Here’s a fun little fact. In 2021: out of the reported 3.57 million skydives made, only 721 had to use their reserve parachute. In other words, the odds of a skydiver needing to use their reserve parachute are approximately 1 in 5,000.
Now, what if I was to tell you “Hey, just jump without your reserve?” Would you do it? I think the answer will be a resounding “No!” quite soundly. Why is that?
Disaster only needs to strike once and all is lost. Now I say all this because your WordPress website’s security rests on a similar balance.
“Almost 13000 WordPress sites are hacked daily!”
So it goes without saying that the risks are high. Cyber threats are ever-evolving, and hackers are constantly finding new ways to breach online defenses.
For WordPress admins, safeguarding the admin area is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential damage to your site’s reputation.
A very easy solution to this security headache is two factor authentication (2fa). In this article we’ll dive deeper into what 2FA is, why it’s essential for your WordPress site, and how you can easily set it up to fortify your digital fortress.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that requires two forms of identification to log in. The first is something you know, like your password. The second is something you have, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an app.
When you log in to your WordPress admin area, you enter your password first. Then, you’re asked for the second form of ID. This extra step ensures that even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your site without the second factor, making your WordPress admin area much more secure.
Because two factor authentication is the reserve parachute for your WordPress admin. If a malicious third party manages to crack your user credentials then wordpress admin two factor authentication will stand as that impregnable wall that they just won’t be able to go through or scale. If you’re still not sold here are some key reasons to use 2FA for your WordPress admin:
Increased Security: This is the biggest benefit. As I’ve already mentioned, 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second piece of information besides your password to login. This makes it much harder for attackers to gain access to your site, even if they steal your password through phishing or other means.
Stops Brute-Force Attacks: Brute-force attacks involve attackers trying to guess your password by trying many different combinations. 2FA makes these attacks essentially useless because the attacker would also need your second factor, such as a code from your phone.
Protects Against Weak Passwords: We all know it’s important to use strong passwords, but sometimes we fall short. We’re talking to you “password123” users! 2FA helps mitigate the risk of these weak passwords. Even if someone has a weak password, they still won’t be able to access your site without the second factor.
Easy to Implement: There are many free and easy-to-use plugins available that allow you to enable 2FA on your WordPress site. Setting it up typically takes just a few minutes.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your WordPress admin is protected with 2FA gives you peace of mind. You can relax knowing that it’s much more difficult for your site to be hacked.
In short, WordPress admin 2 factor authentication makes your WordPress account area much harder to hack, protecting your site and its valuable data
Setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) for your WordPress admin area is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you secure your site:
First, you need to select a 2FA plugin. Some popular options are:
These plugins are available in the WordPress plugin repository. For this guide, we’ll use the Google Authenticator app as an example.
As soon as you activate the 2FA, it will provide you a option to download the backup codes.
While WordPress provides a secure login system, you can add an extra layer of protection by changing the default login URL (/wp-login.php). This makes it harder for automated bots to discover your login page. Here’s how to achieve this using WP Adminify’s URL Redirection functionality:
/wp-login.php
New Login URL:
/wp-admin
Redirect Admin:
/wp-admin or /wp-admin/
New Register URL (Optional):
If you want to customize the user registration process, you can create a unique registration page. WP Adminify doesn’t directly control user registration, but you can combine it with other plugins to achieve this (e.g., Membership plugins with “Anyone can register” enabled). Then, set a custom URL for your registration page using WP Adminify.
Login Redirect:
Logout Redirect:
Since you’re already down the rabbit hole of security, there’s an extra level beyond 2FA you can go to ensure ultimate protection. This one’s a bit subtle so bear with us.
How can a robber rob a safe if the safe doesn’t look like a safe? Think of cheesy money heist movies. The safes are always hidden in plain sight: behind a painting, or behind a bookshelf. What do we learn from this? You can’t steal from or break into something you can’t see.
In terms of WordPress login pages, they are pretty easy to spot. They stick out like a sore thumb. What if we could change that?
Well with Loginfy, you can.
Loginfy is a WordPress plugin that lets you completely customize the look of your login page so that it doesn’t look like a typical WordPress login page. Hackers and malicious third parties will usually ignore custom-looking login pages because they are harder to break into. Loginfy lets you:
Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) in WordPress significantly enhances security, but users may encounter some common issues. Here’s how to solve them:
If you don’t have a backup code, you may need to contact your site administrator for assistance or use any recovery options provided by your plugin.
Scenario: The codes generated by your authenticator app are not working.
Solution: Ensure your device’s time settings are correct and synchronized.
Open your authenticator app and synchronize the time (if the app has this feature).
Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and try entering the code again.
Scenario: You’ve lost your backup codes and can’t access your site.
Solution: Check if your 2FA plugin provides an alternative recovery method (e.g., email recovery).
Contact your site administrator or hosting provider for help resetting your 2FA.
Once you regain access, generate new backup codes and store them securely.
Implementing two-factor authentication for your WordPress admin area is a crucial step in fortifying your website’s security.
This simple yet powerful tool significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.
While you may encounter minor setup challenges, the enhanced protection and peace of mind are well worth the effort.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, 2FA stands as an essential safeguard for your digital assets. Don’t leave your WordPress site vulnerable. Thoroughly go through this guide, activate 2FA today, and take control of your website’s security.
Jemee is a dedicated content creator, video producer, and Support specialist for WP Adminify plugin users. With a passion for keeping the community informed, Jemee shares valuable insights through blog posts and engaging videos. Need assistance? Jemee is here to help you solve any WP Adminify plugin related challenges! Just join in the live chat or drop an email from the contact page.