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FAQs

eAuthentication Registration and ID's
 

 

Questions relating to...

 

 

Account Creation

 

Passwords and User IDs

 

Web Browsers

 


Questions relating to Account Creation

 

  • Who can use eAuthentication?

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  • I signed up for a Level 1 eAuthentication account. What is my next required step?

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  • How long do I have to respond to the Confirmation email?

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  • It's after the seven (7) day period and I didn't respond in time. What now?

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  • If my account is deleted because I didn't respond within the seven (7) day limit, can I use the same User ID?


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  • The Customer Profile won't accept the User ID I have created. Why?

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  • I don't see a confirmation email, but I am within the seven (7) day window.

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  • 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?

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  • I can't get the link in the Confirmation email to work. What now?

  • I couldn't get either the link in the Confirmation email or the long string technique to work. What now?

  • I signed up for an account with Level 1 access and confirmed my email address. What now?


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    Questions relating to your password or User ID.

     

  • I have an account with Level 1 access. I've forgotten my password. How do I obtain a password reset?

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  • I cannot remember my User ID. How can I recover it?

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  • What are the "Reset My Forgotten Password" feature and the new "Retrieve My Forgotten User ID" feature?

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  • How will the "Reset My Forgotten Password" feature and the new "Retrieve My Forgotten User ID" feature affect me?

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  • Why am I being prompted to answer new security questions when logging into my eAuthentication account?

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  • Why does the eAuthentication system require such complicated passwords?

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  • Why is the complexity of my password important to Protecting Privacy?

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  • What are the criteria and rules governing passwords within the eAuthentication system?


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    Questions relating to Web Browsers

     

  • What kind of browser do you recommend using?

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  • I use America On Line (AOL) and I am still having trouble. What should I do?

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  • I use WebTV and I am having trouble. What should I do?

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  • Can I access applications using a wireless device and what kinds of devices are supported?

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  • What kind of Black Berry device browsers do you recommend using?

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  • 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?


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    Questions relating to Customer Account Creation

     


    Q. Who can use eAuthentication?

     


    A. Any public customer who would like to draw a proposed service area can establish an eAuthentication account on this Web site.

     



    Q. I signed up for a Level 1 eAuthentication account. What is my next required step?

     


    A. Look for an email and follow the directions in the Confirmation email you received at the email address provided in your profile.

     



    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.

     



    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.

     


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    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.

     



    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.

     



    Q. I don't see a confirmation email, 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 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.

     


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    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.

     



    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.

     



    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.

     



    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!

     
       

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    Questions relating to your password or User ID

     


    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 : eAuthentication home page
          2. Click on Update your account in the Quick Links box.
          3. Click the I Agree 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.

    For more information, please review the Reset My Forgotten Password User Guide - Level 1 Account User Guide.

    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.

     



    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 : eAuthentication home page
          2. Click on Update your account in the Quick Links box.
          3. Click the I Agree 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.

    For more information, please review the Retrieve My Forgotten User ID User Guide.

    Please contact the ITS Service Desk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov or call 800-457-3642 for further assistance.

     


    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.

     


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    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 eAuthentication accounts, and only takes about ten minutes of your time.

     



    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.

     



    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.

     


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    Q. Why is the complexity of my password important to Protecting Privacy?

     


    A. The eAuthentication Service enables customers to confidently share data and conduct official business transactions with electronically via the Internet.

     

     

    Q. What are the criteria and rules governing passwords within the eAuthentication system?

     


    A. Please create a password that you will remember. Your password is case sensitive.

    All passwords in eAuthentication (for Level 1 and Level 2 accounts) must adhere to the following criteria: Required Characters

    • 9 to 12 characters long
    • Have one uppercase letter (A, B, C, etc.)
    • Have one lowercase letter (a, b, c, etc.)
    • Atleast 1 of these characters:
           0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
           ! # $ % = + : ; , ? ~ * -

    Restricted Information (Do Not Use)

    • Dictionary Words
    • Profile Information
           Mother's Maiden Name, Date of Birth, PIN, Your Name, Address, Phone Number,
           Email, etc.
    • Your password will expire after 180 days.
     


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    Questions relating to Web Browsers

     


    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:

    For Internet Explorer - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.aspx
    For Netscape - http://browser.netscape.com/releases

     



    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.
     


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    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 sites. Thus, we do not provide support when it is used. Please use an alternate program (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape.)

     



    Q. Can I access applications using a wireless device and what kinds of devices are supported?

     


    A. It is possible to access some 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.

     



    Q. What kind of Black Berry device browsers do you recommend using?

     


    A. Black Berry and Internet browsers.

     



    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.

     
       


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    Last Modified: 02/17/2010

     
     

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