Enhancing the security of your WordPress website is crucial in safeguarding against unauthorized access. Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through a second method of authentication. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up 2FA using the Wordfence plugin, ensuring heightened security for your WordPress site.
Setting up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with the Wordfence plugin in WordPress offers several advantages:
1. Enhanced Security: Adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification.
2. Reduces Risk of Unauthorized Access: Even if passwords are compromised, 2FA helps prevent unauthorized logins.
3. Protects Against Brute Force Attacks: Makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain access through brute force.
4. User-Friendly: Easy to set up and use for administrators and users.
5. Integration with WordPress: Seamlessly integrates with your WordPress site for a smooth user experience.
These benefits help ensure that your WordPress site remains secure against potential threats.
Step 1:
In the Wordfence settings, navigate to the “Login Security” tab.
Step 2:
Scan the code below with your authenticator app to add this account. Some authenticator apps also allow you to type in the text version instead.
Step 3:
When you scan using your phone app, you will see the yellow link to tap. Then it will take you to your App Authenticator. Tap the appropriate label.
Please note the App Authenticator will depend on what phone you’re using.
Step 4:
Check your verification code and enter it to your Wordfence page.
Step 5:
Enter the code from your Authenticator App and download Recovery Codes.
Use one of the 5 codes to log in in case you lose access to your authenticator device. Codes are 16 characters long plus optional spaces. Each one may be used only once.
Step 6:
Enter the code from your authenticator app below to verify and activate two-factor-authentication for this account and click Activate and you’re DONE.
These steps significantly enhance your account’s security posture and protect it against potential threats.
Keep the Wordfence plugin and WordPress core updated to ensure you have the latest security patches.
Below are common ways a WordPress site gets compromised. Keeping your WordPress site up to date on security protocols will certainly help reduce your risk.
TYPES OF COMMON WORDPRESS BREACHES
1. Malware – designed to inflict harm on a computer, network server, website, or application. viruses, computer worms, Trojan horses, spyware, or ransomware.
2. SQL Injection – allows an attacker to view, add, edit and publish information
3. Backdoors – This can compromise the data or information saved on the website. This opens a vulnerability when a computer has a malware.
4. Malicious Redirects – When someone clicks on a URL and is redirected to an entirely different website.
5. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – injecting malicious script, allow the attacker to grab session or cookie data or even re-write page HTML.
6. DDoS Attack – The objective is to overwhelm the server with multiple requests from various unidentifiable sources, thus overwhelming and shutting down the server.
Need additional support in improving your website security? AZENCE offers several options to support your WordPress site and give you an added sense of security with some of our services.