Ok, if you don’t mind, let me do the math. Feel free to correct me when I make any mistakes.
First the list of modules in the free 7.9.1 release:
Security Check
Global Settings
Notification Center
User Groups
404 Detection
Away Mode
Banned Users
Database Backup
File Change Detection
File Permissions
Local Brute Force Protection
Network Brute Force Protection
Password Requirements
SSL (2 settings)
Multisite Tweaks
System Tweaks (10 settings)
WordPress Salts
WordPress Tweaks (13 settings)
Admin User
Change Content Directory
Change Database Table Prefix
Hide Backend
Security Check Pro
23 modules.
The following modules/settings were removed in the 8.0.x release:
- 404 Detection
- Away Mode
- Database Backup (1 setting)
- SSL (2 settings)
- Multisite Tweaks
- System Tweaks (5 settings)
- WordPress Tweaks (6 settings)
- Change Content Directory
So 4 modules got removed and a total of 14 settings were removed in 4 other modules. All the rest is still there …
But also, 3 (Pro) features were added to the free plugin:
- Security Dashboard
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Refused Compromised Password
Let’s assume the (14) lost settings account for 3 modules.
The end calculation then looks like this: 23-(4+3)+3=19
So: ((19-23) / 23) * 100 = -17,39%
No matter how I try, I just don’t get even close to a result of -75% …
Anyway, (if not already) reading the iThemes Security 8.0 Brings New Design, Features post on iThemes blog is highly recommended.