1.1 Q. What is the security level of the registration website?
A. The informational pages of the eAuthentication system are public information and are not encrypted. However, once a user clicks "Continue" to move into the registration forms, the online form is displayed via a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) communication between web browser and the web server.
The encrypted connection indicates the web site is secure and can be verified by seeing the SSL symbol (a padlock in Internet Explorer) in the browser. A mouse-over on the symbol shows that SSL 128-bit encryption is being applied to the connection.
1.2 Q. Where can I find examples of payroll and personnel data?
1.3 Q. How can I reduce the risk of an unsuccessful on-line registration?
1. Carefully read all of the instructions provided by the Agency Registration Lead and the eAuthentication Employee Registration Web pages.
2. Register using yodur entire 9 digit Social Security Number (SSN). If you only enter the last 4 digits of your SSN that is provided on the on-line version of the Earnings and Leave Statement, the system will not be able to match the SSN and your credentialing process will end unsuccessfully.
3. Register using the State and City shown in the Name and Address section in the lower left hand corner of your Earnings and Leave Statement (AD-334). This is the City and State your earnings and Leave Statement is mailed to. Do NOT register using the City or State of birth. Do NOT use the city and state where your office is located unless you also happen to get your "home" mail sent there.
4. Register using NET Pay. This is the amount after taxes minus any travel or awards. Do not register using annual salary or gross paycheck amount (amount before taxes and deductions)
5. Review the information you have entered to verify the information before submitting it. Most unsuccessful registrations are a result of typographical errors.
6. If you are taken to a page displaying an "unsuccessful registration" notice:
Print the page and retain for future reference. A security pass code is generated and displayed on this page. If the eAuthentication team cannot approve the account using the visual confirmation process, they must contact you by telephone to prove your identity and approve the account. The pass code is a security measure and will be quoted to you by the eAuthentication Team member making the telephone call. The security pass code provides assurance to you that the person calling is really a member of the eAuthentication team.
Be patient and wait for either the confirmation email indicating your account was approved, or the telephone call from the eAuthentication Team to verify your identity and approve your account.
Do not attempt to re-register for an account unless instructed by the eAuthentication Team member that the registration was denied or after receiving a registration denial email from the eAuthentication Service.
1.4 Q. What happens when my information does not match the NFC payroll/personnel records during on-line registration?
1. The account will need to be processed and approved manually by member of the eAuthentication Team. This is a two step process. First, the eAuthentication team attempts to validate the employee's identity through a visual confirmation process. If the discrepancy is within a set criterion (indicating a minor typo during the registration process), the employee's account will be approved with no further contact from the eAuthentication Team. The employee will be notified of the approval via email and will be instructed to activate the account by clicking on the included http link.
2. If your registration cannot be approved using the visual process, you will have to be interviewed via telephone to confirm your identity and approve your account. You should refer your copy of the "unsuccessful registration" screen providing the security pass code. The eAuthentication Team member will quote this code to you as a security measure.
3. The eAuthentication Team member will telephone you at your phone number on record (via the USDA online directory) to confirm your identity and approve your account. They will make three separate attempts to contact you. If they do not contact you after the 3rd attempt, the account will be denied and you will have to re-register. You will receive an email to this effect.
4. If the ARL does not provide the telephone number as requested within 3 business days, the account will be denied and you will have to re-register. You will receive an email to this effect.
1.5 Q. Why am I being prompted to answer questions after logging in?
A. This set of questions and your answers are helping us accomplish some important goals, including:
1. Increasing the security of your account. The answers to these questions are much more difficult to research than our current security attributes.
2. Making it easier for you to retrieve your forgotten password. Over the years many people have struggled to remember some of their security attributes. It is our hope that the security questions and answers will be more memorable for all account owners.
1.6 Q. If I move from one agency to another, do I have to get a new credential?
A. There is no need to register for a new credential, personnel information is periodically updated within the eAuthentication system and your account will reflect the new agency.
1.7 Q. The Employee Profile won't accept the User ID I have created. Why?
A. The User ID is already in use by someone else. Since User IDs are required to be unique, you can not use the same one.
