Bluehost Malware Protection and WAF Review (2025)

When you launch a WordPress site, security might not be the first thing on your mind—but it should be.

In 2025, with automated bots scanning millions of sites daily and malware threats more sophisticated than ever, choosing a host with built-in security features is no longer optional.

Bluehost now offers malware protection and a Web Application Firewall (WAF) on most plans. But is that enough to keep your website safe—or do you need more?

This guide breaks down:

What Bluehost includes by default for security
How malware protection and WAF work
Who needs additional protection (and who doesn’t)
Real-world use cases where Bluehost’s security helped—or fell short

Let’s break it all down so you can secure your site with confidence.

👉 Bluehost offers malware protection and WAF for free on Choice Plus, Online Store, and Pro plans.

🎯 Start Bluehost Hosting with Built-In Malware Protection – Just $1.99/month
Includes SSL, backups, CDN, daily scans, and more.

This side-by-side Bluehost pricing comparison helps you avoid confusion when selecting your plan. Once you’re ready, don’t miss this Bluehost coupon for instant savings—no promo code needed.

Table of Contents

What Is Malware Protection and WAF? (Beginner-Friendly Explanation)

Let’s simplify the two key terms Bluehost uses to describe its built-in security: Malware Protection and Web Application Firewall (WAF).

🔐 What Is Malware Protection?

Malware stands for “malicious software.” It includes things like:

Code injections
Redirect viruses
Spam scripts
Trojans and phishing code
SEO spam links and cloaked redirects

These can harm your website, steal data, ruin your search rankings, or even get your domain blacklisted by Google.

Bluehost’s malware protection automatically scans your website’s core files, themes, and plugins daily for signs of such threats. If anything suspicious is found:

You’ll receive an alert in your dashboard or email
In higher plans (like Online Store and Pro), Bluehost offers automatic malware removal

🔥 What Is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

A Web Application Firewall sits between your website and the internet. It inspects every incoming request and blocks suspicious traffic before it reaches your server.

Bluehost’s WAF protects you from:

SQL injections
Cross-site scripting (XSS)
Brute-force login attempts
Known bot attacks
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) requests

Think of WAF as your first line of defense—stopping hackers before they even get a chance to attack.

💡 Bluehost includes this feature by default in mid-tier and premium plans—no setup needed.

👉 Want hosting that defends your site without needing plugins?

💥 Get Bluehost Hosting with Malware Protection + WAF – Just $1.99/month
Includes daily scans, free SSL, CDN, and backup tools.

What Security Features Are Included in Bluehost Plans (And What’s Missing)

Bluehost offers a decent security bundle with its mid-tier and higher hosting plans—but not all features are available across the board. Let’s break down what you get (and what you don’t) by plan.

✅ Included Security Features (Choice Plus, Online Store, Pro)

Security Feature	Available?
Free SSL Certificate	✅ Yes – All Plans
Daily Malware Scanning	✅ Yes
Malware Detection & Alerts	✅ Yes
Malware Auto Removal	✅ Yes (Pro & Store)
Web Application Firewall (WAF)	✅ Yes
DDoS Protection	✅ Yes
Domain Privacy (1st Year)	✅ Yes
Daily Website Backups	✅ Yes
1-Click Site Restore	✅ Yes

These features provide a strong first layer of defense, especially for WordPress users who want protection without installing third-party security plugins.

⚠️ What’s Missing (Or Paid)

Advanced Protection	Available?
Real-time Threat Blocking	❌ No – Use plugins
Advanced Firewall Customization	❌ No
Brute-force Login Rate Limiting	❌ Not by default
Uptime Monitoring	❌ No – External tool
Security Logs or Activity Alerts	❌ No native logs

For mission-critical sites or larger businesses, you may still want to install plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security Pro for extra visibility and control.

🧠 Bluehost keeps security hands-off and easy—but power users may want more customization.

🎯 Try Bluehost Hosting with Built-In Protection for Just $1.99/month
Get started with pre-configured malware defense and WAF, no setup needed.

Do You Still Need a Security Plugin with Bluehost? (Honest Advice)

Bluehost’s built-in malware protection and firewall give you strong foundational security—but whether that’s enough depends on your site’s complexity and risk level.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

✅ You’re Fine Without Extra Plugins If You:

Have a basic blog, portfolio, or service site
Rarely install new plugins or themes
Use Bluehost’s Online Store or Pro plan with malware auto-removal
Already follow security best practices (strong passwords, no nulled themes)

In these cases, Bluehost’s WAF, free SSL, daily backups, and malware scanning are often enough.

🚨 You Should Add a Security Plugin If You:

1. Run WooCommerce or Membership Sites
You’re handling transactions, logins, or customer data—don’t take chances. Use something like Wordfence for login security, audit trails, and rate limiting.

2. Use Lots of Third-Party Plugins
More plugins = more chances for vulnerabilities. Plugins like Sucuri offer deeper file integrity checks and real-time alerts.

3. Want Activity Logs or Login Tracking
Bluehost doesn’t show you who logged in, what was changed, or when files were edited. Security plugins fill that gap.

4. Need Country Blocking or IP Whitelisting
Advanced firewall control is not available by default on Bluehost—you’ll need a plugin for that level of customization.

Bluehost gives you a great head start. But for high-risk or high-value sites, a plugin adds an extra lock on the door.

🎯 Want automatic protection out of the box?

👉 Get Bluehost Hosting with Built-In Malware Scanning + WAF – $1.99/month
Includes SSL, CDN, daily backups, and optional plugin compatibility.

Conclusion: Is Bluehost Security Enough for Most Sites in 2025?

If you’re a beginner, blogger, freelancer, or small business owner looking for simple, reliable security without complicated setup, Bluehost gives you everything you need out of the box.

You get:

✅ Free SSL and domain privacy
✅ Daily malware scanning
✅ A built-in Web Application Firewall (WAF)
✅ DDoS protection and auto-updates
✅ Free backups and restore options (on higher plans)

For many users, this is more than enough to protect your WordPress site from common threats.

But if your website handles sensitive data, runs a large store, or is a prime target for bots—adding a dedicated security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri is a smart move.

Bluehost’s protection gets the job done quietly in the background. And for most users in 2025, that’s exactly what you want.

🔐 Want Hosting That Secures Your Site Without Complexity?

👉 Start with Bluehost at $1.99/month + Free Malware Protection + WAF
Includes:

Free domain for 1 year
Built-in backups, firewall, and malware scanning
One-click WordPress setup and 24/7 support

Read Detailed Review of Bluehost Hosting Services

FAQs: Bluehost Malware Protection & Security

Does Bluehost include malware protection?

Yes. Bluehost scans your site daily for malware and offers alerts—and on higher-tier plans, automatic removal.

Is a Web Application Firewall (WAF) included with Bluehost?

Yes. Bluehost includes WAF on mid-tier plans to block SQL injections, DDoS attempts, and other web-based threats.

Do I still need a plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri?

If you run a large, dynamic site or want advanced logs, rate limiting, and firewall control, yes—it’s recommended.

Is Bluehost safe for beginners?

Absolutely. Bluehost’s built-in protection makes it ideal for new site owners who want hassle-free security without technical knowledge.

Bluehost Malware Protection and WAF Review 2025 (Do You Really Need It?)