Headless REST API Security - Complete Description
Category: WordPress Plugins • Platform: PHP
Headless REST API Security is the “Swiss Army Knife” of API protection for WordPress.
If you are running a Headless WordPress site (Next.js, Gatsby, Nuxt, or Mobile App), your REST API is exposed to the public by default. This leaves your data vulnerable to scrapers, bots, and unauthorized users.
Headless REST API Security solves this instantly. It is the FIRST and ONLY plugin designed specifically to lock down Headless architectures with a “Strict Whitelist” model. We give you the power to disable ALL API routes by default and only allow exactly what your app needs.
📺 Video Tutorial: How to Configure
Watch this step-by-step guide to see how to lock down your API in under 2 minutes:
🛑 STOP unauthorized data scraping.
🔒 SECURE your content and user data.
🚀 BOOST performance by blocking bad requests.
🚀 Why Headless REST API Security is the Best Choice?
We didn’t just build a security plugin; we built a Headless Firewall. Unlike generic security plugins that only look for malware, we control the flow of data itself.
- 🛡️ Strict Security Mode (Whitelist): The only plugin that blocks 100% of API requests by default. You choose what to unlock.
- ↩️ Smart Headless Redirects: Automatically redirects visitors who find your backend URL (e.g.,
api.yoursite.com) directly to your frontend (e.g.,www.yoursite.com). - 🔑 API Key Authentication: Secure your mobile apps and frontend fetch requests with a simple, secure
X-API-KEYheader. - ⚡ Blazing Fast Performance: Runs before WordPress loads most core files, ensuring blocked requests don’t slow down your server.
- 🕵️ Admin Bypass: Smart detection allows logged-in Administrators to use the WP Dashboard and Gutenberg Block Editor without interruption.
🔥 Features at a Glance
- 1-Click Lockdown: Instantly secure your entire REST API.
- Route-Level Control: Enable specific endpoints like
/wp/v2/postswhile keeping/wp/v2/usershidden. - Smart Grouping: Automatically groups routes (Core vs. Plugins) for easy management.
- Domain Binding: Restrict API access to only your frontend domain.
- Plugin Compatibility: Works perfectly with Rank Math, WooCommerce, Contact Form 7, and ACF.
- Developer Friendly: Clean code, native WordPress hooks, and zero bloat.
💡 Perfect For:
- Headless Sites: Next.js, Gatsby, Frontity, Faust.js, Nuxt.js.
- Mobile Applications: React Native, Flutter, iOS, Android.
- Static Sites: Jamstack architectures needing secure dynamic data.
- Intranets: Private internal dashboards.
🏗️ How It Works
- Activate the plugin.
- Turn On the “Master Switch” to block all public access.
- Whitelist only the routes your frontend needs (e.g.,
/wp/v2/posts). - Add your API Key to your frontend environment variables.
- Relax! Your API is now invisible to the rest of the world.
“Security is not an option; it’s a necessity. Headless REST API Security makes it simple.”
❤️ Love Headless REST API Security?
If this plugin helped you secure your site, please rate us 5 stars on WordPress.org! It helps us keep updates coming.
Configuration
1. Headless Redirect (New)
Enter your frontend URL (e.g., https://www.mysite.com) in the “Headless Frontend URL” field.
* Visitors to your API site will now be redirected there.
* /wp-admin and /wp-json requests are excluded from redirection.
2. Whitelisting Routes
Check the “ALLOW” box next to any route you want to make public (to your frontend).
* Note: You must enable the “Master Switch” for the blocking to take effect.
3. Setting up the API Key
Copy the API Key generated in the settings page. Add it to your frontend requests header:
X-API-KEY: your_secret_key_here
Contact
Author: Md. Rakib Ullah
Email: rakib417@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakib417/
