# Installation Installation # System Requirements ## What This Covers This page outlines the minimum and recommended requirements for running Steel Security effectively. Steel Security is designed to work in real-world hosting environments, including shared hosting, while still providing meaningful security insights and safe hardening options. --- ## Minimum Requirements Steel Security requires a standard, modern WordPress environment. - WordPress 6.0 or newer - PHP 8.0 or newer - MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB equivalent - Ability to install and activate WordPress plugins Most managed WordPress hosts and modern shared hosting environments will meet these requirements. --- ## Recommended Environment For the best experience and full feature support: - WordPress 6.4+ - PHP 8.2+ - MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.6+ - HTTPS enabled - Access to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, or equivalent) This ensures compatibility with all checks and hardening features, and improves performance and reliability. --- ## Supported Hosting Environments Steel Security is designed to function across a wide range of hosting setups: - Shared hosting (including cPanel environments) - VPS and dedicated servers - Managed WordPress hosting platforms Where server-level access is limited, Steel Security will still provide guidance and apply changes where possible. --- ## Web Server Compatibility Steel Security is server-aware and adapts its behavior based on your environment. Supported servers include: - Apache - Nginx - Microsoft IIS Some hardening features may behave differently depending on server capabilities and configuration. --- ## File System Access Steel Security requires standard WordPress-level file access. - Ability to read WordPress files and directories - Ability to write to specific locations when applying hardening If your file system is locked down or read-only, some hardening features may not be available. --- ## Outbound Connectivity Steel Security connects to the licensing system for activation and validation. Your server must be able to: - make outbound HTTPS requests - resolve external domains If outbound connections are blocked, activation and licensing features will not function. --- ## Permissions and Security Restrictions Some hosting environments impose restrictions that may affect functionality. These may include: - disabled PHP functions - restricted file permissions - limited access to server configuration Steel Security will continue to operate where possible and will provide guidance when a feature cannot be applied automatically. --- ## Performance Considerations Steel Security is designed to be lightweight and efficient. - Scans are targeted and do not continuously run in the background - No persistent high-load processes - No traffic filtering or firewall overhead This makes Steel Security suitable for both small sites and larger deployments. --- ## When Requirements Are Not Met If your environment does not meet certain requirements: - some checks may be skipped - some hardening features may be unavailable - guidance may be provided instead of automated fixes Steel Security will not attempt unsafe changes or force incompatible behavior. --- ## Related - [Installing the Plugin](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/installing-the-plugin) - [Running Your First Scan](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/running-your-first-scan) - [Server and Hosting Issues](https://docs.steelsecurity.com/books/troubleshooting/chapter/server-and-hosting-issues) # Installing the Plugin ## What This Covers This guide walks you through installing the Steel Security plugin on your WordPress site. Steel Security installs like any standard WordPress plugin and does not require any special configuration to get started. --- ## Before You Begin Ensure your site meets the minimum system requirements: - WordPress 6.0 or newer - PHP 8.0 or newer - Administrator access to your WordPress dashboard If you're unsure, see the **System Requirements** page for full details. --- ## Install via WordPress Admin (Recommended) This is the fastest and most common method. 1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard 2. Navigate to **Plugins → Add New** 3. Search for **Steel Security** 4. Click **Install Now** 5. Click **Activate** Once activated, Steel Security will appear in your admin menu. --- ## Install via Plugin Upload Use this method if you have downloaded the plugin manually. 1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard 2. Navigate to **Plugins → Add New** 3. Click **Upload Plugin** 4. Select the Steel Security `.zip` file 5. Click **Install Now** 6. Click **Activate** --- ## After Installation Once the plugin is activated: - Steel Security will be available in your WordPress admin menu - You can access the dashboard immediately - No configuration is required before running your first scan At this point, Steel Security is ready to use. --- ## What to Expect On first access: - Steel Security may prompt you to activate your license - You will be able to run your first scan immediately - No automatic changes are made to your site Steel Security does not modify your site until you explicitly apply hardening actions. --- ## Common Issues ### Plugin does not appear after activation - Ensure activation completed successfully - Refresh the admin dashboard - Check for plugin conflicts --- ### Installation fails - Verify your PHP and WordPress versions meet requirements - Check file upload limits if using manual upload - Confirm your hosting environment allows plugin installation --- ### Permission errors - Ensure WordPress has permission to install plugins - Check file ownership and permissions on your server --- ## When to Use Each Installation Method - Use **WordPress Admin install** for most cases - Use **manual upload** if you have a direct download or restricted plugin access --- ## What to Do Next After installation: 1. Activate your Steel Security license **Note:** License activation is only required for Steel Security Pro. 2. Run your first scan 3. Review findings and next steps --- ## Related - [System Requirements](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/system-requirements) - [Activating Steel Security](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/activating-steel-security) - [Running Your First Scan](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/running-your-first-scan) # Activating Steel Security ## What This Covers This guide explains how to activate Steel Security and connect your site to your account. --- ## Do You Need to Activate? Steel Security can be used without activation in its free version. **Pro Feature:** Requires an active Steel Security license. If you are using Steel Security Pro features, activation is required. --- ## How to Activate Steel Security 1. In your WordPress admin, navigate to **Steel Security → Dashboard** 2. Locate the **License / Activation** section 3. Enter your Steel Security account credentials or license key 4. Click **Activate** Once successful, your site will be linked to your Steel Security account. --- ## What Happens During Activation - Your site is connected to your Steel Security account - Pro features become available (if applicable) - Secure communication with the licensing system is enabled No changes are made to your site during activation. --- ## What to Expect After Activation - Activation status is visible in the dashboard - Pro features are enabled - The plugin will validate your license automatically --- ## Common Issues ### Activation Failed - Verify your credentials or license key - Ensure your license is active - Confirm your site has internet access --- ### Unable to Connect to License Server - Check outbound HTTPS connectivity - Review firewall or hosting restrictions --- ## What to Do Next After activation: 1. Run your first scan 2. Review findings 3. Begin applying hardening --- ## Related - [Running Your First Scan](https://docs.steelwp.com/books/getting-started/page/running-your-first-scan) - [Licensing and Activations](https://docs.steelsecurity.com/books/licensing-and-activations)