Is HostGator SiteLock Worth it? Free Alternatives Explored

Last Updated on May 10, 2024

In the world of web hosting, the security of your website is paramount. With cyber threats lurking at every corner, protecting your online assets has become more important than ever.

HostGator SiteLock, a security service offered by the popular web hosting provider HostGator, claims to provide the protection your website needs. But is Hostgator SiteLock worth it truly as an investment?

In this blog post, we will dive into the details of HostGator SiteLock, exploring its features, plans, and pricing, as well as investigating customer experiences and alternative solutions.

By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of whether HostGator SiteLock is the right choice for your website security needs and if it’s worth the investment.

Short Summary

• Evaluate pros and cons of HostGator SiteLock to determine if it is the best website security solution.

• Free alternatives such as Wordfence Security Plugin, Cloudflare CDN Free Plan, & alternative hosting providers offer enhanced security features.

• Navigate HostGator SiteLock Dashboard for easy management of website security & performance monitoring.

Is HostGator SiteLock Worth it?

No, SiteLock Security is not worth it for most in my honest opinion. Utilizing free alternatives like Cloudflare for security and free WordPress plugins like iThemes or Wordfence will work for most.

The question of HostGator SiteLock’s worth has been a topic of debate among website owners.

As a security service, it does offer protection from malware, viruses, and other cyber threats, as well as a SiteLock Seal trust badge for your website.

However, it also comes with its fair share of disadvantages. Customers have reported mixed reviews about the service, with some praising its effectiveness while others claim it is a scam.

The pricing structure of HostGator SiteLock is also a point of contention, with renewal rates being higher than the initial purchase.

Additionally, if you have multiple websites, the cost of the service can add up quickly.

Related: how to add addon domain in Hostgator

Related: how to install WordPress on Hostgator Addon Domain

With this in mind, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider whether HostGator SiteLock is the best choice for your website security needs, or if there are better alternatives available.

What Is HostGator SiteLock?

HostGator SiteLock is a sitelock add on service that provides additional security features for your website, including the essential sitelock service.

With a range of tools at its disposal, SiteLock aims to safeguard your online presence from malware, viruses, and other malicious attacks.

Some of its key features include a Web Application Firewall (WAF), malware scanning and removal, email alerts for malware detection, and weekly scan reports.

Additionally, SiteLock offers HostGator SiteLock TrueSpeed, an integrated Content Delivery Network (CDN) that enhances website load times and reduces bandwidth consumption.

The primary objective of HostGator SiteLock is to provide a secure environment for your website and its visitors.

By offering automatic malware removal, protection of your brand reputation, defense against malicious attacks, and identification and correction of website vulnerabilities, SiteLock aims to provide a comprehensive security solution for website owners.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security measure designed to protect websites from malicious traffic and attacks, while allowing blacklisting of IP addresses and countries.

HostGator SiteLock’s Web Application Firewall serves as a crucial line of defense for your website, shielding it from potential threats and ensuring the safety of your data.

This security feature works by filtering incoming traffic to your website, blocking malicious requests, and preventing unauthorized access to your site’s resources.

By doing so, the WAF helps maintain the integrity of your website and protects it from cyber threats, offering peace of mind for both you and your website visitors.

Malware Scanning and Removal

Malware scanning and removal are essential components of HostGator SiteLock’s security offerings.

The service includes an in-built malware scanner that conducts daily malware scans for your website, ensuring that any malicious software is promptly identified and eliminated, helping to detect malware effectively.

Additionally, a weekly scan report is provided to keep you informed about your website’s security status.

HostGator SiteLock’s Secure Malware Alert & Removal Tool (SMART) is a security tool designed to not only alert you to the presence of malicious software but also automatically remove it from your website.

This automatic malware removal process helps maintain the integrity of your website, prevents search engine blacklisting, and ensures a safe browsing experience for your visitors.

Evaluating HostGator SiteLock Plans & Features

HostGator SiteLock offers three hostgator sitelock plan options with varying features and prices to cater to the diverse security needs of website owners.

Let’s take a closer look at each plan and what it has to offer.

Essentials Plan

The HostGator SiteLock Essentials Plan is designed to provide basic protection and security features for your website.

This plan includes an antivirus scanner, daily malware scanning, automated bots blocking, and a content delivery network (CDN) for improved website performance.

