Connecting the BugShield WordPress Plugin

Shield Light and Shield Pro use the BugShield WordPress plugin to send health information securely and create off-site backups. One-off fixes do not require the plugin.

Before you begin

• Select the correct maintenance site in the BugShield workspace selector. See Managing Multiple Sites if your account contains more than one domain.
• Make sure you have administrator access to the site’s WordPress dashboard so you can install and activate the plugin.
• Keep WordPress and BugShield open in the same browser while you complete the connection.

Download and install

1. In your BugShield dashboard, select Download plugin. If the prompt is not visible, open Settings > Login & Security > WordPress plugin.
2. In WordPress, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin > Upload Plugin.
3. Select the downloaded ZIP file, install it and activate it.
4. After activation, WordPress should open the BugShield settings page automatically. If it does not, hover over Settings in the WordPress sidebar and select BugShield.
5. Select Connect, sign in to BugShield if asked and confirm the displayed domain.

Confirm the connection

The dashboard should show the plugin as Connected. Monitoring begins collecting uptime, security, performance and technical SEO information. The first automated backup is then queued for the connected maintenance site.

If connection fails

• Confirm that the WordPress domain matches the active BugShield workspace.
• Update and reactivate the plugin, then open Settings > BugShield and try connecting again.
• Check whether a security plugin, firewall or hosting rule is blocking the connection.
• Open subscriber support if the site is on a maintenance plan.

Revoking access

You can revoke the active connection from Login & Security. Monitoring, automated backups, manual backups and dashboard restores require the plugin connection. If you disconnect a site with an active maintenance plan, reconnect it to resume these services.