Delta Dev Comment Lockdown

Delta Dev Comment Lockdown is a security-focused comment attack-surface hardening plugin developed by Delta Dev for WordPress sites that do not need the native comment system.

Instead of only hiding a comment form, the plugin applies multiple independent WordPress-native protection layers. It closes public commenting, blocks direct and core comment creation paths, removes core REST comment routes, disables comment-related XML-RPC/pingback surfaces, blocks comment feeds, and can remove related admin surfaces. It does not modify WordPress core files and it does not delete existing comments.

Default protections include:

• Forces comments closed on the public site.
• Hides existing comments without deleting them.
• Blocks normal WordPress comment submissions with HTTP 403.
• Stops new comments in the core comment approval pipeline.
• Removes and blocks the core REST API /wp/v2/comments endpoints.
• Disables pingbacks and trackbacks.
• Removes WordPress XML-RPC comment and pingback methods.
• Removes the X-Pingback response header.
• Disables comment-feed discovery links and direct comment-feed requests.
• Removes Comments and Trackbacks support from registered post types.
• Hides the Comments admin menu, toolbar item, and Recent Comments dashboard widget.

All protections can be configured from Settings > Comment Lockdown. Strict protection is enabled by default.

Security design

• Uses WordPress core hooks and APIs instead of modifying core files.
• Uses a defense-in-depth approach so disabling a theme comment form is not the only control.
• Settings are restricted to administrators with manage_options.
• Settings are saved through the WordPress Settings API and sanitized to strict boolean values.
• Admin output is escaped before rendering.
• No arbitrary code execution, file manager, remote executable downloads, telemetry, licensing gate, or external service is included.

Privacy

Delta Dev Comment Lockdown does not collect, store, transmit, or sell personal data. It does not use analytics, telemetry, cookies, external APIs, or third-party services.

Compatibility note

Some plugins use the native WordPress comment system for other features. WooCommerce product reviews are a common example. Enabling all protections can disable those comment-based review flows.