Your cPanel password controls access to multiple critical services, including the cPanel interface itself, MySQL databases, SSH access, and the primary FTP account. Keeping this password secure and updated is an essential part of account security.
When You Should Change the Password
You should change your cPanel password in the following situations:
- Immediately after setting up a new hosting account
- On a regular schedule as part of routine security maintenance
- If you suspect unauthorized access
- After sharing temporary access with a third party
Strong password practices are especially important on environments such as cPanel hosting environments, where multiple services rely on a single set of credentials.
Accessing the Password Settings in cPanel
To change the password, you must first log in to the cPanel home screen.
[Screenshot placeholder: cPanel home screen]
From the main interface, locate the Preferences section.
[Screenshot placeholder: Preferences section highlighted in cPanel]
Click Password & Security to open the password management page.
Changing the cPanel Password
On the Password & Security page, complete the following steps.
- Enter the current password in the Old Password field
- Enter the new password in the New Password field
- Re-enter the new password in the confirmation field
[Screenshot placeholder: Password & Security form fields]
cPanel provides a built-in password generator that can create a strong random password. Using this tool is recommended for better security.
[Screenshot placeholder: cPanel password generator dialog]
After entering the new password, click Change your password now. The update takes effect immediately.
Password Reset Options
If you forget the cPanel password, recovery options depend on the server configuration.
On many shared and reseller hosting accounts, password resets can be initiated through the client portal. On some managed VPS and dedicated server platforms, password resets must be performed directly from the cPanel login screen using the reset option.
If the reset option is not visible, support intervention may be required to enable self-service recovery.
Best Practices for Password Security
To reduce the risk of account compromise:
- Use long, unique passwords
- Avoid reusing passwords from other services
- Store credentials securely
- Update passwords regularly
Maintaining a secure cPanel password helps protect not only the control panel, but also services running on cloud server infrastructure that depend on the same credentials.