If you use the Better WP Security plugin, keep an eye out for an important update next week. According to iThemes, the plugin will be renamed to iThemes Security to be more in line with the other products in the iThemes family. Because of the name change, users will need to re-activate the plugin after upgrading or else you’ll see the following error.
Besides the name change, a number of features will be added such as:
- The ability to add multiple reporting email addresses for backups and notifications
- Streamlined settings for easier configuration
- Full integration with BackupBuddy
- A complete rewrite of existing features for faster, better, more secure sites.
Hired in 2013, Chris Wiegman has been in charge of completely revamping the plugin. Between the name change, features, and rewriting of code, Better WP Security will be a completely new plugin. The revamp is not limited to just code as iThemes Security will have professional support options available through iThemes.
Support for iThemes Security will now come exclusively through iThemes. We will be releasing those plans and packages with the new release next week.
Users will be happy to know the plugin will remain free of charge and available on the WordPress plugin repository. In the near future, iThemes plans on incorporating pro features to help monetize, fund development, and maintain the plugin. Cory Miller, CEO of iThemes said, “Current features will remain with no plans to discontinue them”. Last but not least, the free version will continue to be maintained as long as it’s useful to the WordPress community.
This is a huge transition and considering Better WP Security is among the most popular plugins on the repository with over 1.7 million downloads, it will be hard to get users on the same page prior to upgrading, despite being warned a week in advance. Hopefully, none of them will think they’ve been hacked and instead upgrade without any problems.
If you have questions or concerns about the changes, feel free to share them in the comments.
We’re very pleased to see how Chris and Better WP Security have integrated so smoothly with the iThemes suite of products and of course, the team.
Having Chris’ plugin and support and installation services as part of the FooPlugins marketplace for this past year has been a pleasure and a true testament to the power of partnerships in the WordPress community.
I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Chris for his trust in us as a brand and as individuals, and we look forward to what the future holds for him and the iThemes team.