Best Two-Factor Authentication Plugins For WordPress

Web hosting & website security is a tedious and challenging topic to understand. However, hoping your website doesn’t get hacked is not the best course of action. 

Just like one would lock their home door to prevent unwelcome visitors from breaking in, you can also implement some security measures to secure your WordPress installation. 

The first and most significant measure is to install a two-factor authentication plugin known as two-step verification or 2FA.

Now, what is two-factor authentication? And what are some of the best two-factor authentication plugins? Don’t worry! 

We’ll offer all this information via this guide. Thus, make sure you read it till the end!   

What Is Two-Factor Authentication? 

A two-factor authentication plugin is used to strengthen the site’s security by using two factors to verify and login into the admin dashboard. These factors might include things like username, password, etc. Moreover, smartphones and browser add-ons require approval of these authentication requests. 

So, basically, in simple terms, the fact of the matter is to protect your WordPress by installing an extra layer of security to block the admin address so that your account details aren’t compromised or stolen.   

Top Two-Factor Plugins For WordPress

When it comes to VPS hosting, two-factor authentication is integral. Here are the best two-factor authentication plugins that you can consider using. 

• Wordfence 

We have all heard of Wordfence. It is one of the most popular plugins in the repository of WordPress. Moreover, it has been ranked as the best malware removal plugin since 2017. 

One of the prominent features of this plugin is that it supports two-factor authentication. Wordfence two-factor authentication works with several TOTP-based applications like Google Authenticator, FreeOTP, Authy, and many more. 

You need only to scan the QR code with the authenticator app. Further, enter the code with your authenticator app in WordPress to activate two-factor authentication. 

Thus, if you have already installed Wordfence, you don’t need to worry; it is a great way to get started without installing another plugin!    

• Duo 

Another plugin is Duo, which requires no extra software or hardware. All you must do is sign up for their service on their website. 

In order to integrate Duo into your website, you will require an integration key, API hostname, and a Secret key. Once you have verified these keys, you can select the roles you wish to enable two-factor authentication. For instance, you can choose between administrators, editors, authors, subscribers, etc. 

After you have enabled the Duo, you have several authentication methods to choose from like:

• One-tap authentication using Duo’s mobile application both for Apple and Android phones.
• The Duo app generates one-time passcodes.
• SMS-enabled, one-time passcodes that work with no cell coverage. 
• One-time passcodes generated by OATH-compliant hardware. 
• Authy 

Authy is a simple two-factor authentication plugin by Twilio. 

You’ll be required to sign up for an account and publish an app in order to use this plugin with your WordPress site. 

Once you have created an application, enter the API key on the plugin settings page. Like Duo, you can select the roles you wish to enable two-step verification. Moreover, depending on your user policy, you can choose between administrators, authors, editors, subscribers, etc. 

Once you have activated Authy, authentication requests are made by: 

• Token acquisition by means of a mobile phone call or text message. 
• Generating a token using the Authy app for Android and Apple mobile phones. 
• Getting a push notification via the Authy desktop app & browser add-on.
• Rublon 

Rublon is another one of the most-recommended two-factor authentication plugins. The company focuses on two extensions, i.e., a WordPress plugin and an Atlassian plugin. The WordPress plugin works amazingly, and there is no need for complicated configuration settings. 

By installing this plugin, you will get one free authentication account.

Interestingly, the traditional two-factor authentication solution demands that users enter a one-time password every time they log in to the WordPress dashboard.

But with Rublon, it is quite different. In it, you need to confirm your identity by clicking on a link on a verified email address. Moreover, you can also scan a Rublon code to log in to the account.

You can install the Rublon mobile app and scan the QR code on your verified phone for additional security!

• Keyy

Keyy is another two-factor authentication approach for WordPress. This plugin does away with the following:

• Password
• Username
• One-time passwords
• Two-factor authentication tokens

Keyy replaces passwords with sophisticated public keys. It uses a 2048-bit digital key, created and stored on the user’s mobile phone.

It is vital to note that Keyy does not maintain a central database of user-profiles and login details. Instead, the digital key is encrypted in Android’s Keystore and protected using a fingerprint scan or 6-digit PIN on each user’s mobile device. This ensures that the data remains safe even if the phone becomes locked or stolen.

Thus, all a user needs to do is log in to the site. To configure Keyy, install this WordPress plugin and install the app on your phone.

To log in to the WordPress site, you just need to open the app and point it at the code on the site’s sign-in page. The dashboard will be accessible after Keyy validates the access code.

• Google Authenticator 

It is one of the most famous two-factor authentication plugins. It adds authentication to your installation by integrating the Google Authenticator app for mobile phones into the WordPress site.

Google authenticator is a popular service having many active installations. So, maybe there is a good chance that you might already be using it for your online accounts.

You have to navigate to your user profile to adjust the plugin settings for this plugin. Then, enable two-factor authentication on a per-user basis.

It is vital to note that if you use a third-party service to manage the website, you can also set a login password. 

Conclusion

The plugins mentioned above can help you protect your WordPress installation if your password gets compromised.

It’s true; adding a verification layer can be pretty tedious. So, one thing to consider before installing two-factor authentication plugins is to know how reliable your second verification method is.

For instance, think about this:

• How likely are you to lose your phone? 
• How easy is it to disable two-factor authentication? 

Setting up two-factor authentication is integral to enhancing the website’s security. So, ensure your password doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Please specify in the comments which plugin you would use to secure your website!