As many of us prepare to kick off the new year, having eaten our way through another holiday season that we hope was filled with the things you love, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have shown us over the past year. From our end, we promise […]
Author: Robert Abela
Robert Abela is a WordPress security expert with years of experience in the sector.
WP Activity Log Update 4.3.4 – A taste of things to come
WP Activity Log 4.3.3: Enterprise-grade features & more in latest release
We are happy to announce the release of update 4.3.3 for WP Activity Log. This update adds new enterprise-grade features that are primarily aimed at customers running agencies and customers with many WordPress websites. Other new features included in this release focus on compliance and REST coverage. All of this, along with other exciting improvements […]
How to record a history of failed login attempts on WordPress?
One of the most common methods that hackers use to gain access to a WordPress site is a brute force attack. Bots try multiple username and password combinations until one is successful. Invariably, this leads to many failed login attempts. As such, limiting and keeping a log of failed login attempts is one of the […]
WP Activity Log 4.1.3: the new extension for WooCommerce & other updates
BREAKING CHANGES: this update contains a number of breaking changes. Please upgrade to WP Activity Log 4.1.2 before upgrading to version 4.1.3. We are happy to announce the launch of WP Activity Log 4.1.3. This update is particularly important for WooCommerce users. From this update onward the activity log for WooCommerce functionality will be available […]
Activity log for WPForms update
Today we are happy to announce a new update of the activity log for WPForms extension. In this update we increased the activity log coverage. With this extension, WP Activity Log keeps a record of entry edits and access control changes. Both these features were introduced in WPForms 1.6.0 just a few weeks ago. Let’s […]
WP Activity Log 4.1: Introducing the new role based users sessions policies
The WordPress users sessions management feature in WP Activity Log is one of the most used features. Many use it to see who is logged in to their websites, and what they are doing in real time. Others, especially subscription and membership site owners use it to limit or block multiple users sessions. That’s why […]
WP Security Audit Log renamed to WP Activity Log
Today’s announcement is very different from all the previous ones. We are renaming WP Security Audit Log to WP Activity Log. The plugin’s name change reflects the vision we have for the plugin, as explained in this post. A bit of history When we started WP White Security and released the first version of WP […]
Activity Log for MainWP 1.5: New search module & better UX
Searching through the activity logs of multiple websites from one central place should be an easy thing to do. After all, you install an activity log plugin on all the child sites you manage via MainWP so you can know exactly what is happening when you need to. That is why we are really excited […]
How to track & monitor WordPress database changes?
Did you know that you can track and monitor changes that occur within your WordPress’ site database? This post explains how you can do just that, as well as learn more about the benefits of monitoring WordPress databases and the types of alerts you can receive whenever something has changed within your database. What are […]
WSAL 4.0.3: Support for WooCommerce 4.0 & new bbPress add-on
Today we are excited to announce WP Activity Log 4.0.3. It features an improved WooCommerce activity log sensor with broader coverage, support for the new WooCommerce 4.0 and the new admin tool, an activity log add-on for bbPress, and many other plugin updates. Let’s dive right in for more details on what is new and […]
WordPress activity logs for newbies
WordPress activity logs help site administrators better manage their WordPress websites and users, and keep them secure. Activity logs are also very helpful in a post hack scenario, to identify the source of the attack. If you are new to WordPress activity logs, this article is for you. We will explain what activity logs are, […]
Announcing activity logs for WPForms & add-ons in 4.0.1
Today we are really excited because we have two announcements! We are releasing WP Activity Log 4.0.1, and the new activity logs add-on for WPForms. Find out more about activity logs for WPForms, and what else is new in today’s updates in this post. Activity logs for WPForms In my opinion, WPForms is the most […]
6 key tips for evaluating WordPress activity log plugins
A WordPress activity log is a must have tool in every website’s security suite. However, determining which plugin is best for incorporating this feature can be tricky, given there are quite a few activity log plugins available. In order to make an informed decision, there are a few key features to look for when evaluating […]
WP Activity Log V4: the all new, easier to read WordPress activity log
We are starting 2020 with a bang! Today we are excited to release version 4 of WP Activity Log. This update is by far the biggest one we have done since we launched this plugin. Version 4 features the all new WordPress activity logs. Now it is much easier to parse through the logs and […]
Activity Log for MainWP update 1.3
Today we are announcing update 1.3 of the Activity Log for MainWP plugin, the MainWP extension that enables you to see the activity logs of all the child sites from the MainWP dashboard. This is a maintenance update. It includes a good number of improvements and bug fixes, as this post highlights. Noteworthy updates in […]
Best practices for managing WordPress activity log data
The data stored in the WordPress activity log is sensitive and confidential. So should you back it up? Should you archive it and keep it secure? Many compliance regulations stipulate who can access such data, and how such data should be stored, secured and backed up. This is common practise in the finance and healthcare […]
Update 3.5.2 – New filter hooks & better support for CPTs on multisite
