SiteLock is a complete security package for websites. First, we examine the modules in this package and then we list the best alternatives.
There are numerous security monitoring facets to cover whether you build your own website or manage websites for others. Websites are particularly susceptible to hacker attacks due of their global accessibility. These attacks can be carried out manually or by automated procedures. A website can be infiltrated in a variety of ways, and hackers might even use your site as a launchpad for attacks on other computers.
All the services a site requires are included in the package provided by SiteLock. Therefore, signing up for a SiteLock subscription crosses off a number of tasks related to service research.
What Functions SiteLock?
Your websites will be protected from a variety of assaults thanks to the security services provided by SiteLock. Websites use a wide variety of code snippets that different companies provide. Consider a scenario where your website is based on the.NET platform. In that case, quite a bit of the functionality offered by Microsoft will not be included in the collection of files kept in your hosting account because they are operated by Microsoft’s remote servers.
Tracker libraries and widgets are some instances of outside systems that support your website. If you use Google Ads and those social media, you receive tracker libraries on your website. Widgets are what website builders use to automatically add buttons to your pages. All of these factors are too numerous for you to keep track of on your own. To handle that monitoring responsibility, you must have a security monitor, and SiteLock fulfils that role.
You also require a frequent backup for your website, which is a crucial aspect. You might not assume that you need to back up your site very frequently once it has gone live because the coding will be rather stable. However, if your website utilises an eCommerce platform, you will be gathering consumer information and creating transaction records that must be secured. Furthermore, if ransomware enters your account space, you will experience a lot of difficulties. However, if you regularly backup your PC, you may easily restore it and get back online without having to pay the hackers.
Extra SiteLock offerings
More features are available on SiteLock’s higher tiers. For instance, they offer additional services that secure and enhance the performance of site delivery while still including the standard plan’s Web application vulnerability scanning.
SiteLock provides both file verification and a Web application firewall. It examines incoming requests and stops automated traffic, including DDoS assaults and click bots. In order to stop backdoor access via FTP and RPC, it also patrols efforts to circumvent front-end access management systems.
Plans with more features combine a content delivery network and backup mechanisms (CDN). This entails replicating the website across numerous data centres worldwide. Because visitors are sent to a copy that is closer to them than the original Web server hosting the site, having copies in various locations allows for speedier access for users. Additionally, this arrangement provides failover security. Visitors are immediately redirected to another copy of the website stored on a different server in the event that the primary server for the site goes unavailable.
History of SiteLock
SiteLock started doing business in 2008. Partnering with hosting providers is the secret to obtaining websites that secure your organisation. Due to the successful development of these cooperative connections, SiteLock today has more than 200 partners. More than 16 million websites are safeguarded by SiteLock globally.
SiteLock excels in safeguarding content management systems (CMSs). The system has integrations, so users of WooCommerce, Magneto, WordPress, and Drupal can access it. The software also integrates with the.NET framework and IIS Web server.
These integrations are helpful for more than simply marketing. Additionally, they facilitate the vulnerability scanner’s ability to quickly browse across the site components that frameworks have provided. In CMSs, where the environment supplies the majority of the code needed to run the website, this access is essential.
SiteLock merged with Sectigo in 2021. That conglomerate was created when Francisco Partners acquired SSL certificate authority Comodo CA Ltd. CodeGuard, a competing website backup service, is also owned by Sectigo. While Sectigo’s corporate offices are in Roseland, New Jersey, SiteLock is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
SiteLock schemes
Three plans are provided by SiteLock. Basic, Pro, and Business are these.
Services included in each plan include:
Basic
• Daily backups of up to 2 GB of website files and databases
• Regular site inspections
• Daily database and code scanning
Pro
• Up to 5 GB of website files and database backups each day
• Regular site inspections
• Daily database and code scanning
• Patching automatically
• Content distribution network (CDN)
• Web application firewall (WAF) (WAF)
Business
• Up to 10 GB of website files and database backups each day
• Regular site inspections
• Daily database and code scanning
• Patching automatically
• Content distribution network (CDN)
• Firewall for web applications (WAF)
• Email or SMS 2-factor authentication for protected/login areas
• PCI firewall reporting
• A dashboard for editing custom WAF rules
Daily site scan topics include:
• SSL check
• Malware check
• Spam check
• Scan for SQL injection
• Checks for cross-site scripting
• Risk Score from SiteLock
The routine database and code scanning service includes:
• Scanners for databases, code bases, and CMS
Finding vulnerabilities
• The Web application firewall (WAF) offers the subsequent security:
• Blocking malicious robots
• Backdoor security
• DDoS defence
All plans include 24/7 access to customer support, with varying plan-specific ticket response times:
• Minimum: 30 hours
• Advantage: available constantly
• Work: twelve hours
SiteLock also provides a consultancy service called SiteLock 911, which conducts a complete evaluation and security audit of a website. Although this service costs $199, customers can purchase it for just $149.
SiteLock cost
All three of SiteLock’s plans are offered as monthly subscriptions, but there is a discount for paying for the service yearly that equates to two months free. The three SiteLock plans’ monthly and annual costs are as follows:
• Basic — $149 annually or $14.99 monthly
• Pro: $24.99 monthly or $249 annually
• For businesses, $34.99 per month or $349 annually
You must commit to a minimum service duration of one year, even if you pay monthly. Subscriptions are then paid in advance for the entire payment period.
