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It combines file and folder auditing, Site Lock protection, security hardening tools, infection scanning, and the Watch Dog monitoring system into one WordPress security suite.<\/p>\n\n<p>Over time, WordPress sites often collect leftover plugin folders, abandoned theme files, old uploads, temporary files, suspicious scripts, and other items that are easy to miss. These files can create confusion, waste storage, and in some cases create security risks. Guard Dog helps identify those files so administrators can view, download, ignore, delete, or investigate them.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>SITE LOCK - Only found here!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>One of the easiest ways for a compromised user or attacker to damage a WordPress site is by adding, changing, or deleting physical files. The <strong>Site Lock<\/strong> feature helps protect against this by allowing you to lock folders and files so they become read-only.<\/p>\n\n<p>When Site Lock is active, protected files and folders cannot be changed through normal write operations. This helps prevent unwanted file additions, code changes, injected scripts, and unauthorized deletions. When updates or maintenance are needed, you can unlock the site, perform the changes, and then apply Site Lock again.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Watch Dog File Change Monitor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>A trusted baseline system for detecting file changes across your WordPress installation.<\/p>\n\n<p>Watch Dog allows you to create a trusted snapshot of your site files. Future scans compare the current file state against that trusted baseline and report anything that is new, modified, or deleted. This helps you quickly identify unexpected changes after updates, maintenance, malware cleanup, or suspicious activity.<\/p>\n\n<p>Watch Dog File Change Monitor includes:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Trusted baseline creation and rebuilding<\/li>\n<li>Manual file change scans<\/li>\n<li>Scheduled file change scans<\/li>\n<li>Email alerts when file changes are detected<\/li>\n<li>Detection for new, modified, and deleted files<\/li>\n<li>File risk labeling<\/li>\n<li>File preview and detail modal<\/li>\n<li>Download detected files for review<\/li>\n<li>Approve trusted changes<\/li>\n<li>Delete unwanted detected files<\/li>\n<li>Bulk actions for faster review<\/li>\n<li>Baseline exclusions for folders and individual files<\/li>\n<li>Automatic exclusion of internal Watch Dog storage files<\/li>\n<li>Protected baseline storage under wp-content\/uploads\/guard-dog\/watch-dog\/<\/li>\n<li>AJAX actions with loading overlay and in-page confirmations<\/li>\n<li>Site Lock compatibility so Watch Dog can still write to its protected storage location<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Watch Dog Core Check<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>A WordPress core integrity tool that compares installed WordPress core files against the official WordPress.org checksum API.<\/p>\n\n<p>Core Check is designed to verify WordPress core areas only. It checks WordPress root core files, wp-admin, and wp-includes. It does not scan plugins, themes, uploads, custom content, or bundled wp-content files as part of the core verification.<\/p>\n\n<p>Watch Dog Core Check can report:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Modified WordPress core files<\/li>\n<li>Missing WordPress core files<\/li>\n<li>Unreadable WordPress core files<\/li>\n<li>Unexpected files found inside core areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Core Check includes:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Manual core integrity checks<\/li>\n<li>Scheduled core checks<\/li>\n<li>Email alerts when core issues are found<\/li>\n<li>Branded core issue notification emails<\/li>\n<li>Styled results table matching the Watch Dog interface<\/li>\n<li>View, download, delete, and ignore actions for reported files<\/li>\n<li>Dedicated Core Check settings for schedule and email recipient<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Folder &amp; File Auditor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Guard Dog takes a disk-first approach. It crawls your WordPress installation and inventories files and folders in important areas of the site. This makes it possible to identify hidden files, orphaned plugin folders, leftover theme folders, unexpected PHP files in uploads, .htaccess files, and other items that may not appear in the normal WordPress admin screens.<\/p>\n\n<p>This plugin audits the following areas:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>WordPress Root directory<\/li>\n<li>wp-content directory<\/li>\n<li>Plugins directory<\/li>\n<li>Themes directory<\/li>\n<li>Uploads directory<\/li>\n<li>.htaccess files<\/li>\n<li>Database tables<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Security Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>Guard Dog also includes practical tools for cleanup, investigation, and hardening:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>File Finder &amp; Remover<\/li>\n<li>Blacklist Checker<\/li>\n<li>SSL Checker<\/li>\n<li>Plugin Refresher<\/li>\n<li>Security Headers<\/li>\n<li>User Security Enhancements<\/li>\n<li>Infection Scanner<\/li>\n<li>Exportable audit and security reports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lock site files and folders with Site Lock<\/li>\n<li>Audit WordPress root, wp-content, plugins, themes, uploads, and .htaccess files<\/li>\n<li>Detect hidden, orphaned, or unexpected plugin and theme folders<\/li>\n<li>Detect PHP files inside uploads<\/li>\n<li>View, download, ignore, include, or delete files from the dashboard<\/li>\n<li>Scan for suspicious files using the Infection Scanner<\/li>\n<li>Run database infection scans for harmful data<\/li>\n<li>Configure security headers<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen user security settings<\/li>\n<li>Reinstall clean plugin copies with Plugin Refresher<\/li>\n<li>Check SSL certificate details<\/li>\n<li>Check blacklist and reputation status<\/li>\n<li>Create Watch Dog file baselines<\/li>\n<li>Detect new, modified, and deleted files<\/li>\n<li>Verify WordPress core files with the official checksum API<\/li>\n<li>Schedule Watch Dog file change scans and Core Check scans<\/li>\n<li>Send branded email alerts when issues are found<\/li>\n<li>Use AJAX-powered admin navigation and action overlays<\/li>\n<li>Export reports for review or record keeping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<!--section=installation-->\n<ol>\n<li>Upload the plugin files to the \/wp-content\/plugins\/ directory, or install through the WordPress Plugins screen.<\/li>\n<li>Activate the plugin through the <strong>Plugins<\/strong> screen in WordPress.<\/li>\n<li>Navigate to <strong>Guard Dog<\/strong> to begin auditing and protecting your site.<\/li>\n<li>Use <strong>Site Lock<\/strong> to lock files when your site is clean and stable.<\/li>\n<li>Use <strong>Watch Dog &gt; File Change Monitor<\/strong> to create a trusted baseline and scan for file changes.