Today we are releasing WP Activity Log 3.5.2. This update contains an important patch for better handling of custom post types on multisite networks. In this update we are also introducing new filter hooks which allow you to further customize the plugin’s behaviour. New filter hooks for plugin users In this update we have included […]
Update 3.5.1 – New filters & sorting in the activity log viewer & other improvements
WP Activity Log 3.5.1 is a release with a few improvements and bug fixes. It also features the new filters and sorting options for the Severity column in the activity log viewer. Read on to find out what is new and improved in this update of the #1 WordPress activity logs plugin. Filters and sorting […]
Announcing the all new Activity Log for MainWP Premium
Are you ready for an exciting announcement? We certainly are! Today we are announcing the premium edition of Activity Logs for MainWP, the popular MainWP extension that allows you to view the logs of all child sites from one central location; the MainWP dashboard. What are the new premium features? The premium edition of […]
Update 3.5 : New front-end sensors & improved wizard
The main role of an activity log plugin (aka activity log) is to keep a log of the changes users do on your WordPress website. However, the WP Activity Log can also keep a log of other website activities that you should know of. For example it can keep a log when new users register […]
Update 3.4.3 – Front-end plugin performance improvements & MainWP extension support
Research data shows that people are less productive in summer. Though the hot summer sun does not affect everyone: today, we are announcing the third WP Activity Log plugin update for summer 2019, version 3.4.3. In this post we will tell you all about the new updates. (Another) very big and final plugin performance update […]
How to delete all logged in user sessions on WordPress
When a user logs on to a WordPress website, a session is created. The details of the session are stored in the WordPress database, specifically in wp_usermeta table. If a session is not terminated by the user via a logout, WordPress automatically terminates the session after a certain period of time. However, in some cases […]
Update 3.4.2 – Plugin UX & performance improvements
In the last few plugin updates we focused on improving the plugin’s user experience (UX) and performance. WP Activity Log 3.4.2 is a continuation of that. The focus on this release are minor but much needed UX and performance updates. 30x Faster Database Queries, Search & Filters Your WordPress activity log is stored in a […]
Instant SMS notifications for WordPress administrators
Administrators of a multi user WordPress website do not need to know about every change their users make on the website. Keeping a record of all changes in an activity log (activity log or activity log) which you can refer to in case there is a problem is good enough. However, you have to be […]
Activity Log for MainWP 1.0.4 – Data retention & details activity log settings
Today we are happy to announce update 1.0.4 of the Activity Log for MainWP, the extension that keeps a log of all that happens on your MainWP dashboard and network of child sites. In this update we are introducing two new settings to help you to better manage your MainWP activity logs. We have also […]
Update 3.4.1: New import & export settings feature & hooks for theme developers
Do you have the WP Activity Log plugin installed on more than one website? We have good news for you! In this update we included a new plugin settings import/export feature to help you with setting up the plugin. Today we are releasing WP Activity Log update 3.4.1. In this post we are highlighting what […]
4 tips to get the most out of your WordPress activity logs
Ideally, every time something happens on your WordPress website there would be a record of it. This applies if someone deletes a file, installs a new plugin, updates the content on a page, and much more. With a WordPress activity log, you’ll always know what’s going on with your site. Having access to those kinds […]
Update 3.4 – SMS notifications, integrations & improved features
We’ve been planning and developing this feature for quite some time, and now finally it is here: SMS notifications in the WP Activity Log plugin. WP Activity Log was the first activity log plugin to fully support WordPress multisite networks. It was also the first activity log plugin that had reports, email notifications, and could […]
Infinite scroll & performance update for Activity Log For MainWP extension
We are happy to announce a new update of the Activity Log for MainWP, the extension that allows administrators to view the activity logs of all the child sites on the MainWP network from the central dashboard. The main highlights of this MainWP extension updates are: Infinite Scroll for the Activity Log Viewer We have […]
PCI DSS for WordPress | Requirement 10: Track & monitor all access
PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. It is a set of compliance regulations that any eCommerce and WordPress site that deals with cardholder data has to adhere to. Websites have to be compliant even if they do not store cardholder data and uses a third party payment gateway. PCI DSS compliance […]
Infinite scroll & performance improvements in update 3.3.1.1
Another week, another release! Yes, just one week after the major WooCommerce activity log update we have another update of the WP Activity Log plugin. This is a minor release, however it does pack a punch when it comes to performance. Here is a highlight of what is new in the update. Infinite Scroll in […]
Announcing update 3.3 – Slack support, new external database & services UI & more
Today we are excited to announce version 3.3 of WP Activity Log. This version update has several new features and improvements, and the ones we are really excited about are: Mirroring WordPress activity logs to Slack All new external database and services UI and functionality. In this update we have focused on the integration of […]
Announcing the new Activity Log for MainWP extension
Today we are happy to announce the release of a new free extension - Activity Logs for MainWP. With this extension, MainWP users can keep an activity log of changes that happen on their MainWP dashboard, and also see the activity logs of all child sites from one central location - the MainWP dashboard. Before [...]