Here are the features of the Hostgator SiteLock Security Essentials plan:

• Daily malware scan

• Automatic malware removal

• Scans unlimited web pages

• Basic CDN

• Weekly scan report

• Google Blacklist monitoring

• SiteLock seal

• Block automated bot attacks

• 12-hour response time

Prevent Plan

The HostGator SiteLock Prevent Plan offers a more advanced level of security compared to the Essentials Plan.

In addition to the features available in the Essentials Plan, the Prevent Plan provides complete protection for your website, ensuring that it remains protected against malicious code and malware used by hackers.

However, the added security features may be worth the investment for website owners who require a higher level of protection for their online assets.

Here are the features of the SiteLock Prevent plan:

• Daily malware scan

• Automatic malware removal

• Scans unlimited web pages

• Basic CDN

• Weekly scan report

• Google Blacklist monitoring

• SiteLock seal

• Block automated bot attacks

• 6-hour response time

• Web Application Firewall

• DDoS protection

• Database scanning

Prevent Plus Plan

The HostGator SiteLock Prevent Plus Plan is the most comprehensive security offering, including all the features of the Prevent Plan, as well as additional features such as PCI compliance and continuous malware scanning.

PCI compliance is a critical security standard for businesses accepting card payments through their websites, ensuring that sensitive customer information is protected from being compromised.

However, the added security features and PCI compliance make it an attractive choice for businesses and websites with higher data security and requirements.

Here are the features of the SiteLock Prevent Plus plan:

• Continuous malware scan

• Automatic malware removal

• Scans unlimited web pages

• Basic CDN

• Weekly scan report

• Google Blacklist monitoring

• SiteLock seal

• Block automated bot attacks

• 4-hour response time

• Web Application Firewall

• DDoS protection

• Database scanning

• PCI compliance reporting

SiteLock Pricing

The pricing for HostGator SiteLock is dependent on the chosen plan, with each plan offering a different set of features and corresponding price points.

It’s important to note that the renewal costs for SiteLock plans are higher than the initial purchase price on the Essentials plan, so website owners should factor this into their budget when considering the service.

The renewal cost stays the same on the Prevent and Prevent Plus plans.

Related: does Hostgator charge monthly?

SiteLock Essentials pricing

When initially signing up for Hostgator if you add the Hostgator SiteLock Security Essentials additional service during checkout SiteLock Essentials will cost you $2.99 per month which is billed annually at $35.88.

The renewal cost is $6.99 per month which is billed annually at $83.88.

If you don’t choose SiteLock when initially buying hosting from Hostgator the cost of SiteLock Essentials costs $5.99 per month for the first term.

The renewal cost is $8.99 per month if going with the monthly option or $7.99 per month if renewing with a 1 year, 2 year, or 3 year term.

SiteLock Prevent pricing

The Hostgator Prevent plan costs $14.99 per month. The renewal cost is the same price at $14.99 per month.

SiteLock Prevent Plus pricing

The Hostgator SiteLock Prevent Plus plan costs $24.99 per month. The renewal cost is the same price at $24.99 per month.

HostGator SiteLock Scam Claims?

Hostgator SiteLock is in no way a scam.

Related: is Hostgator a scam?

Some common reasons why one might think this are:

1. The upsell of SiteLock Security might come across as pushy or aggressive.

2. To any customers facing hacking or security issues Hostgator’s technical support team will recommend SiteLock to protect the users website.

3. Hostgator offers SiteLock Essentials free with its WordPress hosting plans. Some might think the extra cost is unnecessary or high priced when its free for WordPress plans.

4. Many hosts offer a firewall with all its hosting plans to help protect the security of users sites. Hostgator doesn’t offer this therefore making your site more vulnerable without some kind of security solution.

To some, the points made above might make them think that Hostgator SiteLock Security is a scam but it is in no way a scam.

Hostgator is a popular web host powering millions of sites around the world. SiteLock Security can be a helpful add-on for protecting your site.

Related: why choose Hostgator

Customer Experiences with HostGator SiteLock

HostGator customer experiences with HostGator SiteLock have been varied, with some website owners finding the service beneficial, while others claim it is a scam. I want to note that Hostgator SiteLock Security is not a scam.