<\/li>\n<li>Use <strong>Watch Dog &gt; Core Check<\/strong> to verify WordPress core file integrity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<!--section=faq-->\n<dl>\n<dt id=\"why%20do%20i%20need%20this%20plugin%3F\"><h3>Why do I need this plugin?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Guard Dog helps you identify leftover folders, suspicious files, unexpected changes, weak security settings, and WordPress core file issues. It gives administrators better visibility into what exists on the server and what may need review.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20guard%20dog%20automatically%20delete%20orphaned%20folders%20or%20suspicious%20files%3F\"><h3>Does Guard Dog automatically delete orphaned folders or suspicious files?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>No. Guard Dog is built to help you review and take informed action. Files and folders are shown with action buttons so you can decide whether to view, download, ignore, include, delete, or approve them.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"what%20is%20site%20lock%3F\"><h3>What is Site Lock?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Site Lock makes protected files and folders read-only to help prevent unauthorized changes. You can unlock the site when updates or maintenance are needed, then lock it again when finished.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"what%20is%20watch%20dog%20file%20change%20monitor%3F\"><h3>What is Watch Dog File Change Monitor?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Watch Dog File Change Monitor creates a trusted baseline of your site files. Future scans compare the current site against that baseline and report new, modified, or deleted files.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"what%20is%20watch%20dog%20core%20check%3F\"><h3>What is Watch Dog Core Check?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Watch Dog Core Check compares your installed WordPress core files against the official WordPress.org checksum API. It helps detect modified, missing, unreadable, or unexpected files in WordPress core areas.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20core%20check%20scan%20plugins%20and%20themes%3F\"><h3>Does Core Check scan plugins and themes?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>No. Core Check only verifies WordPress core files in the WordPress root, wp-admin, and wp-includes areas. Plugins, themes, uploads, and custom content are handled by other Guard Dog tools.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"will%20watch%20dog%20work%20when%20site%20lock%20is%20enabled%3F\"><h3>Will Watch Dog work when Site Lock is enabled?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Yes. Watch Dog stores baseline and scan data in its protected uploads storage folder, and Guard Dog allows that required Watch Dog path to remain writable while Site Lock is active.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"where%20is%20watch%20dog%20baseline%20data%20stored%3F\"><h3>Where is Watch Dog baseline data stored?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Watch Dog stores protected baseline data under wp-content\/uploads\/guard-dog\/watch-dog\/. This keeps baseline data outside the plugin folder so it is not removed during plugin updates.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20watch%20dog%20email%20me%20when%20file%20changes%20or%20core%20issues%20are%20found%3F\"><h3>Does Watch Dog email me when file changes or core issues are found?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Yes. File Change Monitor and Core Check each include email alert settings. Emails are sent only when the related scan finds issues.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"will%20this%20slow%20down%20my%20website%20frontend%3F\"><h3>Will this slow down my website frontend?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>No. Guard Dog tools run inside the WordPress admin area and do not run on the public frontend during normal page visits.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20it%20work%20on%20multisite%3F\"><h3>Does it work on multisite?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Guard Dog is currently designed for single-site WordPress installations. Multisite support may be added in a future release.<\/p><\/dd>\n\n<\/dl>\n\n<!--section=changelog-->\n<h4>7.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added Watch Dog File Change Monitor.<\/li>\n<li>Added trusted file baseline creation and rebuild workflow.<\/li>\n<li>Added file change scanning for new, modified, and deleted files.<\/li>\n<li>Added scheduled Watch Dog file change scans.<\/li>\n<li>Added branded email alerts when file changes are detected.<\/li>\n<li>Added Watch Dog detected changes review table with view, download, approve, delete, and bulk actions.<\/li>\n<li>Added file details modal with readable size and modified date values.<\/li>\n<li>Added expandable file paths for long detected file paths.<\/li>\n<li>Added baseline exclusions for folders, individual files, wildcards, and server paths.<\/li>\n<li>Added protected Watch Dog baseline storage under wp-content\/uploads\/guard-dog\/watch-dog\/.<\/li>\n<li>Added Site Lock compatibility for Watch Dog storage while Site Lock is enabled.<\/li>\n<li>Added automatic internal exclusions for Watch Dog storage, report helpers, and error_log files.<\/li>\n<li>Added AJAX actions and loading overlays for baseline creation, baseline deletion, baseline rebuilds, and change scans.<\/li>\n<li>Added scan completion scrolling and success confirmation messages.<\/li>\n<li>Added Watch Dog Core Check.<\/li>\n<li>Added WordPress core file verification against the official WordPress.org checksum API.<\/li>\n<li>Added detection for modified, missing, unreadable, and unexpected WordPress core files.<\/li>\n<li>Added Core Check review actions to view, download, delete, and ignore reported files.<\/li>\n<li>Added scheduled Core Check scans.<\/li>\n<li>Added branded Core Check email alerts when core issues are found.<\/li>\n<li>Added dedicated Core Check settings for scan frequency, email alerts, and recipient.<\/li>\n<li>Updated Watch Dog navigation with File Change Monitor and Core Check tools.<\/li>\n<li>Improved Watch Dog styling, buttons, cards, status badges, modals, and admin workflow.<\/li>\n<li>Improved AJAX navigation and pagination handling.<\/li>\n<li>Improved compatibility with Plugin Check security and coding standard recommendations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.8<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Now compatible with hosting environments that auto lock WordPress core files.<\/li>\n<li>Improved site lock conditions to isolate certain folders and files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.7<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Removed Site Lock status in admin bar on site frontend.<\/li>\n<li>Added bulk database actions to infection scanner.<\/li>\n<li>Added select file actions to file remover tool.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed auto lock\/unlock with MainWP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Made plugin code run only in admin area where needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed styling issue on scanner page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added a database infection scanner to find harmful data.