Google Authenticator Quick Start Guide
Starting July 15, 2015, all ACF web users will need to enable Two Factor Authentication (TFA)
on their ACF accounts. Two Factor Authentication (TFA) is a tool to help prevent unauthorized
users from accessing your ACF account.
How it works
In a two-factor authentication system the first form of user identification is your current login
credentials - your username and password. The second form of identification is created by a
special algorithm in the ACF system and sent to a device you have authorized to receive that
code. ACF is using a smartphone application, Google Authenticator, as the primary tool for
receiving codes. As a backup method, we also have an SMS text message system. Because
any user attempting to login must possess both your username and password AND your phone,
it is much more difficult for a user account to become compromised.
Google Authenticator app generates a six-digit code for you to enter when you log in. The code
changes about every minute. Once you have set up the connection with ACF’s site, every time
that you log out of your ACF account you will need to use Google Authenticator to regain access
when you login again. The default account timeout settings have not changed with TFA. You
may not need to login to your ACF account when you are away from your desk for an extended
period of time.
Steps to set up Google Authenticator
Follow the steps below to link Google Authenticator to your ACF account, and use it as your
secondary method of identification.
1. Login to your ACF account using your username and password as you normally would.
2. On the next screen, a prompt will inform you that you need to set up TFA on your
account.
a. Reenter your password to continue.
Browser screen showing the password reentry
for TFA setup