Digital security is more critical than ever and protecting web applications against unauthorized access is a priority for developers and businesses alike.

Django offers robust security features out of the box. However, as cyber threats evolve, additional layers of security like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) become essential.

This is where Django-MFA2 comes into play— it is designed to integrate MFA into Django applications.

In this article, we will explore what Django-MFA2 is, how it works, and why it's a valuable tool for enhancing application security.

What is Django-MFA2?

Django-MFA2 is an open-source Django package that provides an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity using multiple authentication methods.

Traditionally, web applications rely on single-factor authentication, typically a username and password.

However, Django-MFA2 introduces a secondary verification step through various forms like OTPs (One Time Passwords), U2F (Universal 2nd Factor) devices, and TOTP (Time-based One Time Passwords).

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Key Features of Django-MFA2

Here are some of the key features of Django-MFA2:

  • Versatility in Authentication Methods: Django-MFA2 supports multiple forms of authentication, including OTPs sent via email or SMS, TOTP applications like Google Authenticator or Authy, and hardware tokens like YubiKey.
  • Easy Integration: The package is designed to be seamlessly integrated into existing Django projects without requiring substantial changes to the application structure or database.
  • Customizable and Flexible: Developers can customize Django-MFA2 to fit specific requirements, whether it’s adjusting the authentication flow or modifying the user interface.
  • High-Security Standards: By adding an additional authentication step, Django-MFA2 significantly increases security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if a user’s primary password is compromised.

How Django-MFA2 Works

Integrating Django-MFA2 into a Django project involves several key steps:

Installation and Setup

Developers start by installing the Django-MFA2 package using pip and adding it to their project’s settings.

pip install django-mfa2

Configuration

The package needs to be configured to specify which authentication methods will be available and how they should be implemented.

Add mfa to your INSTALLED_APPS in your Django project's settings.py file:

INSTALLED_APPS = [
    ...
    'mfa',
    ...
]

Next, you need to collect the static files belonging to Django-MFA2:

python manage.py collectstatic

To include MFA-related URLs in your Django project, modify your urls.py file as follows:

from django.urls import include, path
import mfa
from mfa.TrustedDevice import add as add_trusted_device

urlpatterns = [
    ...,
    path('mfa/', include('mfa.urls')),  # Include MFA URLs for handling MFA processes.
    path('devices/add', add_trusted_device, name="mfa_add_new_trusted_device"),  # Link to add a new trusted device.
    ...,
]

After you need to configure the desired authentication methods in the settings.py:

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Django Security