Some customers appreciate the additional security features provided by SiteLock, such as malware scanning and removal, web application firewall, and website performance monitoring.

These features can help ensure the safety and security of their online assets.

It’s essential to carefully evaluate HostGator SiteLock based on your website’s specific security needs and consider alternative security solutions, if necessary.

Free Alternatives to HostGator SiteLock

For those who are hesitant to invest in HostGator SiteLock or are looking for more budget-friendly alternatives, there are several free options to consider.

These alternatives can provide adequate security features to protect your website from cyber threats.

For example, Wordfence is a popular free security plugin for WordPress websites. It provides a resource.

Wordfence Security Plugin

Wordfence is a popular and reliable security plugin for WordPress users, offering an all-in-one security solution for websites.

As a free alternative to HostGator SiteLock, Wordfence provides features such as web application firewall (WAF), malware scanning and removal, and additional other security tools and enhancements.

For new websites, the free version of Wordfence may be sufficient to provide the necessary security features.

However, website owners with more complex security needs or larger websites may consider upgrading to the premium version of Wordfence for additional features and support.

iThemes Security Plugin

iThemes is one of the most powerful security WordPress plugins. iThemes was founded in 2008 and offers a free WordPress plugin and a paid plugin.

The plugin was built for ease of use and performance so that it doesn’t slow down your WordPress website.

Cloudflare CDN Free Plan

The Cloudflare CDN Free Plan is another free alternative to HostGator SiteLock, offering more comprehensive security features and performance enhancements for your website.

With features such as free SSL, CDN, and DDoS protection, Cloudflare’s free plan provides a robust security solution for small business websites, blogs, and personal projects.

While the free plan does not include advanced features and support offered in paid plans, it remains an excellent choice for those looking for a cost-effective security solution for their website.

Related: Hostgator Data Center Locations

Alternative Hosting Provider

Exploring an alternative web hosting provider may be beneficial, as they may provide enhanced security features compared to those offered by HostGator SiteLock.

A recommended alternative hosting provider that has great security included with its web hosting plans is HostArmada.

HostArmada

HostArmada offers security features such as web application firewalls, malware scanning and removal, as well as other security features to keep your website protected from cyber threats.

Here are security features offered by HostArmada completely free:

• FREE SSL

• FREE Backups

• FREE Dos/DDoS Protection

• FREE Malware Scanning

• FREE Malware Removal

• FREE WAF & Network Firewall

• Fast Patching

• User Account Isolation

When evaluating an alternative hosting provider, it’s essential to compare their security offerings with HostGator SiteLock to determine the best option for your website’s specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HostGator SiteLock do?

HostGator SiteLock offers automated malware removal, brand protection, and defense against malicious attacks. It also provides real-time access to site security status and activity, intrusion detection, malware scanning, and website backup for free to HostGator hosting customers.

These features help to ensure that your website is secure and protected from malicious attacks. With SiteLock, you can rest assured that your website is safe and secure.

Can I cancel SiteLock in HostGator?

Yes, you can cancel Hostgator SiteLock at anytime you’d like but you won’t receive a refund.

How do I remove a virus from HostGator?

To remove a virus from Hostgator it is recommended to hire a Freelancer like on Freelancer.com or paying Sucuri to remove the virus for you.

What are the benefits of SiteLock HostGator?

Sitelock helps to prevent malicious websites and enables you to secure and protect your site’s identity.

How do I enable SiteLock on HostGator?

Login to your Hostgator Customer Portal. Click Hosting in the left-side menu. Click Manage under the Hosting package. Find SiteLock from the list and click Manage. Click the Shield Icon under Settings to access the SiteLock dashboard.

Here are related Hostgator SiteLock posts:

• is Bluehost Sitelock Security Essentials worth it?

• is SiteGround Site Scanner worth it?

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, HostGator SiteLock offers a range of security features and plans to cater to the diverse needs of website owners.

However, its worth is a topic of debate, with mixed customer experiences and a somewhat complicated pricing structure.

Before deciding whether to invest in HostGator SiteLock, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons and consider the specific security requirements of your website.

There are several free alternatives available, such as Wordfence, Cloudflare CDN Free Plan, and alternative hosting providers, which may offer adequate security features for your website.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in HostGator SiteLock or explore alternative solutions will depend on your website’s unique security needs and your budget.

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