Are you aware of how popular websites are now offering WordPress 2fa to improve security? Now you can secure your WordPress site with two-factor authentication. As a result, your WordPress site and all its registered users are protected with maximum security. In this article, we will show you how to add two-factor authentication using easy-peasy steps and plugins.
Creating a WordPress website might be a straightforward process, but it requires hard work, commitment, and dedication. Imagine putting in your efforts to develop your business website on WordPress and getting it hacked. Also, you might be surprised to know that and look around to enhance the security of your website. Hence, your WordPress website’s security can be a matter of life or death.
Security is of utmost importance as its absence could potentially compromise your website’s sensitive data of your company and users. WordPress 2fa is essential to help you secure your website from getting hacked by malicious actors from getting into your site.
While there are several ways to protect your WordPress website, the two-factor authentication works like a charm. Here, we will explain the easy steps by which you can add the WordPress two-factor authentication to your website.
What is a Two-Factor Authentication and how does it work?
Two-factor authentication is known as a double verification that is used for authentication for users for a security purposes to verify themselves. Businesses usually add two-factor authentication to websites to enhance the security level of their website. The most common ones include a fingerprint, face, or retina scan, followed by a password or code sent to users’ smartphones to authenticate their identity. Since it requires two separate forms of identification to get complete access to the website, it is known as two-factor authentication.
How does two-factor authentication work?
Just like you take care of your health, you need to make sure that your WordPress website is secured without any risk. There are many security attacks that your WordPress can become vulnerable to, such as brute force attacks and dictionary attacks.
You can strengthen your website’s security by using unpredictable passwords while using special characters, letters, and numbers. However, to make a highly secure website, implement 2FA.
So, rather than just relying on your generic passwords, it is best to leverage 2-factor authentication for better security. Moreover, it can work as a boon for people who tend to forget their passwords every other day.
Types of Two-Factor Authentication
With the advent of technology, WP two-factor authentication can be done in a plethora of ways. The following are the most common ones used in professional settings:
1. Biometric 2FA
Biometric 2FA requires physical authentication in the form of a fingerprint, retina scan, facial feature, hand shape, typing behavior, or voice.
While this is one of the safest 2FA options, it can drill a huge hole in your pocket. At the same time, it can have grave consequences if compromised.
2. SMS 2FA
SMS 2FA is more useful for websites, including WordPress. It includes logging in with a username and password, after which a code is sent to the registered phone number.
Hence, only someone with access to your username, password, and the phone would be allowed to access the website.
3. Email 2FA
Email two-factor authentication is straightforward. Once you log in to your WordPress account, a code will be sent to your email. Only by verifying the email would you be able to get access to the WordPress account.
4. App 2FA
App-based authentication will protect your WordPress account when you or somebody else tries to log in from a different device. It will send a code to the original device to authenticate the identity.
Advantages of Two-factor authentication for the security of WordPress
Generally, a WordPress website can be accessed with a username and a password. But, it’s not enough to maintain the security of your website as hackers can easily break this. And we provide hints to hackers by keeping the birthdate as a password. Therefore, you must implement WordPress authentication as it can benefit you in many ways.
Advantages of two-factor authentication for WordPress security:
1. Security of your website
WordPress is not just a go-to CMS for small businesses and eCommerce stores. Celebrities like Usain Bolt, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Sylvester Stallone have WordPress websites.
No wonder hackers are always targeting WordPress websites.
By adding 2FA, you shall safeguard your website from such cyber-attacks and maintain the integrity of your hard work.
Read more: “How to secure your WordPress website from Hackers?”
2. Security of your users
Getting your WordPress website hacked can compromise all the confidential information added to the website, not just of your company but of your users as well.
For example, if you run an online store on WordPress, the website will include sensitive information about the users’ names, payment information, address, etc.
But the addition of two-factor authentication can enhance WordPress security and safeguard the information of your users.
How to add Two-Factor Authentication to a WordPress website?
