Do you want to add security questions to your WordPress login screen?
Many financial institutions and large companies require you to add security questions to your account for identity verification. You can do the same thing to improve the security of your WordPress site.
In this article, we will show you how to add security questions to your WordPress login screen.
Why Add Security Questions in WordPress?
There are many ways to protect the WordPress admin area from unauthorized access. However, if you run a multi-user or WordPress membership site, then it is harder to balance security with user experience.
Adding security questions to your login screen can help. Before your users can log in to your WordPress website, they will be required to answer one or more questions that other users shouldn’t know the answer to.
An alternative is two-factor authentication or 2FA. This option is more secure but requires a little more effort to set up. You can learn more by reading our guide on how to add two-factor authentication in WordPress.
Having said that, let’s see how you can easily add security questions to your WordPress login screen.
Adding Security Questions to Your Login Screen
First, you need to install and activate the Two Factor Authentication plugin. For more details, see our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
In this tutorial, we will use the free version of the plugin. With the free version, you can set up security questions for up to three users, and they must have the administrator role.
If you want to use the plugin with more users or users who are not administrators, then you will need to purchase a premium license.
Upon activation, you need to visit the Multi-factor Authentication » Two Factor page to set up the plugin. Once there, simply click the ‘Configure’ button that you will find at the bottom of the Security Questions section.
On the next page, you can select two questions from the dropdown menus. You will have to type the third question yourself.
Once you have chosen the questions, you will need to type in your answers.
Make sure you click the ‘Save’ button to store your settings.
The plugin will display a success message that confirms your security questions have been configured. You can dismiss the message by clicking the ‘Got it!’ button.
Note that these questions and answers are for you alone. Other users on your WordPress website will need to visit this page and set up their own questions.
When you log in to your website, you will still see the standard WordPress login page. You will need to enter your username and password as usual.
After clicking the ‘Log In’ button, you will be asked to validate your login by answering two questions. You will need to correctly type the answers to those questions and then click the ‘Validate’ button.
Our Best Guides for Login Screen Security
Adding security questions to the login screen is just one way to make your WordPress website more secure. Here are some guides on other ways you can protect your login screen:
- How and Why You Should Limit Login Attempts in WordPress
- How to Add CAPTCHA in WordPress Login and Registration Form
- How to Add Passwordless Login in WordPress with Magic Links
- How to Disable Login Hints in WordPress Login Error Messages
- How To Add Social Login To WordPress (The Easy Way)
- How to Add a Custom Login URL in WordPress (Step by Step)
We hope this tutorial helped you learn how to add security questions to your WordPress login screen. You may also want to see our guide on how to get a free SSL certificate for your WordPress website or our expert picks of the best WordPress hosting services.
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Izzy says
Is there a way to do this without a plugin?
WPBeginner Support says
It would require some coding but we do not have a beginner-friendly method to set this up without a plugin at the moment.
Admin
Bette Greenfield says
Is the information in this article up to date. Last updated on September 26th, 2016 by Editorial Staff
WPBeginner Support says
The plugin should still be working but the plugin may have updated their interface since this article was last updated
Admin
chris says
I just tried this plugin its totally crap
there no answer box just the question boxes. ???
WPBeginner Support says
You can add your own questions and answers in plugins settings page.
Admin
chris says
yes i know this, however the plugin only gave me the questions with no answer box
that is very strange with a glitch like that.
chris says
I did all that and still even with putting an answer in or not it still doesn’t work it’s a crappy plugin no good to anyone.
I would not recommend this to my friends.
How embarrassing for this developer to put this out and for you to recommend.
bad bad bad
Dean Bartley says
I tried it and it works just fine. Your plugins or theme must be conflicting with the plugin. And I really don’t see why your behaving the way you are. They are just trying to help. Chill with the negative comment and be thankful they are recommending stuff. If you don’t agree that is your opinion. Thanks for the recommendation wpbeginner. Keep up the good work.