Enforcing Strong Authentication and Limiting Login Attempts in WordPress

To enforce strong authentication and limit login attempts in WordPress, you should implement a combination of the following best practices:

1. Enforce Strong Password Policies
   Require users to create strong passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Use plugins like Password Policy Manager to enforce these rules and encourage regular password updates.

2. Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
   Add an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond the password. Use popular 2FA plugins such as Google Authenticator, Authy, or Duo to enable 2FA for all users, especially administrators.

3. Limit Login Attempts and Apply Lockout Policies
   Prevent brute force attacks by restricting the number of failed login attempts allowed from a single IP address (e.g., 3-5 attempts). After exceeding this limit, lock out the IP for a set duration (e.g., 24 hours) and display generic error messages to avoid revealing valid usernames. Plugins like Limit Login Attempts Reloaded or Wordfence can automate this.

4. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
   Deploy a WAF service such as Cloudflare or Sucuri to block malicious traffic before it reaches your login page. Some security plugins also include basic WAF features to help mitigate attacks.

5. Additional Security Measures

   • Use SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt login data.
   • Hide or rename the login page to reduce automated attack exposure.
   • Use CAPTCHA to prevent automated login attempts.
   • Disable inactive accounts and restrict login times for added control.

6. Consider Advanced Authentication Plugins
   Plugins like Descope offer enterprise-grade authentication features including passwordless login, phishing-resistant MFA, and single sign-on (SSO), enhancing both security and user experience.

By combining strong password enforcement, two-factor authentication, limiting login attempts, and deploying firewalls, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and brute force attacks on your WordPress site.