BaseCloud Shield vs Two Factor Authentication

BaseCloud Shield is a lightweight yet powerful security plugin that enforces Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your WordPress login page. Unlike other bloat-heavy plugins, BaseCloud Shield focuses on reliability and flexibility in OTP delivery. Key Features: Plug & Play: Works immediately using standard WordPress email delivery. Multi-Recipient System: Send OTPs to the logging-in user, a manager email, or selected users. Multi-Channel Delivery: Choose multiple delivery methods simultaneously (Email, SendGrid, WhatsApp, SMS, Webhook). WhatsApp Integration: Send OTPs directly via WhatsApp using Twilio API. SMS Integration: Deliver OTPs via SMS using Twilio API. SendGrid API V3: Native integration for high-deliverability emails. Webhook Support: Connect to custom webhooks for advanced automation flows. Secure OTPs: 6-digit one-time passwords that expire automatically. Browser Trust: “Remember this device” functionality to reduce friction for authorized users. Advanced Attack Protection (v1.4.2): Credential stuffing detection, progressive delays, username enumeration protection. External Services This plugin may connect to external third-party services depending on your configuration. Below is a detailed explanation of what services are used, what data is sent, and when: SendGrid Email API (Optional) If you select “SendGrid API” as your delivery method in the plugin settings, this plugin will send data to SendGrid’s email service to deliver one-time password (OTP) codes. Service: SendGrid by Twilio What it’s used for: Sending two-factor authentication codes via email with improved deliverability When data is sent: Every time a user attempts to log in and 2FA is enabled Data sent: Recipient email address (user’s email or manager email if configured) Sender email address (configured in plugin settings) Site name Username attempting to log in 6-digit one-time password code Email subject and HTML body API Endpoint: https://api.sendgrid.com/v3/mail/send Terms of Service: https://www.twilio.com/legal/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.twilio.com/legal/privacy Important: You must have a SendGrid account and API key to use this feature. You are responsible for complying with SendGrid’s terms of service and ensuring proper data handling practices. Twilio API for WhatsApp & SMS (Optional) If you select “WhatsApp” or “SMS” as delivery methods, the plugin will send data to Twilio’s API to deliver one-time password codes. Service: Twilio What it’s used for: Sending two-factor authentication codes via WhatsApp and/or SMS When data is sent: Every time a user attempts to log in and 2FA is enabled with WhatsApp/SMS selected Data sent: Recipient phone number (from user meta field ‘billing_phone’) Sender phone number (WhatsApp number or SMS number configured in settings) Site name Username attempting to log in 6-digit one-time password code Message body API Endpoint: https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01/Accounts/{AccountSid}/Messages.json Terms of Service: https://www.twilio.com/legal/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.twilio.com/legal/privacy Important: You must have a Twilio account with WhatsApp and/or SMS capabilities enabled. Phone numbers must be stored in user meta (field: ‘billing_phone’). You are responsible for complying with Twilio’s terms of service. Custom Webhook (Optional) If you select “Webhook” as a delivery method, the plugin will send login notification data to a webhook URL you configure. Service: Custom webhook endpoint (configured by you) What it’s used for: Sending login notifications to external systems for custom processing When data is sent: Every time a user attempts to log in and 2FA is enabled Data sent: Site name Username attempting to log in User email address 6-digit one-time password code Recipient information array Timestamp of login attempt Endpoint: User-configured webhook URL Important: When using the webhook option, you are responsible for the security and privacy compliance of the endpoint you configure. Ensure your webhook endpoint uses HTTPS and follows proper data protection practices. Standard WordPress Email (Default) By default, this plugin uses WordPress’s built-in wp_mail() function, which does not involve any external services unless your WordPress installation is configured to use a third-party SMTP service.

Secure WordPress login with this two factor authentication (TFA / 2FA) plugin. Users for whom it is enabled will require a one-time code in order to log in. From the authors of UpdraftPlus – WP’s #1 backup/restore plugin, with over two million active installs. Are you completely new to TFA? If so, please see our FAQ. Features (please see the “Screenshots” for more information): Supports standard TOTP + HOTP protocols (and so supports Google Authenticator, Authy, and many others). Displays graphical QR codes for easy scanning into apps on your phone/tablet TFA can be made available on a per-role basis (e.g. available for admins, but not for subscribers) TFA can be turned on or off by each user TFA can be required for specified user levels, after a defined time period (e.g. require all admins to have TFA, once their accounts are a week old) (Premium version), including forcing them to immediately set up (by redirecting them to the page to do so) Supports front-end editing of settings, via [twofactor_user_settings] shortcode (i.e. users don’t need access to the WP dashboard). (The Premium version allows custom designing of any layout you wish). Site owners can allow “trusted devices” on which TFA codes are only asked for a chosen number of days (instead of every login); e.g. 30 days (Premium version) Encrypt the TFA-generating secret keys using an on-disk encryption key, so that an attacker would need to break into both your WordPress database and your files in order to break TFA codes (as well as breaking a user’s password in order to use them) Works together with “Theme My Login” (both forms and widgets) Includes support for the WooCommerce and Affiliates-WP login forms Includes support for Ultimate Membership Pro Includes support for CozmosLabs Profile Builder Includes support for Ultimate Member login forms (Premium version) Includes support for Elementor Pro login forms (Premium version) Includes support for bbPress login forms (Premium version) Includes support for Easy Digital Downloads login forms (Premium version) Includes support for RegistrationMagic login forms (Premium version) Includes support for login forms from the Gravity Forms User Registration add-on (Premium version) Includes support for login forms (shortcode forms only) from Paid Memberships Pro (Premium version) Includes support for any and every third-party login form (Premium version) without any further coding needed via appending your TFA code to the end of your password Does not mention or request second factor until the user has been identified as one with TFA enabled (i.e. nothing is shown to users who do not have it enabled) WP Multisite compatible (plugin should be network activated) Simplified user interface and code base for ease of use and performance Added a number of extra security checks to the original forked code Alert users if someone appears to have found out their password, as indicated by successfully entering a password but repeatedly entering an incorrect TFA code. Emergency codes for when you lose your phone/tablet (Premium version) When using the front-end shortcode (Premium version), require the user to enter the current TFA code correctly to be able to activate TFA Works together with “WP Members” (shortcode form) Administrators can access other users’ codes, and turn them on/off when needed (Premium version) Why use TFA / 2FA ? Read this! https://www.wired.com/2012/08/apple-amazon-mat-honan-hacking/ How Does TFA / 2FA Work? This plugin uses the industry standard TFA / 2FA algorithm TOTP or HOTP for creating One Time Passwords. These are used by Google Authenticator, Authy, and many other OTP applications that you can deploy on your phone etc. A TOTP code is valid for a certain time. Whatever program you use (i.e. Google Authenticator, etc.) will show a different code every so often. Plugin Notes This plugin began life in early 2015 as a friendly fork and enhancement of Oscar Hane’s “two factor auth” plugin.