If you are on the monthly payment plan and decide to end it before the first year has ended, you will be required to pay an early termination fee equal to 50% of the annual fees (calculated at the monthly rate). If you are on the yearly payment plan, you cannot cancel throughout the year and receive a refund.
Free trials are not available for SiteLock. It does, nevertheless, provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. Before the first 30 days have passed, the early termination penalties take effect. You receive a full refund if you close your account during this time.
Strengths and weaknesses of SiteLock
For website owners who are stressed for time, SiteLock is a great package. However, the service is primarily intended for small firms that lack the technical know-how to adequately examine all of a Web-based company’s security needs. Here is our list of the highlights of this service, despite that.
Pros:
• Usable from inside content management programmes
• Integrated into Magneto, WordPress, Drupal, and WooCommerce
• Frequently checking for Web application vulnerabilities
• DDoS defence and throttling of automated bot assaults
• Continual backups
• Choices for a Web application firewall and a content distribution network
Cons:
• A harsh early termination fee
If you have the time to look around for different packages, you might discover better offers elsewhere. However, in order to match the comprehensive package provided by SiteLock, you would probably need to use multiple service providers. It’s challenging to find a complete match for all of SiteLock’s services at such a low cost.
Alternatives for SiteLock
Before using SiteLock, inquire about the services provided by your hosting company. All of the features offered by the SiteLock subscriptions might not require payment from you.
What qualities should a SiteLock substitute have?
We looked at the market for website security services like SiteLock and related Web application vulnerability scanners, and we evaluated the available choices using the following standards:
• Partial matches to the SiteLock packages, such as CDNs, backups, and vulnerability scanning
• A simple-to-use solution made available online
• Services appropriate for enterprises of various sizes
• A customizable bundle that combines a number of security services
• Managed software that includes log storage and patch installers on the cloud
• A tool that can be customised by changing plans, whether it’s free or expensive
• A free trial or demo version for a cost-free evaluation
We have gathered a list of some potent SiteLock substitutes with these selection criteria in mind. Additionally, even though SiteLock is designed for small businesses, we have found several services that are more appropriate for big businesses.
Here are the top five SiteLock substitutes in our opinion:
The Invicti (ACCESS FREE DEMO) When combined with Cloudflare, this vulnerability manager would be a fantastic addition to complete SiteLock’s functions. However, mid-to-large enterprises are probably better off using this service. Because it doesn’t merely go over a list of known vulnerabilities, Invicti is excellent at spotting exploits. To test for illogical procedures, unprotected data coupling, and unsafe remotely-hosted supporting services that enable frameworks and APIs, it also goes the code and executes each component of a website. For Windows and Windows Server, Invicti is a SaaS platform or an on-premises software solution. With access to a demo system, you can test out the service.
Acunetix 2. (ACCESS FREE DEMO) Another excellent option for companies deploying Web servers and offices with private networks is this vulnerability manager. In addition to performing as a Web application scanner, it searches for more than 50,000 network exploits and more than 7,000 external vulnerabilities. Three editions of Acunetix are offered, offering on-demand, scheduled, and continuous testing. The service is available as a SaaS platform that can be subscribed to, as well as a software package that can be installed on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Additionally, a demo system is available for Acunetix for evaluation.
3. Cloudflare This supplier provides very affordable bundles that stand out as competitive alternatives to SiteLock’s services. Additionally, this business has effectively collaborated with Web hosting providers to draw in new clients, and it today guards over 25 million domains. The first of the four plans available for the Cloudflare system is Free. An SSL certificate, continuous protection, DDoS protection, and a CDN are all included in the free package. Data privacy protection and a WAF are features of higher plans. Unfortunately, Cloudflare lacks the capability to compete with SiteLock in the area of vulnerability scanning. You would need to source a vulnerability scanner from a different service in addition to Cloudflare to completely compete with SiteLock.
4. Reblaze is a service provider that offers a menu of services that you may choose from alone or in combination with other modules. Among the available services is a Web application firewall that doubles as a load balancer. Although it is an edge service, there are a number of self-hosted deployment alternatives. You can add services that stop DDoS attacks and other automated harmful attempts like scraping or brute-force password cracking, such as a bot detection service. This service can be set up on your website as a virtual appliance, used with containers, or hosted on a cloud platform. Obtain a free 30-day trial of each Reblaze service.
5. Because DataDome combines a Web application vulnerability scanner with a bot blocker, it works well with SiteLock. The vulnerability scanner secures your system at the same time by looking for exploits as well as threats from the OWASP Top 10 list. A threat intelligence feed is often updated in the vulnerability scanner. As a Web application firewall, the Bot Manager service filters all incoming connection requests. The bot prevention stops automated harmful activities such as inventory hoarding, click fraud, account takeover attempts, and scraping. The DataDome platform is offered as a SaaS. Plans start at $1,190 per month if paid annually, making it far more expensive than SiteLock. DataDome offers a free trial that lasts for 30 days.
