10 Best website security scanners in 2024 (Vulnerability & Malware scan)

Website security scanners check for malware, vulnerabilities, backdoors and other issues on your website. This ultimately helps keep your website secure. Here are the best website security scanners

Website security scanner help scan websites to find vulnerabilities, malware or any issues that threaten website security. Running your website through these tools once in a while is an important part of website maintenance. In this article, you will find the best website security scanners.

Most website and business owners mostly care about the design of their website, SEO, digital marketing, bounce rates and contents. They barely give enough attention to website security which is the most important area.

If you care about your business online then security should be the first on your list.

Why website security is extremely important

Website security is very important. Extremely important. Statistics and data collected on internet security are alarming.

According to a study by the University of Maryland, hackers attack every 39 seconds. That means for every 39 seconds, hackers may probably be trying to break into your site.

McAfee, a popular security company estimates that 300,000 new pieces of malware are created by hackers daily. So, even if your website was secure last month, you should ensure it is secure this month.

When your site is breached, a lot of things are compromised for the hacker’s gain. The average cost of a data breach in 2019 was $3.92 million, according to research by SecurityIntelligence.

Even if your business is small. You don’t have much customers or traffic, you have to be concerned about security too. Because according to Fundera, 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses. And you know what is worse? 60% of small businesses that are victims of a cyber attack go out of business within six months.

Using a website security scanner can help you find vulnerabilities or malware on your web application so that you can resolve it before it damages your business.

Top 10 website security scanners (most are free)

Here are the best free and paid website security scanners to scan for vulnerability, malware and more:

1. Sucuri Sitecheck.

Sucuri Sitecheck

Sucuri Sitecheck is offered by Sucuri, who is one of the biggest names in website security. It is free to use. Sucuri Sitecheck is one of the highest-rated website security checkers by experts. You can easily scan for vulnerabilities and malware using this tool.

It is simple to use, just enter your URL and click on scan website. Wait for to see the result.

Key features:

  • Scan for malware
  • Scan for vulnerabilities
  • Website scanner is 100% free
  • Risk assessment of website rated from low to critical
  • Scan for website blacklist status
  • Malware removal service available (paid)
  • And more

2. Mozilla Observatory

Mozilla Observatory is an initiative by the popular web browser, Mozilla Firefox to help webmasters, developers, system admins and digital security personnel check the security and important details of their websites, apps and server. Just because it is a Mozilla initiative does not mean it is limited to only Mozilla Firefox browser. You can access it from any browser.

Mozilla Observatory

It is simple to use, just enter your URL and Scan. The result will display, they are numerous. For every section of result that may be confusing to understand, click on the info tab to understand what it means.

Key features:

  • 100% free
  • Security and vulnerabilities check
  • Content Security Policy (CSP)
  • HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS check
  • Grade History (Ranking of your site in terms of security)

Generally, the tests results are displayed in four parts:

  • HTTP Observatory
  • TLS Observatory
  • SSH Observatory
  • Third-party tests

3. Qualys SSL Server Test

Qualys SSL Server Test runs a deep SSL server test and grades the result by scores ranging from A to B. SSL is a key part of website security. Most especially for eCommerce websites. If you receive payment on your website, this test will help you access the configuration of your SSL.

Qualys SSL Server Test

It’s easy to use. Input your website and submit to run the test. Once the result is ready, you will see it by the different test conducted and grades awarded. Click on each result to see more details.

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • Deep SSL checker

4. Why No Padlock?

Why No Padlock? helps to troubleshoot issues with fully implementing SSL on your website. If you are trying to implement SSL on your website and still unable to get the secured icon on the browser, this scanner can help you detect the issue. With this tool, you will be able to make your site fully SSL.

Why No Padlock

It is very easy to use. Just input your website and click on test page.

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • Mixed content checker
  • SSL certificate validation

5. WPScan

WPScan is a WordPress security scanner created by Automattic, the company that is behind WordPress.com and whose CEO, Matt Mullenweg, is the founder of WordPress.

This tool is suitable for scanning WordPress websites for security. If your website is built on WordPress then this tool can help you find WordPress related vulnerabilities. Please note that you should also use other security tools to check non WordPress related vulnerabilities.

WPScan

Using this tool requires a little technical knowledge, the code is available on Github to install on your server. If you are not comfortable with that you can use the official free plugin, WPScan – WordPress Security Scanner.

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • WordPress security checker
  • WordPress themes and plugins vulnerabilities check

6. Quttera

Quttera scans for malware and security vulnerabilities. Supported platforms include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, vBulletin, Sharepoint and DNN.

Quttera

This tool will scan your site and let you know your Google safe browsing status, Phishtank, StopBadware, Yandex safe browsing and more.

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • Malware and vulnerabilities check

7. Upguard

Upguard scans your website and then awards Instant Cyber Security Rating for your website. The ratings can range anywhere from 0 to 950.

Upguard

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • Security checker

8. Detectify

Detectify is a premium website security scanner that offers a very deep scan. It simulates hacker attacks using real payloads. Because of how the tests are run, the results are more accurate than most scanners.

Detectify

If you want to try them but not sure if it is worth it, they offer a 2 weeks free trial. You can take advantage of that to see if it meets your needs.

Key features:

  • 2-week free trial
  • Deep scan
  • Monitoring
  • Protection

9. Intruder

Intruder is an easy-to-use online vulnerability scanner. They offer the same scanning engine as banks, governments and other sensitive organizations. Intruder is a premium scanner and is recommended for high-end scanning.

Intruder

You can try them for 30 days free. There is no commitment and you can cancel at any time.

Key features:

  • 30-day free trial
  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Monitoring
  • Perimeter specific

10. SiteGuarding.com

SiteGuarding.com website security scanner checks website for malware, backdoors and blacklisting status. It is easy to use. Just enter your website and scan for free.

SiteGuarding.com

This website security scanner works well with WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, OsCommerce, vBulletin, phpBB and PrestaShop.

Key features:

  • Free to use
  • Malware check
  • Backdoors check
  • Malware cleanup (paid)

Conclusion

Scanning your website regularly is important if you scare about your business. Don’t joke with it. There is no favourite scanner, it all depends on your want. Go ahead and pick a scanner and know the status of your website’s security.

Mfon Abel Ekene

Mfon Abel Ekene

I enjoy creating contents that are helpful. My passion is helping the internet population find what they need by pointing them in the right direction. It is what I love doing and I put in many hours of research and testing to ensure I do just that through my content on TargetTrend.

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