=== Essentials by Digital Creatings === Contributors: puneetbca Tags: security, performance, SMTP, custom scripts, digital creatings Requires at least: 5.0 Tested up to: 7.0 Requires PHP: 7.4 Stable tag: 2.0.0 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Lightweight WordPress essentials for security, performance, SMTP email, and custom code — built by Digital Creatings. == About Digital Creatings == **Essentials by Digital Creatings** is developed and maintained by [Digital Creatings](https://www.digitalcreatings.com), a company focused on reliable WordPress solutions for businesses and agencies. Website: https://www.digitalcreatings.com Support: https://www.digitalcreatings.com/contact/ == Description == Essentials by Digital Creatings is a **lightweight and powerful** WordPress plugin designed to **improve security, optimize performance, and enhance email functionality**. It hides WordPress version exposure, hardens common attack surfaces, removes unnecessary bloat, and lets you **configure SMTP** and **inject custom scripts** from a single admin hub. **New in Version 2.0:** * **Modern admin UI** — Redesigned dashboard aligned with WordPress 6.x / 7.0 admin patterns * **Self-hosted assets** — No external Bootstrap CDN; faster and more privacy-friendly * **Unified navigation** — Quick access across Security, SMTP, and Custom Scripts * **Backward compatible** — All existing option keys, database tables, and front-end behavior preserved on upgrade 🔒 **Security + Optimization + Email + Custom Code** in one plugin from Digital Creatings. **Features:** 🔹 **Security Enhancements:** - Disable XML-RPC to help 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) - Choose SMTP or default PHP mail - Set custom "From Name" and "From Email" for outgoing emails - Send test emails directly from the admin panel 💻 **Custom Scripts:** - Add header, body, or footer snippets - Target all pages or specific post/page IDs - Stored in a dedicated database table (unchanged in 2.0) == Installation == 1. Upload the plugin folder 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, and custom scripts as needed. == Frequently Asked Questions == = Who makes this plugin? = Essentials by Digital Creatings is a product of **Digital Creatings**. Visit https://www.digitalcreatings.com for more information and support. = Will upgrading to 2.0 reset my settings? = No. Version 2.0 keeps the same WordPress options and custom scripts table. Your security toggles, SMTP credentials, and snippets remain intact after updating. = How do I configure SMTP? = Navigate to **Essentials by DC → SMTP Email**, enter your SMTP details, save, then use **Send Test Email** to verify delivery. = Will this plugin affect my site's speed? = The plugin can improve performance when optimization features are enabled (emojis, embeds, jQuery Migrate, etc.). Disabled features have no effect. == 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 == Changelog == = 2.0.0 = * **New:** Modern admin UI compatible with WordPress 7.0 * **New:** Self-hosted admin CSS/JS (removed external Bootstrap CDN dependency) * **New:** Unified navigation and card-based settings layout * **Improved:** Dashboard welcome screen with feature overview * **Improved:** SMTP and Custom Scripts admin experience * **Maintained:** All existing option names, hooks, and front-end behavior for sites already using the plugin = 1.4.3 = * Tested compatibility with WordPress 7.0 * Updated minimum PHP requirement to 7.4 (aligned with WordPress 7.0) * Improved admin asset loading on all plugin settings screens = 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 == = 2.0.0 = Major UI refresh for WordPress 7.0. **Safe to update** — settings, SMTP config, and custom scripts are preserved. No migration required. = 1.4.3 = Compatibility release for WordPress 7.0. Safe to update; no settings changes required. = 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) or [contact us](https://www.digitalcreatings.com/contact/).