{"id":220917,"date":"2025-02-03T13:38:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T13:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/essentials-by-digital-creatings\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T17:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T17:25:45","slug":"essentials-by-digital-creatings","status":"publish","type":"plugin","link":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/essentials-by-digital-creatings\/","author":6774772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"version":"2.0.0","stable_tag":"2.0.0","tested":"7.0","requires":"5.0","requires_php":"7.4","requires_plugins":null,"header_name":"Essentials by Digital Creatings","header_author":"Digital Creatings","header_description":"Lightweight security plugin that hides WordPress version info from source code, RSS feeds, scripts, and headers.","assets_banners_color":"817b77","last_updated":"2026-05-27 17:25:45","external_support_url":"","external_repository_url":"","donate_link":"","header_plugin_uri":"","header_author_uri":"https:\/\/www.digitalcreatings.com","rating":0,"author_block_rating":0,"active_installs":10,"downloads":890,"num_ratings":0,"support_threads":0,"support_threads_resolved":0,"author_block_count":0,"sections":["description","installation","faq","changelog"],"tags":{"1.0.1":{"tag":"1.0.1","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-03 13:52:09"},"1.2.0":{"tag":"1.2.0","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-03 13:46:54"},"1.2.1":{"tag":"1.2.1","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-03 13:52:09"},"1.2.2":{"tag":"1.2.2","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-03 14:10:15"},"1.3.0":{"tag":"1.3.0","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-04 09:52:01"},"1.3.1":{"tag":"1.3.1","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-11 20:57:16"},"1.3.2":{"tag":"1.3.2","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-11 21:08:09"},"1.4.0":{"tag":"1.4.0","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-20 12:21:57"},"1.4.1":{"tag":"1.4.1","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-20 12:21:57"},"1.4.2":{"tag":"1.4.2","author":"puneetbca","date":"2025-02-22 13:13:30"},"1.4.3":{"tag":"1.4.3","author":"puneetbca","date":"2026-05-27 16:47:36"},"2.0.0":{"tag":"2.0.0","author":"puneetbca","date":"2026-05-27 17:25:45"}},"upgrade_notice":{"2.0.0":"

Major UI refresh for WordPress 7.0. Safe to update<\/strong> \u2014 settings, SMTP config, and custom scripts are preserved. No migration required.<\/p>","1.4.3":"

Compatibility release for WordPress 7.0. Safe to update; no settings changes required.<\/p>","1.3":"

This update includes SMTP email configuration, login security, and additional security enhancements. Update now<\/strong> for improved security and performance.<\/p>"},"ratings":[],"assets_icons":{"icon-128x128.png":{"filename":"icon-128x128.png","revision":3234040,"resolution":"128x128","location":"assets","locale":"","width":128,"height":128}},"assets_banners":{"banner-1544x500.jpg":{"filename":"banner-1544x500.jpg","revision":3234187,"resolution":"1544x500","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1544,"height":500},"banner-1544x500.png":{"filename":"banner-1544x500.png","revision":3234037,"resolution":"1544x500","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1544,"height":500},"banner-772x250.jpg":{"filename":"banner-772x250.jpg","revision":3234187,"resolution":"772x250","location":"assets","locale":"","width":772,"height":250},"banner-772x250.png":{"filename":"banner-772x250.png","revision":3234187,"resolution":"772x250","location":"assets","locale":"","width":772,"height":250}},"assets_blueprints":{},"all_blocks":[],"tagged_versions":["1.0.1","1.2.0","1.2.1","1.2.2","1.3.0","1.3.1","1.3.2","1.4.0","1.4.1","1.4.2","1.4.3","2.0.0"],"block_files":[],"assets_screenshots":[],"screenshots":{"1":"Modern dashboard with quick links to all sections","2":"Security and performance settings","3":"SMTP email configuration and test mail","4":"Custom scripts manager"}},"plugin_section":[],"plugin_tags":[88985,264668,247,600,6696],"plugin_category":[54],"plugin_contributors":[86649],"plugin_business_model":[],"class_list":["post-220917","plugin","type-plugin","status-publish","hentry","plugin_tags-custom-scripts","plugin_tags-digital-creatings","plugin_tags-performance","plugin_tags-security","plugin_tags-smtp","plugin_category-security-and-spam-protection","plugin_contributors-puneetbca","plugin_committers-puneetbca"],"banners":{"banner":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/essentials-by-digital-creatings\/assets\/banner-772x250.png?rev=3234187","banner_2x":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/essentials-by-digital-creatings\/assets\/banner-1544x500.png?rev=3234037","banner_rtl":false,"banner_2x_rtl":false},"icons":{"svg":false,"icon":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/essentials-by-digital-creatings\/assets\/icon-128x128.png?rev=3234040","icon_2x":false,"generated":false},"screenshots":[],"raw_content":"\n

Essentials by Digital Creatings is a lightweight and powerful<\/strong> WordPress plugin designed to improve security, optimize performance, and enhance email functionality<\/strong>. It hides WordPress version exposure, hardens common attack surfaces, removes unnecessary bloat, and lets you configure SMTP<\/strong> and inject custom scripts<\/strong> from a single admin hub.<\/p>\n\n

New in Version 2.0:<\/strong>\n* Modern admin UI<\/strong> \u2014 Redesigned dashboard aligned with WordPress 6.x \/ 7.0 admin patterns\n* Self-hosted assets<\/strong> \u2014 No external Bootstrap CDN; faster and more privacy-friendly\n* Unified navigation<\/strong> \u2014 Quick access across Security, SMTP, and Custom Scripts\n* Backward compatible<\/strong> \u2014 All existing option keys, database tables, and front-end behavior preserved on upgrade<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udd12 Security + Optimization + Email + Custom Code<\/strong> in one plugin from Digital Creatings.<\/p>\n\n

Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udd39 Security Enhancements:<\/strong>\n- Disable XML-RPC to help prevent brute force attacks\n- Hide WordPress version details (meta, query strings, HTTP headers)\n- Remove REST API links to reduce exposure\n- Disable RSS feeds and feed links\n- Block self-pingbacks and comment spam\n- Remove RSD (Really Simple Discovery) link\n- Remove shortlinks for better privacy<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\ude80 Performance Optimizations:<\/strong>\n- Disable Emojis to reduce unnecessary script loads\n- Remove jQuery Migrate to improve front-end speed\n- Disable Google Maps API if unused\n- Remove WordPress embeds to prevent external content embedding<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udce7 SMTP Email Configuration:<\/strong>\n- Configure SMTP settings (Host, Port, Username, Password, Encryption)\n- Choose SMTP or default PHP mail\n- Set custom \"From Name\" and \"From Email\" for outgoing emails\n- Send test emails directly from the admin panel<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udcbb Custom Scripts:<\/strong>\n- Add header, body, or footer snippets\n- Target all pages or specific post\/page IDs\n- Stored in a dedicated database table (unchanged in 2.0)<\/p>\n\n

About Digital Creatings<\/h3>\n\n

Essentials by Digital Creatings<\/strong> is developed and maintained by Digital Creatings<\/a>, a company focused on reliable WordPress solutions for businesses and agencies.<\/p>\n\n

Website: https:\/\/www.digitalcreatings.com
\nSupport: https:\/\/www.digitalcreatings.com\/contact\/<\/p>\n\n

Support<\/h3>\n\n

For support, please visit Digital Creatings<\/a> or contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Upload the plugin folder to your \/wp-content\/plugins\/<\/code> directory.<\/li>\n
  2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins<\/strong> menu in WordPress.<\/li>\n
  3. Go to Essentials by DC<\/strong> in the WordPress admin panel.<\/li>\n
  4. Configure security, SMTP email, and custom scripts as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
    \n

    Who makes this plugin?<\/h3><\/dt>\n

    Essentials by Digital Creatings is a product of Digital Creatings<\/strong>. Visit https:\/\/www.digitalcreatings.com for more information and support.<\/p><\/dd>\n

    Will upgrading to 2.0 reset my settings?<\/h3><\/dt>\n

    No. Version 2.0 keeps the same WordPress options and custom scripts table. Your security toggles, SMTP credentials, and snippets remain intact after updating.<\/p><\/dd>\n

    How do I configure SMTP?<\/h3><\/dt>\n

    Navigate to Essentials by DC \u2192 SMTP Email<\/strong>, enter your SMTP details, save, then use Send Test Email<\/strong> to verify delivery.<\/p><\/dd>\n

    Will this plugin affect my site's speed?<\/h3><\/dt>\n

    The plugin can improve performance when optimization features are enabled (emojis, embeds, jQuery Migrate, etc.). Disabled features have no effect.<\/p><\/dd>\n\n<\/dl>\n\n\n

    2.0.0<\/h4>\n\n
      \n
    • New:<\/strong> Modern admin UI compatible with WordPress 7.0<\/li>\n
    • New:<\/strong> Self-hosted admin CSS\/JS (removed external Bootstrap CDN dependency)<\/li>\n
    • New:<\/strong> Unified navigation and card-based settings layout<\/li>\n
    • Improved:<\/strong> Dashboard welcome screen with feature overview<\/li>\n
    • Improved:<\/strong> SMTP and Custom Scripts admin experience<\/li>\n
    • Maintained:<\/strong> All existing option names, hooks, and front-end behavior for sites already using the plugin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      1.4.3<\/h4>\n\n
        \n
      • Tested compatibility with WordPress 7.0<\/li>\n
      • Updated minimum PHP requirement to 7.4 (aligned with WordPress 7.0)<\/li>\n
      • Improved admin asset loading on all plugin settings screens<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

        1.3<\/h4>\n\n
          \n
        • Added:<\/strong> SMTP Email Configuration (SMTP settings for outgoing emails)<\/li>\n
        • Added:<\/strong> Test Email Functionality (Send test emails from the admin panel)<\/li>\n
        • Added:<\/strong> Login Security (Customize login URL)<\/li>\n
        • Added:<\/strong> Disable RSS feeds, REST API links, and self-pingbacks<\/li>\n
        • Added:<\/strong> Remove jQuery Migrate, shortlink, RSD link, and embeds<\/li>\n
        • Improved:<\/strong> Performance optimizations for WordPress sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

          1.2.2<\/h4>\n\n
            \n
          • Added:<\/strong> Option to disable XML-RPC<\/li>\n
          • Added:<\/strong> Option to remove WordPress version information<\/li>\n
          • Improved:<\/strong> Security enhancements and settings page UI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

            1.2.1<\/h4>\n\n
              \n
            • Initial stable release with essential security and performance features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","raw_excerpt":"Lightweight WordPress essentials for security, performance, SMTP email, and custom code \u2014 built by Digital Creatings.","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin\/220917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/plugin"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=220917"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wporg\/v1\/users\/puneetbca"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=220917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"plugin_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_section?post=220917"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_tags?post=220917"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_category?post=220917"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_contributors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_contributors?post=220917"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_business_model","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pt-ao.wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_business_model?post=220917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}