Two-factor authentication (2FA) is something that’s used when you log in somewhere. One example where it can be used is cPanel on our web hosting servers. When activated, you need to enter two different factors. In total, there’s three factors: something you know (a password), something you have (a physical item, e.g. a credit card), and something you are (e.g. a fingerprint).
Normally, only one factor is used when you log in somewhere, and this is something you know (your password). Nowadays, it’s popular to add something you have as an additional factor, most commonly an app on your phone that can generate codes. Hence, your phone becomes the second factor (something you have). When logging in after activating 2FA, you need your password and a code that your app has generated.
2FA apps for mobile
There are several apps that can manage 2FA codes for you, we list a few here:
iOS apps
Authenticator
Authy
Google Authenticator
Step Two
Android apps
2FA Authenticator
Authy
Google Authenticator
Activate 2FA
- Begin by logging on to cPanel.
- Click the icon
Two-Factor Authentication
underSecurity
. - Now, click the blue
Set Up Two-Factor Authentication
button. - Scan the QR code on the screen using your 2FA app (if you don’t have one yet, please refer to the list above).
- Scroll down and enter the numbers generated by the app in the field under
Security Code
. Finally, click the blueConfigure Two-Factor Authentication
button. - You will now get confirmation that 2FA has been activated on your web hosting account.
Deactivate 2FA
- Begin by logging on to cPanel.
- Click the icon
Two-Factor Authentication
underSecurity
. - Now, click the red
Remove Two-Factor Authentication
button. - Confirm that you wish to remove 2FA by clicking the blue
Remove
button. - You will now get confirmation that 2FA has been removed.
If you’ve lost your 2FA code
If you’re no longer able to log on to cPanel due to a lost 2FA code (e.g. if you’ve got a new phone, uninstalled the 2FA app, etc), you can try to access cPanel via our Client area and disable 2FA according to the instructions above.
If this doesn’t work, e.g. if you’ve lost your 2FA and/or other credentials for the Client area, we can help you deactivate 2FA.
To begin the process with deactivating 2FA via us, please send a message from the email address registered on the client account where the affected cPanel account resides. Send the email to support@oderland.se.