Update 3.2.4 – activity logs for Gutenberg
We are happy to announce update 3.2.4 of WP Activity Log, the first activity log plugin to fully support Gutenberg, the new WordPress editor. In this update we also included other new features and improvements. This post highlights what is new and improved in this update of the most comprehensive activity log plugin for WordPress. […]
How to Limit & Manage Users Sessions in WordPress Sites & Multisite Networks
Do you ever wonder who is logged in to your WordPress site or multisite network right now? And what content they are reading, or what they are doing while logged in to your site? Knowing such information is crucial for a WordPress site owner or administrator. It will help you better manage your site and […]
Update 3.2.3.3 of WP Activity Log Released
Today we released version 3.2.3.3 of WP Activity Log, the comprehensive WordPress activity log plugin. This is a hotfix release, which includes some bug fixes but also a number of improvements that make the plugin easier to use. Here is a highlight of what is included in this version update. New Activity Log Events As […]
WP Activity Log 3.2.3 – Focus on easy of use & user experience
The detailed WordPress activity log is what sets the WP Activity Log plugin apart from the competition. Hence why businesses trust the plugin to keep a log of what is happening on their WordPress websites and multisite networks. Though the same comprehensiveness and detailed activity log is also what sometimes overwhelm users. Sometimes the plugin […]
A list of Useful Log Files You Can Find On Your WordPress Web Server
Every service running on the web server on which your WordPress website is hosted has a log file. Log files are used to keep a record of what a service or software has done or what errors it encountered while running. Hence why logs are a vital tool for administrators, webmasters, developers, testers and anyone […]
WP Activity Log 3.2.2 Released
We are happy to announce the July 2018 update of WP Activity Log, the most comprehensive WordPress activity log plugin. The main highlight of this update is support for MainWP, a WordPress plugin that allows you to manage multiple WordPress installs from one central dashboard. This update also includes several other new features, improvements and bug […]
WordPress file changes warnings & more in WP Activity Log 3.2
Just a few weeks after we released WP Activity Log 3.1.7, and a few weeks before we hit WordCamp Europe we are happy to announce the new WP Activity Log 3.2, which (finally) includes WordPress file integrity checker. Read this post for a highlight of what is new and improved in version 3.2 of the […]
Why we switched from Selling Our WordPress Plugin with EDD (Easy Digital Downloads) to Freemius
How it all started The first version of the WP Activity Log plugin was released on the 24th May 2013. Like many other businesses it all started because of a need – when I used to do security audits of WordPress websites I noticed that the majority of admins took care of hardening (like installing […]
WP Activity Log 3.1.7 – New data inspector and external database buffer
We are happy to announce another big WP Activity Log plugin update this month! Here are the highlights of this update: New Data Inspector for the WordPress activity log When the WP Activity Log plugin keeps a log of a change, it records a lot of technical details, though most of them are not reported […]
WP Activity Log 3.1.5 – Yoast SEO activity log & Improved users sessions management
We are always excited about new plugin update releases, especially when we have new killer features to share with you. The two big highlights of version 3.1.5 of the most comprehensive activity log plugin for WordPress are: Detailed activity Log for YOAST SEO plugin, A new fully blown users sessions management module. This posts explains in […]
WP Activity Log 3.1.1 – Improved Multisite Support
We are happy to announce the third release of the WP Activity Log plugin for 2018 – version 3.1.1. This is a minor release though it does include some significant changes, as explained in this blog post. Better Support for WordPress Multisite Previous to this version update of the plugin, sites on a WordPress multisite […]
Enhancing your GDPR toolkit with the WordPress activity log
On 25th of May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes enforceable across Europe and any business that deals with either a EU citizen or anyone who lives within the EU. In advance of the deadline, we have been getting our own systems and business processes in order. We’ve also taken the time to […]
WP Activity Log 3.1 Released
We are really happy to announce the new version of the WP Activity Log plugin. The main highlight of this version is the new content alert systems, which allowed us to reduce the number of alerts we use and have a more efficient and flexible WordPress activity log system. We have also improved a lot […]
WP Activity Log 3.0 Is Released
