Configure Joomla Two-factor Authentication (OTP over SMS)

What is Two Factor Authentication ?

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) also called two-step verification is a security process in which a user has to pass two different authentication factors to gain access to an account or a computer system.

Two Factor Authentication 2FA for Joomla plugin is highly secure & easy to set up for your Joomla site. Rather than relying on a password alone, which can be phished or guessed. miniOrange adds a second layer of security to your Joomla accounts. It protects your site from hacks and unauthorized login attempts. This plugin also includes a secure method for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

How does Two-Factor authentication (2FA) work ?

Firstly, the user navigates to the login page of the application or a website. For instance www.example.com/login.
User enters a username and password. User’s login credentials are checked by their respective server. This is the first factor of authentication.
The site then prompts the user with the 2nd step authentication E.g Pop up asking for OTP sent over SMS /Email.
When the user enters the second factor like OTP or Push notification it is checked against the database system if the second factor is correct.
After successfully completing the 2nd factor authentication user is granted access to the application or a website.

Setup login with OTP over SMS for the Joomla site. This guide will help you to configure OTP over SMS as Two Factor Authentication ( 2FA ) method so that you can log in with OTP over SMS for your Joomla site. Joomla 2FA Plugin will add a second layer of authentication to your Joomla account to increase the security of your site from unwanted hacks and unauthorized login attempts.

Step 1: Install miniOrange 2-Factor authentication Plugin

Download the zip file for the miniOrange 2-Factor authenticationient plugin for Joomla from the link here.
On your Joomla admin console go to Extensions Manage Install

Under Upload Package File tab. Drag the downloaded file OR upload file by click on browse for file

Go to Components miniorange Two Factor authentication

Step 2: Configure OTP Over SMS 2FA method

Register/Login with miniOrange.

Navigate to Setup Second Factor tab. Select OTP Over SMS and click on the Configure link.
Enter Mobile Number with Country Code and click on Save and Send OTP button.

Joomla 2FA OTP over SMS Download and install OTP Over SMS App

Enter OTP here, and click on Validate button.

Joomla 2FA OTP over SMS Scan the QR code

You have successfully Configured OTP Over SMS of 2-Factor Authentication method. Then click on Test to verify.

Joomla 2FA OTP over SMS Enter the Passcode

Enter OTP from mobile and click on Validate button.

You have successfully configured OTP Over SMS 2-Factor Authentication method.

Joomla 2FA OTP over SMS Successfully configured OTP Over SMS method

Your choice of second factor

miniOrange 2-factor Plugin is extendable to use any of the following 2FA methods. If you want to have any other 2-factor for your Joomla site, Contact Us.