Adding two-factor authentication is a pretty straightforward process. We have broken it down into (number) easy steps for an easier grasp of it.
Method 1: Two-Factor Authentication with an authenticator app
- Install and activate any of the Best 2FA WordPress plugins. We’d recommend WP 2FA – Two-factor Authentication.
- Go to Users—Profile and click on the “Configure Two-factor authentication (2FA)” button.
- Choose either a One-time code generated with your app of choice or a one-time code sent to you over email. We’d suggest the former option.
- Click Next.
- It will show you a QR code that can be scanned with your preferred authenticator app.
- Download the app and click on the “Add” button to add your account.
- Scan the QR code to help the app save your WordPress website.
- Verify your one-time password and note down the backup codes in a safe folder.
- Exit and verify whether the two-factor authentication is working or not
Method 2: Two-Factor Authentication for SMS
- Install and activate any of your favorite Two-Factor plugins. In addition to that, you will have to get the Two Factor SMS plugin as well.
- Go to Users—Profile and click on the “Configure Two-factor authentication (2FA)” button.
- Check next to the ‘SMS (Twilio)’ option and the radio button to make this your primary verification system.
- Sign in to the Twilio account and click on the “Get Started” button.
- Choose SMS as the product, Two-factor authentication, and PHP as your programming language.
- Save the Twilio number provided to you and click on “Choose this number.”
- Exit the wizard and go to settings.
- Select the countries.
- Go to your WordPress site and enter the Twilio Account SID, Auth Token, and phone number to the user profile.
- Now add your number and save all the new information.
- Log out and log in with your username and password.
- Add the code received via SMS and check the functioning of the two-factor authentication.
List of best Two-Factor Authentication plugins for WordPress
You can integrate the WordPress two-factor authentication plugin with the following plugins, specially chosen by our expert WordPress developers:
1. Google Authenticator
Through the Google Authenticator plugin, you can get two-factor authentication for your WordPress website via the Google Authenticator app. This app is available for Android and iOS.
2. Two Factor Authentication for WordPress
This plugin allows users to log into their WordPress website through a one-time code. This is also used by Google Authenticator.
3. Wordfence
This plugin will help you protect your WordPress websites by country blocking or firewalls. It also limits login attempts to avoid brute-force attacks on your website. Moreover, regular checks are rendered to safeguard the website from sudden cyber attacks.
4. Shield WordPress Security
This plugin prevents malicious bots, signals multiple failed login attempts, and limits fake search engine crawlers to protect your WordPress website.
5. iThemes Security Pro
Along with 2FA, this plugin provides a security dashboard to stay on top of your website’s security status.
6. Rublon Two-Factor Authentication
This plugin allows you to integrate 2FA through the Rublon app or via email. If you are using the website from the same device, you need not verify multiple times.
7. 2FAS Prime
This plugin restricts any unauthorized access to your WordPress website. It provides authentication in the form of one-time passwords.
8. Keyy Two-Factor Authentication
This plugin works with the KeyKeyy app, through which you can secure your WordPress website by scanning a code. Instead of generic passwords, you can secure your website through RSA public-key cryptography.
9. Duo Two-Factor Authentication
This plugin provides a plethora of logging-in options. For example, you can securely access your WordPress website via the Duo mobile application (one-tap authentication or one-time codes). It also provides phone callback and SMS codes for better security.
10. WooCommerce Two-Factor Authentication
This plugin protects your eCommerce WordPress website page from brute force attacks and cyber attacks. This plugin comes to the rescue to protect the sensitive information of your users and customers, along with your website.
Takeaway
Creating a WordPress website might seem easy, but maintaining and protecting it from hackers and malicious cyber attacks can have you grasping at straws. But you can relieve yourself to some extent by protecting your WordPress website through two-factor authentication.
If you are having trouble integrating two-factor authentication, you can hire dedicated WordPress developers. Since they have the required expertise and knowledge about WordPress and its security, you will never have to worry about your website being on the receiving end of brute-force attacks!
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