What is 2-factor authentication?

2-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Customer Panel account. When 2FA is enabled, you log in using your password and a one-time code generated by an authenticator app on your phone.

Below you’ll find instructions on how to turn 2FA on, turn it off, or reset it - depending on which Customer Panel interface you are using.

Table of contents

New Customer Panel (new.contabo.com)

In the new Customer Panel, you can manage 2FA under: ‘Account’ → ‘Security & Access’ → ‘Authentication’.

Turn on 2-factor authentication

1. Install an authenticator app
   Install an authenticator app that supports TOTP (Time-based One-Time Passwords), such as:
   • Google Authenticator
   • Microsoft Authenticator
2. Open the 2FA settings
   Log in to the Customer Panel at new.contabo.com, then go to ‘Account’ → ‘Security & Access’ → ‘Authentication’.
3. Enable 2FA
   Under ‘2 Factor Authentication’, switch on ‘Activate 2 Factor Authentication’.
   
   

   Note: After enabling the toggle, you will be prompted to configure 2FA on your next login.

4. Log out and log in again
   Log out of the Customer Panel, then log in again to start the setup.
5. Scan the QR code
   During login, you will see a setup screen with a QR code. Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code.
   
   If you cannot scan the QR code, use the ‘Unable to scan?’ option on the page.
6. Enter your one-time code
   Enter the one-time code generated by your authenticator app into the ‘One-time code’ field.
7. Set a device name
   Enter a name in the ‘Device Name’ field (for example, “My phone”) to help you manage your OTP devices.
8. Finish setup
   Click ‘Submit’ to complete the setup.

Turn off 2-factor authentication

In the new Customer Panel, 2FA can be disabled from the same section where it is enabled.

1. Open the 2FA settings
   Log in at new.contabo.com and go to ‘Account’ → ‘Security & Access’ → ‘Authentication’.
2. Disable 2FA
   Under ‘2 Factor Authentication’, switch off ‘Activate 2 Factor Authentication’.

Reset 2-factor authentication

Resetting 2FA means removing your current authenticator connection and setting it up again. This is useful if you changed phones or no longer have access to your authenticator app.

1. Disable 2FA
   Follow the steps in Turn off 2-factor authentication.
2. Enable 2FA again
   Follow the steps in Turn on 2-factor authentication to connect a new device/app.

Original Customer Control Panel (my.contabo.com)

Note: The steps below apply only to the original Customer Control Panel at my.contabo.com.

Turn on 2-factor authentication

1. Install an authenticator app
   Install an authentication application such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator on your phone.
2. Log in to the Customer Control Panel
   Log in to the Customer Control Panel.
3. Open ‘Customer details’
   Click ‘Customer details’ from the blue control panel box on the left-hand side.
4. Find the 2FA section
   Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section called ‘2-factor authentication for the customer control panel’.
5. Start activation
   Click ‘Activate 2-factor authentication’.
6. Save your recovery code
   A window will open with information and a QR code. Write down the recovery code and store it safely.
7. Scan the QR code
   Scan the QR code with your authenticator app.
8. Enter the one-time password
   Enter the one-time password from your authenticator app into the field below the QR code.
9. Confirm recovery code storage
   Check ‘I confirm that I have copied and stored the recovery code at a safe place.’
10. Confirm activation
    Click ‘Activate 2-factor authentication’.
11. Verify your account details
    A new window will ask you to verify your account details. Confirm the details are correct and check ‘I confirm that the above mentioned details are correct.’
12. Finish activation
    Click ‘Activate 2-factor authentication’ to complete the setup.

Turn off 2-factor authentication

1. Log in to the Customer Control Panel
   Log in to the Customer Control Panel.
2. Open ‘Customer details’
   Click ‘Customer details’ in the blue control panel box on the left-hand side.
3. Find the 2FA section
   Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section called ‘2-factor authentication for the customer control panel’.
4. Deactivate 2FA
   Click ‘Deactivate 2-factor authentication’. A confirmation window will open.
   
   
5. Confirm deactivation
   Click ‘Deactivate 2-factor authentication’ to confirm.

Reset 2-factor authentication

Resetting your 2-factor authentication means your current 2FA will be deactivated and a new 2FA setup will be created. This can be done using the same app or a different authenticator app.

1. Log in to the Customer Control Panel
   Log in to the Customer Control Panel.
2. Open ‘Customer details’
   Click ‘Customer details’ from the blue control panel box on the left-hand side.
3. Find the 2FA section
   Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section called ‘2-factor authentication for the customer control panel’.
4. Start reset
   Click ‘Reset 2-factor authentication’.
5. Save your new recovery code
   A window will open with a QR code and a new recovery code. Store the new recovery code safely.
6. Scan the QR code
   Scan the QR code using your authenticator app.
7. Enter the one-time password
   Enter the one-time password from your authenticator app into the field underneath the QR code.
8. Confirm recovery code storage
   Check ‘I confirm that I have copied and stored the recovery code at a safe place.’
9. Confirm activation
   Click ‘Activate 2-factor authentication’.
10. Verify your account details
    Confirm your details are correct and check ‘I confirm that the above mentioned details are correct.’
11. Finish activation
    Click ‘Activate 2-factor authentication’ to complete the reset.

Having issues logging in with 2FA?

See: I can’t login to my account with 2-factor authentication, what can I do?