin that helps website owners protect against user enumeration attacks. This plugin essentially detects and prevents any scripts or bots from running on WordPress sites in order to determine user credentials. By installing this plugin, webmasters can effectively reduce the risk of a user enumeration attack.

The SUE plugin works by detecting requests that are made to WordPress sites in order to gain access to user data. When such requests are detected, the plugin immediately blocks the attempts. The SUE plugin also has an integrated logging system that captures all the requests made to the website. This way, website administrators can easily review any suspicious activity. The SUE plugin also comes with an easy-to-configure and intuitive alert system. If the plugin identifies a malicious attempt to access user information, it will alert the website administrator.

The SUE plugin can be easily installed and configured on any WordPress website. After setting up the plugin, webmasters can modify several security settings in order to customize the protection it provides. For example, website owners can choose to block all user enumeration attempts, or select only suspicious requests to be blocked. Additionally, website administrators can also choose to be notified by email for every blocked enumeration attempt.

Pros of Using Stop User Enumeration

Securely block sensitive user information: The Stop User Enumeration plugin helps protect important user accounts and personal information by blocking out attempts to enumerate usernames and access profiles without the use of passwords. The plugin prevents malicious actors from trying to break into users’ accounts and discover any kind of sensitive information about the user or their activities on a WordPress site.

Compatible with most major WordPress versions: The Stop User Enumeration plugin is designed to be compatible with most major WordPress versions, including 3.8, 4.2, 4.3 and newer. It is regularly maintained and updated, ensuring that it is always compatible with the latest version of WordPress and protecting users’ security.

Simple to install and activate: The Stop User Enumeration plugin is easy to install and activate. All that is needed is to download the plugin from the WordPress repository, install it in the usual way, and activate it with a few clicks. The plugin is then ready to run immediately.

Choose what information to block: When activated, the Stop User Enumeration plugin automatically blocks a number of attempts to enumerate user data. This includes blocking attempts to discover user emails, roles, and even passwords. It also gives the user the option to restrict attempts to discover specific parts of user profiles. This allows the user to customize the plugin to their particular needs.

Lightweight and unobtrusive: The Stop User Enumeration plugin is lightweight and unobtrusive to use. It does not require any manual configuration and does not add any heavy scripts or plugin to the WordPress site. The plugin runs in the background and is actively checking against attempts to enumerate user data, without detracting from the user experience.

Cons of Using Stop User Enumeration

Increasing Server Load: The Stop User Enumeration plugin adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress site by attempting to block user enumeration. However, this can lead to increased server loads as the plugin is constantly monitoring the website. This can be particularly troubling for websites with limited server resources, such as small, shared hosting plans.

Limiting Access to Pages: The Stop User Enumeration plugin prevents web crawlers from accessing pages on the website, which can limit the website’s ability to be found by search engines. This can potentially reduce website traffic if website owners opt to utilize the plugin.

Reduced User Experience: The Stop User Enumeration plugin also has the potential to slow down the website loading times due to its increased server load. Slow loading times lead to a reduced user experience since website visitors find it burdensome to wait for the page to load. This may lead to a decrease in website interactions as users may leave the website without fully exploring.

Decreased Compatibility: The Stop User Enumeration plugin is not compatible with certain third-party plugins and themes. As a result, some functionality may be impaired or limited for those who choose to use the plugin. Additionally, the plugin may also conflict with certain security practices, such as two-factor authentication, which are necessary to properly secure websites.

False Positives: The Stop User Enumeration plugin may also cause false positives due to its detection algorithms. This can lead to false blocks that bar legitimate users from accessing the website even though they should have been allowed in. Attempts to fix these false positives can be a time-consuming process as website owners and developers will be required to identify the cause of the false positive and find a way to resolve it.

98% Very highly recommended!

In conclusion

The Stop User Enumeration (SUE) plugin is an important security measure that can help protect WordPress websites from user enumeration attacks. It has an intuitive user interface which allows website owners to easily configure and customize their security settings. Additionally, the plugin also comes with an integrated logging system and alert system that further helps website owners secure their site against malicious activity. Installing the SUE plugin might be time-consuming but is highly recommended for any WordPress website in order to protect against user enumeration attacks.

Plugin Specifications

Version: 1.4.9
Last Updated: 8 months ago
Installs: 40,000+
WP Version: 4.6+
Tested Until: 6.4.2
PHP Version: 5.6 or higher

Use Case Examples

Preventing Login Brute-Forcing and Account Takeover
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The Stop User Enumeration plugin for WordPress can be used to prevent login brute-forcing – a kind of attack which attempts to discover user names and passwords by attempting to enter them into a login form. This plugin adds extra security measures to your WordPress website, which must be passed in order to successfully complete the login process. By using a technique called user ID hiding, the plugin prevents hackers from successfully targeting specific user accounts on the website. This process is especially important for websites that are responsible for handling sensitive information, such as customer financial data or medical records.
Increasing Log File Reliability and Reporting
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Securing Public Website Databases
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Preventing Online Fraud and Unauthorized Access
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Promoting Cybersecurity Practices and Compliance
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