Nobody likes passwords. Sure, the first couple you came up with were fun, but coming up with something different every time is hard work. If you’re someone who reuses their passwords for different websites there is the additional risk that if any one of those websites is hacked, it would compromise that password in every place that you’ve used it. You can see if this has happened to a password that you have used in multiple places at https://haveibeenpwned.com/Passwords.

To give yourself an additional layer of security against data breaches like this you can use Two Factor Authentication.

What is Two Factor Authentication?

Two factor authentication (2FA) is a way to protect your access to the important websites that you use. These factors can include something you know – like a username and password – plus something you have – like a smartphone app – to approve authentication requests. If you use online banking then you are probable already doing this when they send you an SMS with a code that you have to enter on the website. 2FA protects against phishing, social engineering and password brute-force attacks and also secures your logins from attackers exploiting weak or stolen credentials.

How do I Enable 2FA?

If we built, host, and maintain a WordPress website for you, then we included the WordFence security plugin as part of your site when we set it up. This plugin already protects the site against brute-force attacks, malware and vulnerabilities, and it can also manage 2FA enabled logins. If you own a smartphone then we can help you to set up 2FA with a quick session over the phone; and we’re including this service as part of your hosting cost, so there is no extra charge. Either email or call us and we can organise a convenient time for us to get it done.

If we didn’t build your current site, we can still help you out if you are interested in getting WordFence configured and running on your WordPress website. Please email or call us for a quote.

For a more in-depth explanation on Two Factor and Multi Factor authentication, there is a very thorough article on the Australian Cyber Security Centre webpage. ACSC consider 2FA as number two in their “Top 3 things to protect yourself”.

May 31, 2022