=== Essentials by Digital Creatings ===
Contributors: puneetbca
Tags: security, performance, SMTP, login security, security headers
Requires at least: 5.0
Tested up to: 6.7
Requires PHP: 7.2
Stable tag: 1.3.2
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Lightweight plugin by Digital Creatings that hides WordPress version info from source code, RSS feeds, scripts & HTTP headers for better protection.

== Description ==

Essentials by Digital Creatings is a **lightweight and powerful** WordPress plugin designed to **improve security, optimize performance, and enhance email functionality**. This plugin provides essential security features, removes unnecessary WordPress bloat, and allows you to **customize SMTP settings for email delivery**.

**New in Version 1.3:**
✔ **SMTP Email Configuration** – Set up SMTP credentials for outgoing emails  
✔ **Test Email Feature** – Send test emails directly from the admin panel  
✔ **Login Security** – Customize the login URL to enhance security (Coming soon)  
✔ **Additional Security Features** – Disable REST API links, self-pingbacks, and Google Maps  
✔ **Improved Performance** – Remove jQuery Migrate, RSD links, shortlinks, and embed scripts  

🔒 **Security + Optimization + Email Control** in one plugin!


**Features:**
🔹 **Security Enhancements:**
- Disable XML-RPC to prevent brute force attacks
- Hide WordPress version details (meta, query strings, HTTP headers)
- Remove REST API links to reduce exposure
- Disable RSS feeds and feed links
- Block self-pingbacks and comment spam
- Remove RSD (Really Simple Discovery) link
- Remove shortlinks for better privacy

🚀 **Performance Optimizations:**
- Disable Emojis to reduce unnecessary script loads
- Remove jQuery Migrate to improve front-end speed
- Disable Google Maps API if unused
- Remove WordPress embeds to prevent external content embedding

📧 **SMTP Email Configuration:**
- Configure SMTP settings (Host, Port, Username, Password, Encryption)
- Set custom "From Name" and "From Email" for outgoing emails
- Send test emails directly from the admin panel

🔐 **Login Security:**
- Customize the WordPress login URL to prevent brute force attacks

== New Features in 1.3 ==
🆕 **SMTP Email Configuration** – Custom SMTP settings for all WordPress emails  
🆕 **Test Email Functionality** – Verify email settings with a test email feature  
🆕 **Login Security** – Customize the login URL for added security  
🆕 **Security Enhancements** – Disable RSS feeds, REST API links, and more  
🆕 **Performance Boost** – Remove jQuery Migrate, Google Maps, and WordPress embeds  

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin to your `/wp-content/plugins/` directory.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
3. Go to **"Essentials by DC"** in the WordPress admin panel.
4. Configure security, SMTP email settings, and login security options.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

**Q: How do I configure SMTP?**  
A: Navigate to **"Essentials by DC" → "SMTP Email"**, enter your SMTP details, and save settings.

**Q: How do I rename my login URL?**  
A: Go to **"Essentials by DC" → "Login Security"**, set a custom login slug, and save settings.

**Q: Will this plugin affect my site's speed?**  
A: No! The plugin improves performance by disabling unnecessary WordPress scripts and headers.

== Changelog ==

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

= 1.2.2 =
- **Added:** Option to disable XML-RPC
- **Added:** Option to remove WordPress version information
- **Improved:** Security enhancements and settings page UI

= 1.2.1 =
- Initial stable release with essential security and performance features.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.3 =
This update includes SMTP email configuration, login security, and additional security enhancements. **Update now** for improved security and performance.

== Support ==

For support, please visit [Digital Creatings](https://www.digitalcreatings.com).