Creating a WordPress website might be a straightforward process, but it certainly requires hard work, commitment, and dedication. Imagine putting in your efforts to create your business website on WordPress and getting it hacked.
Your WordPress website’s security can be a matter of life or death, of your website, of course. It holds utmost importance as its absence could potentially compromise the sensitive and confidential importance of your company and/or your users.
While there are several ways to protect your WordPress website, the two-factor authentication works like a charm. We shall explain its basics along with a few easy steps through which you can add the WP 2FA to your website.
What Does 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) Mean?
Passwords aren’t enough at all times. You could go ahead and question the integrity of the English language by jumbling all the words, and a proficient hacker can still get access to your website within minutes.
That is why two-factor authentication is necessary.
But what does it mean?
The meaning is in the name itself.
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is a step that business owners take to increase the security level of their company’s website. The most common one includes a fingerprint, face, or retina scan, followed by a password or code sent to users’ smartphones to authenticate their identity.
Since it contains two separate forms of identification to get complete access to the website, it is known as two-factor authentication.
Importance of WordPress Two-Factor Authentication:
According to a study, only a mere 35% of people use a different password for their accounts. So, if you have used the same password for your WordPress website and your Facebook, hacking into all your online accounts will be a child’s play.
Moreover, the same study denoted that approximately 59% of the research subjects used their birth date as their password. If you are just like them, hacking into your WordPress website will be a piece of cake for even an amateur hacker.
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, 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 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 For Adding Two-Factor Authentication For WordPress Website Security:
Typically, a WordPress website can be accessed with a username and a password. But is it enough?
We do not believe it to be. Since most of us use 0000 or 1234 or our birth date as our passwords, hackers can easily get access to your WordPress website.
The following reasons will highlight the main reasons why WP 2FA is a prerequisite:
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.
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 WP 2FA through the following plugins, specially chosen by our expert WordPress development team:
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
This Two Factor Authentication plugin allows the 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. Wordfence 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 Shield WordPress Security 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 iThemes Security Pro plugin provides a security dashboard through which you can stay on top of your website’s security status.
6. Rublon Two-Factor Authentication
This Rublon 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 2FAS Prime – Two Factor Authentication 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 Keyy 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 Duo Two-Factor Authentication 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.
Conclusion:
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.
In case you are facing issues in integrating the two-factor authentication, you can hire WordPress plugin developers from Creole Studios to help you through the process. Since we 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 a brute force attack. Let’s Talk!
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Source: https://www.creolestudios.com/
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