1.8 Q. I don't see a confirmation email from the USDA, but I am within the seven (7) day window.
A. It is common that anti-spam software in your email software or at your email servers can interfere with the USDA's confirmation email message to you. Look in folders other than your "Inbox" such as "SPAM", "Junk Mail", "Bulk", or "Suspected SPAM". In addition, some Internet Service Providers include a service that captures suspected SPAM and maintains these files outside of your individual email account.
If after 24 hours you do not receive the confirmation email:
1. Turn off your email provider's filters.
2. Turn off your personal email filter settings.
3. If it has been more than one day since the account was created and you have searched, but can't find the activation email, then be sure that you don't have any filters, forwarding, or anti-spam measures that might affect your incoming mail.
1.9 Q. I couldn't get either the link in the Confirmation email or the long string technique to work. What now?
A. We suggest you forward the entire Activation email you received to the ITS Service Desk for troubleshooting at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov. Please include your User ID and the date you attempted to confirm your email.
Agency Registration Lead FAQs:
1.10 Q. What are my Roles and Responsibilities as an Agency Registration Lead?
A. You will support and execute eAuthentication registration activities and initiatives, maintain intra departmental communication efforts in regards to employee credentialing, and coordinate with application owners who plan to use the new credentials to protect their applications. Specifically, you will:
1. Assist employees in locating their HR Representative.
2. Assist the eAuthentication team in locating official phone number for employees attempting to register with the service.
3. Customize instruction templates and Job Aids and communicate them to Agency employees in accordance with the Agency Roll out plan.
1.11 Q. What should I do when I receive e-mails from the eAuthentication Team?
A. Two types of emails will be sent to you. First, you will receive automated notifications of all employee registrations that have been denied for their agency. This is to allow you to track the numbers and types of employee failures if desired. No further action is required upon receipt of these emails.
The second type of email is sent to you when the eAuthentication team (usually the Help Desk) is unable to continue processing an employee registration due to a lack of contact information. If the employee is unable to pass the online data verification process, the Help Desk will contact them at their official phone number to complete the manual verification process. If the employee's phone number cannot be located, the Help Desk will request your help in determining the official phone number for the employee.
Please respond to these emails with the phone number of record for the employee in question, or if the employee information is incorrect or the person is not an employee of your Agency. If you do not provide the telephone number as requested within 3 business days, the account will be denied and the employee will have to re-register.
1.12 Q. I have provided the eAuthentication Team with the requested telephone number for the employee, what happens next?
A. Once you send a phone number to the eAuthentication team, the eAuthentication team will attempt to call the employee to complete the registration process. The employee should not sign up again, nor should you take any further action.
The eAuthentication team will be in touch with the employee as soon as possible and will try to resolve the issue. If the registration cannot be successfully completed via phone, the registration will be denied. In this case, the employee should contact their HR Representative to ensure that payroll and personnel data is correct.
1.13 Q. What enhancements Have Been Implemented To Improve The Employee Registration Experience?
A. Recent changes include improvements in the time needed to display the list of cities, updates to the text to provide better guidance on City and State, Paycheck Amount and changes to the Duty Station requirements to allow letters.
1.14 Q. What employees should apply for the USDA eAuthentication service Employee Credential with Level 2 Access?
A. eAuthentication credentials should be distributed to all USDA employees in a timely manner to coincide with the Agency applications and employee need for their job functions or access USDA-specific sites such as AgLearn, retirement calculators, or Human Resources information. Employees should use their USDA issued email address, but if the agency has not issued an official USDA email address, the employee can use whichever email address that they use to correspond with USDA officially.
Complete compliance for an agency will be achieved when
1) all *eligible* employees with an immediate need have registered for their eAuthentication employee credentials and
2) a process is in place to register all other *eligible* employees when there is a need. This does not include any students, part-time, or seasonal employees or any other employees who will not ever require eAuthentication employee credentials.
The types and numbers of employees who should receive credentials and the time frame for their credentialing should be detailed in the eAuthentication Agency Roll out Plans. Because the eAuthentication employee credentialing data comes from the personnel and payroll databases at NFC, the eAuthentication team has no method to determine which Agency employees should be eligible for credentials and which should not. Therefore, the bi-monthly reports on employee credentialing progress should not be interpreted to show the percentage of overall compliance as it will include the names of employees that the agencies deem to not need eAuthentication employee credentials.