After three long months, WP Activity Log version 3.0 has finally arrived. The most recent version of WordPress’ most comprehensive and complete activity log solution features a new licensing model & mechanism, new alerts, several updates and bug fixes. Here is a highlight of what is new and improved in the latest version of this […]
Managing WordPress Revisions for Posts and Pages
“The WordPress revisions system stores a record of each saved draft or published update. The revision system allows you to see what changes were made in each revision by dragging a slider (or using the Next/Previous buttons). The display indicates what has changed in each revision – what was added, what remained unchanged, and what […]
2018 – New licensing model for the WP Activity Log WordPress plugin
2017 was a great year for the WP Activity Log plugin. During this year we have reached and surpassed a few milestones we have set for ourselves, such as: 50,000 active installations (we have 60,000+) 500+ paying customers (we have nearly 1,000) Keep & improve the good user rating (plugin has a positive rating of […]
OWASP Top 10 & WordPress Activity Logs – Addressing A10: Insufficient logging & monitoring
Logging and monitoring are so important in web application and WordPress security that lack of logging functionality in web applications has now been added to the OWASP Top 10 list: Insufficient logging and monitoring, coupled with missing or ineffective integration with incident response, allows attackers to further attack systems, maintain persistence, pivot to more systems, […]
Search 2.0 Add-On for WP Activity Log Released
This update took quite some time to finish, but finally it is here. We are happy to announce the new Search 2.0 Add-on, which adds search functionality to WordPress’ most popular and widely used activity log plugin WP Activity Log. This update which features new functionality and also a completely revamped, new UI. Let’s see […]
WP Activity Log 2.6.6 Released
We just released an update of WP Activity Log, the most popular and widely used WordPress security activity log plugin. The main highlight of this update is the ability to keep a record of changes done to custom fields created by Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and similar plugins. Note that we also released the new Search […]
Reports Add-On Version 2.1.1 Available for Download
Today we released an updated version of the Reports Add-On. This is a minor release and in it we: Moved the Reports upload directory to /wp-content/uploads/wp-security-audit-log/reports/ Removed all of the wp_session cookie code (no longer needed) Improved the code that loads wp-config.php Removed the error log function. If you have activated your license key you […]
WP Activity Log Update 2.6.5 Available for Download
Summer is in full swing, and so is the development of WP Activity Log, WordPress’ most comprehensive and popular activity log plugin. We are happy to announce version 2.6.5, an update which includes a few but significant updates. Improved Monitoring of 404 HTTP Errors WP Activity Log now has two different alerts to keep a […]
Building a WordPress Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a software that monitors networks or systems for malicious activity. In this article we will be seeing how you can setup an IDS for your WordPress website. Suspicious activity is typically a sign that someone is trying to find a security hole on your WordPress website. Sometimes, it is […]
Improved Monitoring of WordPress Site-Wide Settings with WP Activity Log
We are happy to announce the release of version 2.6.2 of WP Activity Log, WordPress’ most comprehensive and easy to use activity log plugin. This update includes new monitoring capabilities of a WordPress’ site-wide website settings and post specific settings. We also managed to fit in several improvements and bug fixes. Let’s take a look […]
Email Notifications Add-On Version 2.1.3 Released
Today we released an update for the Email Notifications Add-on, which allows you to configure your own rules so you are instantly alerted via email of important changes on your WordPress. With this update you can now: Use custom WordPress user roles when creating a rule Use Custom Post Types with prefix In previous builds […]
New WP Activity Log Plugin Supports Syslog and Papertrail
Today we are excited to announce version 2.5.9 of the WP Activity Log WordPress plugin, and version 2.0 of the External DB premium add-on. We have really put in a lot of work in these versions, and finally you can mirror the WordPress activity log to Syslog and Papertrail, the cloud-hosting log management system. Here […]
WP Activity Log 2.5.8 is Released
We just released an update of the WP Activity Log plugin and all the premium add-ons. In this update we standardized the date and time formats the plugin and all the add-ons use, and also the time zone. With this update, the WordPress activity log of WP Activity Log can now be used by businesses, […]
External DB Add-On Version 1.1.0 Released
In this post you will find the details on what is new and improved in the latest version of the external DB add-on for WP Activity Log plugin, the add-on that allows you to save the WordPress activity log in an external database.
