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How To Setup Two-Factor Authentication For cPanel

This function allows you to configure two-factor authentication (2FA), an improved security measure for the login interface of cPanel. Two-factor authentication requires two forms of identification:

  • Your password.
  • A generated security code.

When you enable 2FA, an application on your smartphone supplies a code that you must enter with your password to log in. Without your smartphone, you cannot log in. For more information about 2FA, read Wikipedia's Two-Factor Authentication article.

2FA requires a smartphone with a supported time-based one-time password (TOTP) app. cPanel suggests the following apps:

Enable 2FA 

  1. Locate Two-Factor Authentication under Security on the cPanel homepage.

    cPanel Home Screen with 2FA

  2. Select Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on the page that appears.

    Setup 2FA

  3. A new page will appear. Using your preferred two-factor authentication device (e.g. DuoMobile) scan the QR code that appears. If you do not have a QR code reader, there is the option to manually configure the two-factor authentication within your app by using the blue box titled Don’t have a QR code reader?.

    QR screen

  4. Enter the security code you receive in your 2FA app after scanning the QR code/ manually configuring the two-factor authentication in the Security Code box. 

    You must enter the security code within 30 seconds. After time expires, the app will generate a new six-digit code.

  5. Click Configure Two-Factor Authentication. Two-factor authentication has now been enabled on your account.

Remove 2FA

To remove 2FA, click Remove Two-Factor Authentication.

Reconfigure 2FA

To reconfigure 2FA, click Reconfigure. Then, follow the steps to configure 2FA.

If you reconfigure 2FA for your account, any existing configurations will no longer produce valid security codes.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions about enabling 2FA on cPanel, A2 Hosting’s customer support team will be more than happy to assist you. The support team can assist via LiveChat, by submitting a support ticket, or by phone.