1.15 Q. How can I best avoid not being able to use my new account?
A. Please confirm that the email address you enter into the new employee account is correct and that you can receive email at that address. Most of the activation email failures employees have experienced are due to incorrect email addresses.
1.16 Q. Are there detailed instructions on creating a
password that meets NIST standards?
A.
Yes. For step-by-step instructions of the
eAuthentication account registration process please
view the
Registration Job-Aid.
A. Any public customer who would like to conduct business with the USDA can establish an eAuthentication account on this Web site. However, an account with Level 2 access is required to conduct official electronic business transactions with the USDA via the Internet.
USDA Employees may register for a Public Customer eAuthentication Account ONLY when they would like to conduct PERSONAL business with the USDA. Do NOT register for a Customer Account if you need an Employee Account! Only Employee accounts can be used successfully for official business at USDA websites.
If you are a USDA Federal Employee , you should continue with the USDA eAuthentication Employee Create an Account process.
2.2 Q. Do I have to submit an application for an account for Level 1 access and then submit another one for Level 2 access?
A. You only need a single account to do business with the USDA at any eAuthentication-protected website. However, an account with Level 2 access is required to conduct official electronic business transactions with the USDA via the Internet.
2.3 Q. I signed up for an eAuthentication account with Level 1 or 2 access. What is my next required step?
A. ALL levels of eAuthentication access require you follow the directions in the Confirmation email you received at the email address provided in your profile.
2.4 Q. How long do I have to respond to the Confirmation email?
A. You have a maximum of seven (7) days to respond to the Confirmation email, or your account will be deleted. You can respond by using the link provided in the Confirmation email.
2.5 Q. It's after the seven (7) day period and I didn't respond in time. What now?
A. After seven (7) days the account you created was deleted. You must start the entire process over to create a new eAuthentication account. You will need to use a new User ID. You cannot use your previously selected User ID. You must follow the instructions on your confirmation email within the required seven (7) day time frame.
2.6 Q. If my account is deleted because I didn't respond within the seven (7) day limit, can I use the same User ID?
A. No, that User ID cannot be used again. You must create a new unique User ID.
2.7 Q. The Customer Profile won't accept the User ID I have created. Why?
A. The User ID is already in use by someone else. Since User IDs are required to be unique, you can not use the same one.
2.8 Q. I don't see a confirmation email from the USDA, but I am within the seven (7) day window.
A. It is common that anti-spam software in your email software or at your email servers can interfere with the USDA's confirmation email message to you. Look in folders other than your "Inbox" such as "SPAM", "Junk Mail", "Bulk", or "Suspected SPAM". In addition, some Internet Service Providers include a service that captures suspected SPAM and maintains these files outside of your individual email account.
If after 24 hours you do not receive the confirmation email:
1. Turn off your email provider's filters.
2. Turn off your personal email filter settings.
3. If it has been more than one day since the account was created and you have searched, but can't find the confirmation email, then be sure that you don't have any filters, forwarding, or anti-spam measures that might affect your incoming mail. Once you've completed that, then create a new account and be ready to respond to the confirmation email. Be advised that you will not be able to use the same User ID.
2.9 Q. I never found my first confirmation email, so as you suggested, I turned off my anti-spam and filters and created another account. It's been a day and still no confirmation email. What now?
A. Email the eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov and explain the situation in detail. Provide your first and last names and the User ID for any accounts you created. Since you now have multiple accounts, please identify the single account that you wish to use and authorize the Help Desk to disable the others.
2.10 Q. I can't get the link in the Confirmation email to work. What now?
A. At the bottom of the Confirmation email is long string of alphabetic and numeric characters. Copy and paste the entire string of characters into the address window of your browser and press the Enter key.
2.11 Q. I couldn't get either the link in the Confirmation email or the long string technique to work. What now?
A. We suggest you forward the entire Confirmation email you received to the ITS Service Desk for troubleshooting at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov. Please include your User ID and the date you attempted to confirm your email.
2.12 Q. I signed up for an account with Level 1 access and confirmed my email address. What now?
A. Your account is ready to use! You can access any USDA application that requires an account with Level 1 access.
2.13 Q. I signed up for an account with Level 2 access
and confirmed my email address. What now?
