Improving Website Security: How to Automatically Log Out Idle Users on WordPress

If you’re worried about the security of your WordPress website, one effective way to enhance it is by automatically logging out idle users. Similar to banking websites and apps, your WordPress site can protect itself from unauthorized access by forcing inactive users to log in again. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to set up automatic logouts for inactive users in WordPress to ensure the security of your website. By implementing this feature, idle users will be prompted to log in again before continuing their activities.

The Significance of Logging Out Inactive Users

Leaving idle users logged into your website can pose a security risk. For example, if a member of your team leaves their laptop unattended, someone nearby could gain access to sensitive information, change passwords, or even publish and delete posts. Inactive users also make your website more vulnerable to hackers who could take advantage of their accounts. Therefore, it is essential to automatically log out users who have been inactive for a certain period and protect their screens from prying eyes.

Installing the Inactive Logout Plugin

To enable automatic logouts for inactive users, start by installing and activating the Inactive Logout plugin. For a detailed guide on installing a WordPress plugin, refer to our comprehensive guide. Once activated, go to the Settings » Inactive Logout page to configure the plugin.

First, specify the time after which users will be automatically logged out. You can enter the time in minutes, ensuring it strikes a balance between being too short or too long. Next, create a personalized message that will be displayed to inactive users.

Scrolling down, you’ll find additional options that allow you to customize the logout functionality. The default settings are suitable for most websites, but feel free to make changes according to your preferences.

Customizing Plugin Options

• Enable the ‘Popup Background’ option to modify the background color of the screen when a user’s session times out. This ensures that the content is hidden from unwanted eyes.
• The ‘Disable Timeout Countdown’ option removes the countdown warning and instantly logs out idle users.
• If you prefer not to use the auto-logout feature, check the ‘Show Warn Message Only’ option. In this case, a warning message will be displayed, but the user will not be logged out.
• By enabling the ‘Disable Concurrent Logins’ option, you prevent users from accessing the same account from multiple devices or browsers simultaneously.
• To redirect users to a specific page after logout, activate the ‘Enable Redirect’ option.

After reviewing and adjusting the settings, remember to click the ‘Save Changes’ button to save them.

Setting Up Timeout Settings for Different User Roles

If you want to establish timeout rules based on user roles and capabilities, the Inactive Logout plugin offers this functionality. Under the Advanced Management tab on the plugin’s settings page, you can select specific user roles that require different timeout periods, redirects, or even disabled timeout settings.

Once you’ve configured the settings to your satisfaction, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Testing the Plugin

To see the plugin in action, log in to your website and remain idle for the duration specified in the plugin’s settings. After this period, a countdown timer popup will appear. Users can click the ‘Continue’ button to resume their activities without session expiration. Those who don’t click ‘Continue’ will be logged out and directed to the login screen.

However, one potential issue with this approach is that many users rely on password managers or their browser’s built-in password storage capabilities. Consequently, their login popups may already have pre-filled username and password fields, allowing unauthorized access with a simple click. To counteract this, you can add an extra layer of security by implementing two-step verification on the WordPress login screen. This requires users to enter a unique one-time password generated by a smartphone app.

Conclusion

By logging out inactive users and implementing two-factor authentication, you can significantly enhance the security of your WordPress website. Follow the steps outlined in this article to automatically log out idle users, safeguard sensitive information, and protect your website from unauthorized access. For more WordPress security tips, be sure to explore our comprehensive WordPress security guide or check out our expert recommendations for the top drag-and-drop WordPress page builders.

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