<\/li>\n<li>Added a setting to disable the admin bar Site Lock status display.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Corrected typo in plugin description.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added AJAX loading content notice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>6.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Changed user interface to AJAX for faster navigation on Guard Dog pages.<\/li>\n<li>Added SSL checker tool to get details about the site SSL certificate.<\/li>\n<li>Improved infection scanner and added saved previous scan view.<\/li>\n<li>Made all tables responsive on all screen sizes.<\/li>\n<li>Improved blacklist checker tool.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added scheduled infection scans emailed directly to designated email addresses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added additional lock exceptions for folders that need write permissions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Improved API REST endpoint call for cache bypass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed permissions issue with Site Lock and MainWP.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added integration with MainWP to manage Site Lock during remote updates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added a plugin refresher to reinstall fresh plugins when the current version is corrupted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>5.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added an all-new Tools section to expand WordPress site auditing capabilities.<\/li>\n<li>Introduced the Find &amp; Remove Files tool for locating, filtering, and deleting unwanted or suspicious files.<\/li>\n<li>Added a built-in Blacklist Checker to scan URLs, domains, and site status against major reputation lists.<\/li>\n<li>Added internal optimizations for future feature expansion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.9.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Can now exclude single plugins from Site Lock.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.9.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added new infection patterns to reduce false positives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.9<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added new infection patterns to find bad files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.8<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added new infection patterns to find bad files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.7<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Improved scanner performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added new infection patterns to find bad files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Temporarily removed MainWP integration to correct timeout issues during updates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added new infection patterns to find bad files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Set up MainWP bridge for unlock\/relock when running updates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Minor style changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added Site Lock Auto Enable.<\/li>\n<li>Added automated security reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>4.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rebranded plugin as a full security suite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.7<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Updated infection scanner patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added infection scanner for site files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed bulk delete action.<\/li>\n<li>Updated button styling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.4.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed report fatal error.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.4.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed report hyperlinks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.4.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed font styling on report download.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.4.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed typo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added ability to download folder audit and security report.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added per-folder lock exclusion.<\/li>\n<li>Added new UI on main menu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added locked item count to dashboard display.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed Site Health issue when Site Lock is on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>3.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added user security settings to lock down account attacks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.9.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added Site Lock under Tools menu.<\/li>\n<li>Added area for new settings tab.<\/li>\n<li>Added dropdown to security tab.<\/li>\n<li>Added style changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.9.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Corrected bulk delete actions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.9.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Enhanced Site Lock conditioning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.9.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed conflict with WP Rollback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.9<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added view file action buttons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.8<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>UI improvements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.7<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed security header defaults.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed bulk ignore and delete functions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added security area to lock folders and files and set security headers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>2.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>New UI.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.3.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Improved plugin header and descriptions.<\/li>\n<li>Added Author URI and GPL license URI.<\/li>\n<li>Enhanced escaping for better security compliance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.3.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added auditing of wp-content and WordPress root folder.<\/li>\n<li>Improved error handling for unreadable directories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.2.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added uploads and themes auditing.<\/li>\n<li>Improved plugin rows to match the Plugins screen exactly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.0.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Initial release. 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