Intuit is making changes to QuickBooks to better protect your customers'
sensitive credit card data. On July 1, 2010, new password protection
requirements will go into effect for all QuickBooks 2010 users who accept
credit cards. These new requirements affect both users and administrators
of merchant service-enabled QuickBooks 2010 company files. To meet the
new requirements, both users and administrators will need to create a 'complex
password' for access to QuickBooks. A 'complex password' must contain at
least 7 characters and include at least one number and one uppercase
letter. The password also needs to be changed every 90 days.
In early June, a QuickBooks 2010 update will be available for download that
will enable you to meet these new password protection requirements. The
update lets you easily create a complex password so you can continue to open
your merchant-service enabled company files. If you'd like to learn more
about the new password protection requirements, just visit
http://support.quickbooks.intuit.com/support/Pages/KnowledgeBaseArticle/898899
Here are some potential FAQs that users may ask:
Q: I've heard there are new password protection requirements? What
are they?
A: Yes, on July 1, 2010, any merchant using QuickBooks 2010 to accept
credit card payments will have to meet new password protection
requirements. But, it's easy to meet the new requirements - you just need
to make sure that your current password meets the requirements for a 'complex
password.'
Q: What's a complex password?
A: It's simply a password that contains at least 7 characters with at
least one number and one uppercase letter. You need to change the new
'complex password' every 90 days. It's one more way to keep your
customers' credit card info safe and secure.
Q: Why is QuickBooks making me create this new password?
A: As you probably know, hackers and cyber-criminals are getting more
sophisticated all the time. And credit card numbers are what they most
like to get their hands on. In order to protect customer credit card
information, the payment industry has mandated use of complex passwords.
These new complex passwords are tougher to hack and they give you and your
customers more protection.
Q: What do I have to do to create a new complex password?
A: It's easy. Just follow these 4 steps:
1. Open QuickBooks
2. Choose Company -> Customer Credit
Card Protection
3. In the Customer Credit Card Protection
dialog choose Enable Protection
4. In the Customer Credit Card Protection
Setup dialog specify and confirm your new complex password and a challenge
question and then select OK.
That's all there is to it!
Q: What happens if I don't download the QuickBooks 2010 update?
A: If you use QuickBooks 2010 to process credit card payments, you'll
need to install the update in order to be in compliance with the new payment
industry standards. That's why it's important you download the new
QuickBooks 2010 update being released in early June.
