Set up a recovery key
User Guide / Security matters / Set up a recovery keyA recovery key is an optional security feature that helps improve the security of your e-cont.md account. If you lose access to your account, you can use your recovery key to reset your password and regain access.
Improve your e-Cont.md account security with a recovery key
A recovery key is a secret 28-digit code that can be used along with a trusted phone number and device to restore access to your account and data.
- When you set up a recovery key, turn off the standard e-Cont.md account recovery.
- Instead, you will need access to a trusted device or recovery key to reset your e-Cont.md account password and sign in to your account if you lose access to it.
This will make it easier for you to recover your account, and will prevent an attacker from accessing and taking control of your account.
If you forgot your account password and lost your trusted device, or it is missing for other reasons, you will need a recovery key to regain access to your e-Cont.md account. If you cannot provide the recovery key, you will lose access to your account permanently.
Print a copy of the recovery key or write it down. Keep the key in a safe place (or better yet, in several places). You can also give a copy of your recovery key to a trusted family member.
Don't store your recovery key in cloud services such as Passwords, Notes, Cloud Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and the like. If you lose access to your account for these cloud services, you won't be able to open those apps to find your key.
Furthermore, if access to your cloud services is compromised, your recovery key will be compromised also.
What you will need
Before setting up your recovery key, complete the following steps.
- Select a trusted device.
- Set up two-factor authentication, if you haven't already.
Set up a recovery key for your e-Cont.md account
You can generate a recovery key on a trusted device where you're signed in to your e-Cont.md account. After generating a recovery key, you can also follow these steps to update or disable it.
If you disable it, you can use the standard process for restoring access to your e-Cont.md account again.
How to set up or update a recovery key
- Select menu "System Settings".
- Select "Sign-in & Security".
- Click "Recovery Key." You may be asked to enter your e-Cont.md account password.
- Click "Turn On" then "Recovery Key," then enter your password.
- Print or write down the recovery key. Keep it in a safe place.
Do not share the recovery key via email or instant messaging. - Click "Continue."
- To complete setup, confirm your recovery key.
Use a Recovery Key
- Password Reset. To regain access to your e-Cont.md account if your trusted device is missing or blocked, you must enter the recovery key and verification code sent to your trusted phone number or via the Google Authenticator app.
- Updating Account Information. When you edit any information about your e-Cont.md account (for example, adding a trusted phone number), you may be required to enter a recovery key.
Recovery Key and Advanced Data Protection in e-Cont.md
When you enable advanced data protection in e-Cont.md, most e-Cont.md data is end-to-end encrypted. This means e-Cont.md does not have the encryption keys needed to restore this data. Therefore, you must configure at least one alternative recovery method: a trusted account holder or a recovery key.
If you use advanced data protection and specify both a recovery key and a recovery contact (trusted agent), you can use either method to regain access to your account.