Hooks for Custom Alerts and Monitoring of WordPress Menus Changes and Scheduled Content
Announcing version 2.4 of WP Activity Log: a new hook for custom alerts, ability to keep a record of all WordPress menus changes and when users schedule either a post, page or custom post type for publishing. Read this post for an overview of what is new, improved and fixed.
Integration with WhatIsMyIPAddress.com and Support for External Database in WP Activity Log 2.1
The new version of WP Activity Log has support for the External Database Add-On and is integrated with WhatIsMyIP.com so you can get more information about a specific IP address with just a click of a button. For more information about what is new, improved and fixed in this new version of WordPress’ most popular monitoring and activity log plugin read this post.
New Database Connector in WP Activity Log 2.0
WordPress 2.0 includes a major change in the core of the plugin that will allow us to provide much more functionality in the future versions. It also makes the plugin to WordPress database connection much faster and more efficient.
Exclude WordPress users & roles from the WordPress activity log
Version 1.5.0 of WP Activity Log, WordPress’ most popular user monitoring plugin is available for download. In this version we included new features such as the ability to exclude users, roles and custom fields from WordPress monitoring. Read this blog post for more information about what is new and improved in version 1.5.
WordPress Failed Logins Monitoring Improved in WP Activity Log 1.4
Version 1.4 of WP Activity Log is available for download. The major feature highlight for this new version is the much improved monitoring of WordPress failed logins, where the plugin reports the username being attacked allowing you, the WordPress administrator to take evasive actions and avoid having your WordPress hacked.
WP Activity Log Supports Reverse Proxies and WordPress Firewalls
A new updated version of WP Activity Log is available for download. Update your plugin today to benefit of new features that support reverse proxies and web application firewalls setups.
WP Activity Log 1.2.7: faster logs viewer and more settings
A new version of WP Activity Log has just been released. The new version 1.2.7 includes a number of enhancements that allow the plugin to better monitor and perform on large scale WordPress multisite installations.
WP Activity Log Improved Support for High Traffic WordPress Websites
The new version of WP Activity Log can now monitor high traffic and busy WordPress and WordPress multisite websites more efficiently thanks to the much improved database structure.
WP Activity Log 1.2.2 Available for Download
This new version 1.2.2 of WP Activity Log plugin is fully translatable and it includes the translations in Italian. We have other translations coming in so stay tuned with us.
Accurate WordPress Monitoring with WP Activity Log Plugin
A new update of the WordPress security monitoring plugin WP Activity Log is available for download. The new version includes a more accurate WordPress security alert timestamp, allows administrators to store an unlimited number of security alerts and also includes a number of new security alerts.
New WP Activity Log Displays User Roles & Avatars
The new updated version of the popular WordPress security monitoring plugin WP Activity Log has a number of new features, improvements and bug fixes, such as reporting of user role and displaying the user avatar for each alert and more. Read this blog post for more information about the new version of the plugin.
Easily Monitor WordPress Themes and WordPress Settings Changes
Our popular WordPress security monitoring plugin WP Activity Log is finally out of BETA. In this new version 1.0 of the plugin we also introduced monitoring or WordPress themes, PHP errors, WordPress updates, WordPress permalinks and much more. Read these release notes for more detailed information about what is new and improved in this exciting release of WP Activity Log.
WP White Security releases first activity log plugin for WordPress multisite
Press Release | WP Activity Log plugin is the first and only plugin to date that allow WordPress multisite super administrators to track WordPress users and other under the hood WordPress activity on their WordPress multisite network installation to identify suspicious behavior and avoid malicious hacker attacks.
Monitor Custom Post Types with WP Activity Log
The new version of our WordPress audit and monitoring plugin WP Activity Log allows WordPress administrators to monitor the activity of posts with custom post types. For example a WordPress administrator will be alerted once a post with custom post type is created, modified, published or deleted.
Monitor WordPress Settings Changes with WP Activity Log
The new version of WordPress security & monitoring plugin WP Activity Log allows administrators and website owners to monitor several global WordPress settings that typically are not changed, but might be changed by attackers during a malicious attack, thus helping WordPress owners be one step ahead of malicious hackers.
WP Activity Log Version 0.2
We are excited to announce the new version of WP Activity Log security plugin. The new version includes several new features and several new security activity log events that allow you to keep an eye on everything happening on your WordPress to avoid any WordPress security issues.
WP White Security Release WordPress User Monitoring Plugin
Today we released the first BETA version of our WordPress security plugin WP Activity Log. Ideal for any type WordPress installation, WP Activity Log logs everything that is happening on WordPress. Use our plugin to detect under the hood hacker activity and also monitor your users’ productivity.