How to Add Two Factor Authentication for WordPress [Easily]

If you have a WordPress website, two-factor authentication for WordPress is essential to ensure the security of your website.

When setting up your website, you are required to set login details with a username and password to facilitate authorized access to the site only. However, it might not be enough to prevent hackers or malicious bots from accessing the website.

If unauthorized users gain access to your website, it may affect your data, performance, and customer experience. As a result, two-factor authentication for WordPress is a useful feature that offers an additional layer of security against bots or hackers.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can add WordPress 2-factor authentication for your website.

What does Two Factor Authentication for WordPress mean?

Two-factor authentication for WordPress involves 2-step authentication to log in to WordPress. With this setting enabled, you will need to enter both your WordPress login password and a secondary code to log in to your WordPress dashboard.

The second verification step requires users to enter a code sent via text, email, app, links, or QR code. This adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress login, as hackers won’t have access to this external verification channel.

What is an Authenticator App?

An authenticator app is a smartphone application that generates a one-time password whenever you log in to a third-party app or website like WordPress.

An authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy is an easy and convenient way to add WordPress 2FA to your website.

Simply put, your website server and the app use a secret key to encrypt information and create a temporary code that you can use to add another layer of security.

So, even if a hacker can know your WP username and password, they won’t be able to log in to the website unless they have the time-restrained security code generated by the authenticator app.

Secure your WordPress website against hacking attempts with a protected login page. Learn How to Secure WordPress Login Page with 11 Proven Ways.

How to Add Two-Factor Authentication for WordPress [Step-by-step]

Adding WordPress two-step authentication for your website is a straightforward process.

For this guide, we’ll use the Nexter extension plugin to set up WordPress multi-factor authentication and the WordPress Google authenticator app as our default 2-factor authentication.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to enable WordPress 2FA for your website.

Step 1: Install Google Authenticator App

Visit your mobile device’s Google Play app store to install the Google Authenticator app. If you’re an Apple user, get the app from here.

Step 2: Set Up Two-Factor Authentication with Nexter Pro Extension Plugin

To enable two-factor authentication, you’ll need the Nexter Extension plugin. Once installed and activated, go to Appearance > Nexter Settings > Security.

Find 2-factor Authentication and click on Enable.

Step 3: Set Up Two-Factor Authentication Login

Next, click the Gear icon to open the Two Factor Authentication Login popup. Here, you can select the User Roles for which you want to enable WordPress two-step authentication.

You can also add a custom email subject and message. Once done, click Save.

Step 4: Enable 2 Factor Authentication for Specific Users

On your WordPress dashboard, go to Users > All Users and edit the user based on the roles you selected in the previous step.

Scroll down to Two-Factor Options. Here, you will find three authentication options-

• Email: When enabled, you’ll receive an email with the verification code.
• Authenticator App: If you choose this method, you’ll need to connect your website with an authenticator app like Google Authenticator and generate verification codes.
• Recovery Codes: In this method, you can generate recovery codes beforehand and use them.

You can easily use all the methods together and choose one as a default whenever you log in to your WordPress website.

Step 5: Use the Authenticator App Method

To use the Authenticator App method, enable it or set it as default. In this step, you’ll be prompted to scan the QR code or enter the code manually.

To do this, open the Google Authenticator app and click the ‘+’ icon at the bottom. Click on “Scan a QR code” and point your camera to the QR code available under the authenticator app option (as shown in the previous step).

Alternatively, enter the authentication code from the app to the Authentication Code field and click Submit.

Next, click on Update Profile to save the changes.

Step 6: Test the Log in Using Authenticator App

Once set up, try the two-factor authentication for WordPress set up. Log out of the WordPress dashboard and log in again using your username and password.

The login page will prompt you to enter the authentication code generator using your linked Google Authenticator app.

Moreover, with Nexter Extension’s two-factor authentication plugin, you can enable all three authentication methods together. If you’re using multiple methods, you get the option to switch between verification methods.

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Wrapping Up

The two-factor authentication for WordPress is a critical security feature that will help you prevent unauthorized access to the WordPress website.

When enabled, you can add an extra layer of security and ensure hackers or unauthorized users cannot access or affect your WordPress website.

Using the Nexter Extension plugin, you can quickly enable two-factor authentication and enhance website security.

The set-up is easy, as you only need to install the plugin and Google Authenticator app.

Once you’ve ensured WordPress security with the two-factor authentication setting, install The Plus Addons for Elementor to enhance the performance and functionality of your website.

The plugin gives you access to unique widgets to help you create a feature-rich website – from design and website layout to WooCommerce, social media, post styling, and more.

FAQs on Two Factor Authentication for WordPress