BaseCloud Shield vs Yubikey

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.

This plugin dramatically enhances the security of your WordPress website by adding Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) in the form of One Time Passwords (OTP) using Yubikey USB Tokens. In addition to providing your username and password to login, this plugin requests an OTP code generated by a Yubikey, validates this via an API and only grants access if this check passes. The requirement to use an OTP can be set on a user by user basis and there is also a feature to require users above a certain privilege level to always use OTP. External services This plugin connects to an API to validate the OTP tokens generated by your security key. This is required because storing the private keys on the same web server as the site you wish to protect would be a security risk. By default Yubico’s own validation server is employed, although you may setup your own server and use this instead The default Yubico API only collects the one time password (OTP) data as provided by your security key when you login. The service validates this and then stores this token as “used” so it may not be replayed as part of an attack. It does not collect any other data (such as what URL is being authenticated using the key etc.) This service is provided by “Yubico AB”: Privacy Policy, Terms of Use