A. You must visit a local USDA Service Center in person for identity proofing.
Take your government issued photo ID (e.g. State issued drivers license, State
issued ID, US Passport or US Military ID) to the nearest USDA Service Center most
convenient to you for identity proofing.
Note: Your first and last names must appear exactly as they appear on your
government issued photo ID that you present at the Service Center.
2.14 Q. I logged into my Level 2 account and was prompted to answer questions. Why did this happen?
A. USDA eAuthentication is trying to make it easier for all customers to retrieve their forgotten password and increase account security. The security questions and answers are a way to make your information more personal (memorable) and more difficult to research.
If you forget your password in the future, you will now be asked to answer these questions instead of entering your original security attributes.
2.15 Q. How do I locate my nearest USDA Service Center?
A. Please browse to Service Center. This site will let you find your nearest
Service Center along with contact information and map directions to find it.
2.16 Q. I had a WebCAAF account and/or a User ID and password
before 10/21/2003. Do I need to apply for an eAuthentication account?
A. No. Your previous account is the best one for you to use. It is an account
with Level 2 access. If you know the User ID, but don't remember the password
or it doesn't work, send an email requesting a password reset together with your
first and last names, your User ID and the last four digits of your Social Security
number to the ITS Service Desk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or call 800-457-3642.
2.17 Q. I am a USDA employee, do I need to register for
an eAuthentication account?
A. USDA is in the process of registering all employees and plans to have completed
this process by October 2004. Before that time, USDA employees will receive
instructions from their agency on how to register for an official Employee eAuthentication
account. When you receive these instructions, please follow them exactly to register
with eAuthentication. Be careful to follow directions and do NOT create a public customer
account instead of an Employee Account. A public account can NOT be used for official
business on USDA websites.
2.18 Q. I am a federal employee from an agency other than the USDA,
why would I need to register for an account with Level 1 or 2 access?
A. Two possible reasons for you to obtain
an eAuthentication account would be: 1) you would like to conduct personal business transactions
with the USDA or 2) you need to access a Web site protected by eAuthentication that requires an
eAuthentication account with Level 2 access.
2.19 Q. Are there detailed instructions for
creating an account and password that meets NIST standards?
A. Yes. For step-by-step instructions of the eAuthentication account
registration process please view the
Registration Job-Aid.
3.1 Q. I have an account with Level 1 access. I’ve forgotten my password.
How do I obtain a password reset?
A. Please follow the steps below to reset your forgotten password:
1. Go to link : Home
2. Click on Update your account in the Quick Links box.
3. Click the Continue button on the warning page
4. Below the Password field, click on the Forgot your Password? link
5. Follow the steps to reset your forgotten password.
Please contact the ITS Service Desk at
eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov
or call 800-457-3642 for further assistance. Include your User ID, First name, Last name,
and email address.
3.2 Q. I have an account with Level 2 access. I’ve forgotten my password.
How do I obtain a password reset?
A. Please follow the steps below to reset your forgotten password:
1. Go to link : Home
2. Click on Update your account in the Quick Links box.
3. Click the Continue button on the warning page
4. Below the Password field, click on the Forgot your Password? link
5. Follow the steps to reset your forgotten password.
Please contact the ITS Service Desk at
eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov
or call 800-457-3642 for further assistance. Include your User ID, First name, Last name,
and email address.
3.3 Q. I cannot remember my User ID. How can I recover it?
A. Please follow the steps below to
recover your User ID:
1. Go to link : Home
2. Click on Update your account in the Quick Links box.
3. Click the Continue button on the warning page
4. Below the User ID field, click on the Forgot your User ID? link
5. Follow the steps to retrieve your forgotten User ID.
Please contact the ITS Service Desk at
eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov
or call 800-457-3642 for further assistance.
3.4 Q. What are the "Reset My Forgotten Password" feature and the new "Retrieve My Forgotten User ID" feature?
A. We have developed a new process to make it easier for you to reset your forgotten password and retrieve
your forgotten User ID. The new process to reset your password utilizes
questions that you may select, and which only you know the answers to. The new process for retrieving your
User ID will allow you to go online and follow the simple steps for getting your User ID without the
assistance of the Help Desk. An email will be sent to your email address on record.
The following are components of the new features:
New security questions that make it easier for you to retrieve your password.
Online functionality for you to retrieve your User ID.
