What’s two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication, aka 2FA or two-step verification, keeps your WordPress website protected by applying an additional layer of security apart from your username and password. There can be the following categories of Two-factor authentications:-
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- Knowledge-based authentication – something that you know like password and security questions, PIN, etc.
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- Possession-based authentication – something you have like your phone, secure USB key, etc.
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- Inheritance-based authentication – something that you are like a fingerprint, retinas, and other forms of biometric factors, etc.
How does two-factor authentication work?
When you are logging into your WordPress site, you are required to enter your login credentials, traditionally, it is “username and password” to authenticate yourself. But, if you have two-factor authentication enabled on your WordPress site then you will be doubly authenticated. After you have entered your login credentials you will be required to provide a 2FA passcode to gain access.
Why is two-factor authentication important for website security?
Securing your WordPress account, only with a username and password is less than reassuring in today’s scenario, where automated password guessing, brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and endless other threats are quite commonplace. In a world where the most used passwords still are 123456 and QWERTY, we need no further study and data to admit that remembering passwords is a headache for most users. This password fatigue leads them to use the same passwords across multiple accounts which can jeopardize the security of all websites due to a single password hack. Even if users are aware and responsible enough to use strong passwords, social engineering attacks like phishing and spear phishing are employed which dupe users into divulging their login credentials. Users can end up entering their username and password into manipulated URLs that look like genuine websites or installing keystroke recorders and other similar kinds of spyware leave not even a strong password hard to crack. These security threats will have far-reaching ramifications if not tackled properly. These will potentially compromise your digital security.
Against this backdrop of existing security threats a foolproof solution, miniOrange’s Google Authenticator – WordPress Two Factor Authentication(2FA, Two Factor, OTP SMS, and Email) | passwordless login was developed.
Two Factor authentication neutralizes the security risk associated with your WordPress website even if the attacker has your password because it is no longer enough to allow access to your account. If you have two-factor authentication enabled at your site, a compromised password is not something you will have to think about twice.
How to use WordPress two-factor authentication to protect your website?
The simplest way to get started with using two-factor authentication is to install a plugin. The miniOrange’s Google Authenticator – A two-factor authentication plugin is quite quick and easy to set up. After installation of the plugin, the miniOrange 2-factor authentication setup wizard makes this process of setting up 2FA for you and your users a child’s play. Setup wizard guides you to setup 2FA policies within seconds. Administrator can easily make all the users setup 2FA within seconds. You actually get the option to make users set up 2FA during the first login or directly from the plugin dashboard. You can choose whether to require your users to configure 2FA on their first login or to give them a grace period after which they will be automatically logged out.
What are the various two-factor methods provided in the two-factor authentication plugin?
Google Authenticator – Two Factor Authentication Plugin provides more than 15 authentication methods. All the methods can be broadly categorized as follows:-
- TOTP based-authentication methods
- OTP Over Email/2FA code over Email
- OTP Over SMS/2FA code over SMS
- Push Notification
- Security Questions
What is TOTP authentication? What is the process of TOTP?
TOTP is the acronym for the time-based one-time password. This is a common two-factor authentication method used for user authentication when logging into WordPress.This is also known as app-based authentication.
Which two-factor authentication is the best?
Amongst all the available 2FA methods, TOTP and app-based authentication are the most preferred by users. It is rightly so, as it has the highest usability score, as proved by the study conducted on the usability of 2FA methods.
miniOrange’s Google Authenticator plugin supports all app-based TOTP authentication methods.
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Authy Authenticator
- LastPass Authenticator
- Duo Authenticator
How to configure Google Authenticator as a Two Factor Authentication method?
You need to download the Google Authenticator app on your mobile phone. During login, your app will display a dynamically generated passcode for authentication. Prior to this, you must scan the given QR code to get registered. For detailed information on how to configure Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication refer to this guide.
What are the benefits of using TOTP authentication methods?
It is far more reliable proof of possession than OTP over email and OTP over SMS. Your mail can be accessed in many ways and an email account getting hacked is not something that is very unheard of. It is safe from SIM-swap attacks, unlike OTP over SMS.
What is OTP Over SMS and OTP Over Email?
These are also examples of possession-based 2FA methods provided by the WordPress Google Authenticator plugin. Depending on the requirements, you can configure one of these options to authenticate your users.
How do OTP Over SMS and OTP Over Email work?
You receive a 2FA passcode/OTP on your mobile phone via SMS or Email after entering your username and password to log in securely. A study conducted by Google concluded that SMS-based authentication “can block up to 100% of automated bots, 99% of bulk phishing attacks, and 66% of targeted attacks.”
How do Push notifications work?
You need to download the push notification app, where you will receive a message asking to allow or deny the login attempt being made to the WordPress website.
Security Questions
It is a knowledge-based authentication system that requires you to answer some questions that only you know.
What happens when you get locked out?
A set of five backup codes is provided in case you get logged out of your account. You can use them to gain entry into your account. Regardless of the 2FA method you are using, you must keep these codes safe with you to use in case of any untoward situation.
What are the benefits of using the miniOrange 2-factor authentication plugin?
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- Easy to use The plugin can be deployed in no time, and with its easy-to-follow setup wizard, even a person with non-technical background finds it to be a cakewalk.
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- Amazing Support Though plugin setup is quite easy, support is always ready to help you with any difficulties that you might encounter, on a screen share call.
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- Exhaustive feature list This is the single most feature-rich plugin available in the market, Which provides more than fifteen plus authentication methods to choose from.
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- Free version available to use This plugin is entirely free to use and regularly updated with very many useful features. You can upgrade it as well to enhance your WordPress security.
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- Compatible with other login and registration form plugins It is compatible with almost all the custom login and registration forms like Ultimate member, Admin custom login, Buddypress, Buddyboss, etc.
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- Reliability We have 20,000 plus active installations and a list of thousands of satisfied premium customers which is ever-growing.
To get detailed information about this refer to this link.
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