---
title: Install Security Ninja
canonical: https://wpsecurityninja.com/docs/installation-and-usage/install/
---
## Install from WordPress admin (easiest)

1. Go to **Plugins → Add New**.
2. Search for **Security Ninja**.
3. Install and activate the plugin.

## Install manually via FTP

1. Download the free zip from WordPress.org: [https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/security-ninja.zip](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/security-ninja.zip). For Pro, download the zip from your [account page](https://wpsecurityninja.com/account/).
2. Unpack the zip on your computer.
3. Upload the `security-ninja` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`.
4. In WordPress, go to **Plugins** and activate **Security Ninja**.

Need FTP help? See [How to access your website via FTP](https://wpsecurityninja.com/docs/installation-and-usage/how-to-access-your-website-via-ftp/).

## Install via Upload Plugin

1. Download the free or Pro zip to your computer.
2. Go to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**.
3. Choose the zip file and click **Install Now**.
4. Activate **Security Ninja**.

## Activate Pro

![Activate Security Ninja Pro from the Plugins page](https://wpsecurityninja.com/media/2019/07/how-to-activate-security-ninja-pro-plugin.webp)

After you activate Pro, enter your license key when prompted.

![Enter your license key, including the “Can’t find your license key?” link](https://wpsecurityninja.com/media/2020/07/enter-license-key.webp)

If you cannot find the key, check your purchase email, or use **Can’t find your license key?** under the license field. Enter the purchase email to have the key resent.

![Send license key window where you enter your email to resend the key](https://wpsecurityninja.com/media/2020/09/resend-license-key.webp)

When the key validates, you land on the plugin pages. Run the [Installation Wizard](https://wpsecurityninja.com/docs/installation-and-usage/installation-wizard/) next if it does not open automatically.

### Already on Free and upgrading

1. Go to **Security Ninja → Account**.
2. Click **Activate License**.

![Account Details page with Activate License](https://wpsecurityninja.com/media/2019/07/activate-license.webp)

3. Enter the Pro license key in the popup.

![Update License popup with license key field](https://wpsecurityninja.com/media/2020/06/update-license-enter-license-key.webp)

You can also download the latest Pro zip and manage billing from [your account](https://wpsecurityninja.com/account/).

## Older Gumroad licenses

If you bought Security Ninja before the current Freemius licensing system, the plugin may detect the old license and create a Freemius license for you.

If you still see the activation screen:

1. Click **Activate Free Version** so a user exists in the licensing system.
2. [Contact support](https://wpsecurityninja.com/help/) and ask for a license upgrade. Include your purchase email.

We need that free activation before we can attach a custom Pro license by hand.