Enhanced Security
Read the following documentation
and walk through the steps for resetting your password and retrieving your User ID:
Please contact the ITS Service Desk at
eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or call 800-457-3642 for
further assistance.
3.5 Q. How will the "Reset My Forgotten Password" feature and the new "Retrieve My Forgotten User ID" feature affect me?
A. The eAuthentication system will eventually prompt you to select your choice of security questions, and
to provide answers to them. This is a quick and easy process that increases security for all
USDA eAuthentication accounts, and only takes about ten minutes of your time.
3.6 Q. Why am I being prompted to answer new security
questions when logging into my eAuthentication account?
A. To ensure a higher level of security for your account
information, the eAuthentication team is redesigning
the "Reset My Forgotten Password" components of the
eAuthentication system. You will be prompted to do this only once. Thereafter, the system will
provide you with opportunities to update this information if you wish to do so.
Please choose and answer six (6) security questions from the list of questions provided. Continue through the steps to the
completion page.
3.7 Q. Why does the eAuthentication system
require such complicated passwords?
A. eAuthentication protects web sites that involve submitting personal and
private information as well as financial transactions via the Internet.
eAuthentication security standards are consistent with those established by the
National Institutes for Standards and Technology (NIST), which determines the
standards for the Federal Government.
3.8 Q. Why is the complexity of my password
important to Protecting Privacy at USDA?
A. The USDA eAuthentication Service enables USDA customers to
confidently share data and conduct official business transactions with
USDA electronically via the Internet.
4.1 Q. What kind of browser do you recommend using?
A. It is recommended that you use either Internet Explorer or Netscape. Internet Explorer should be 5.5 or higher; Netscape should be 7.01 or higher. Also, it is recommended that you use a browser that supports 128-bit encryption, accepts cookies, and is Javascript enabled.
For further information about your program and/or download instructions, please access the following sites:
4.2 Q. I use America On Line (AOL) and I am still having trouble. What should I do?
A. If you are using an AOL browser and/or email client, please follow the steps provided below:
Connect to the AOL Program.
Once connected, minimize your AOL browser window.
Open a new Internet Explorer or Netscape window.
Validate that you are running a compatible version of the software.
Click on the “Help” button from the menu bar.
Select the “About” feature for your program from the drop down menu.
Review the dialog box that will display the version of the software that you are currently running.
If you are running an out dated version of the software, install new a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape as applicable.
4.3 Q. I useWebTV and I am having trouble. What should I do?
A. If you are using WebTV, please note that this is not compatible with many USDA
sites. Thus, we do not provide support when it is used. Please use an alternate
program (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape.)
4.4 Q. Can I access USDA
applications using a wireless device and what kinds of devices are supported?
A. It is possible to access some USDA applications that are protected by the
eAuthentication system using wireless devices. This type of access is not formally
supported by the eAuthentication system using wireless devices. However, it is
possible to login to the system using wireless devices that have Internet browser
with JavaScript support. For example, some Black Berry devices using the Black Berry
web browser or Internet browser can login to the system when JavaScript support is
enabled for the browser.
4.5 Q. What kind of Black Berry
device browsers do you recommend using?
A. Black Berry and Internet browsers.
4.6 Q. I get a JavaScript error
message when trying to login to an application protected by eAuthentication using a
Black Berry wireless device. What can be done?
A. The eAuthentication system does not formally support wireless devices. A
JavaScript error may be displayed when you scroll to and click the “Login” button
on the eAuthentication page. You can use the following work around. Browse to the
eAuthentication login page and type in your user ID and password in the fields
provided. After you have typed in your password, do not scroll down to the Login
button. If you have typed in your password, do not scroll down to the Login button.
If you have moved to the Login button, scroll backward to place the browser cursor
focus to the password field. With the cursor still on the Password field, use the
keypad of the device and press the Enter key.
5.1 Q. Why am I being asked to update my contact information for other USDA projects?
A. The business email address and phone on file with your eAuthentication
account is used not only to keep you informed about eAuthentication matters,
but also will become a primary means of communicating with you for several
upcoming, large-scale initiatives, such as HSPD-12. Please take a moment
to ensure that your contact information is correct so you don't miss these
important announcements. If you would like more information regarding
the HSPD-12 please click on the link:
http://lincpass.usda.gov
