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Article Number

KA-04434

Article Total View Count

19332776

Last Modified Date

07/27/2025 00:38 AM

Version

4.0

This article explains how to activate and configure your Authorize.Net account, including essential after-setup actions. Following these steps ensures your payment processing environment is secure, accurate, and ready for daily operations.

Prerequisites

Access to the email address used during account registration.
Business and banking information (if required during activation).
Account Owner or administrator permissions for configuration changes.

Quick Start Checklist

Activated account and created Account Owner login
Configured users and permissions
Set time zone and batch cut-off time
Generated and stored API credentials
Tested payment solution in Test Mode/Processing Mode Off
Configured security settings (AVS, CCV, Velocity, AFDS)
Enabled live processing when ready

Tips:

Always store your credentials securely.
Regularly review user access and security settings.

Account Activation

If Your Account Was Set Up by a Partner (Reseller or ISO):
1. Open the welcome email sent to your registered email address.
2. Select the activation link in the email.
3. Request a verification PIN. Enter the PIN and select Verify. (PIN is valid for 10 minutes; regenerate if needed.)
4. Complete all required business information fields. Website URL is optional.
5. Provide billing and bank details for monthly fees.
6. Review and accept the Authorize.Net Services Agreement.
7. Create your Account Owner login by setting your Login ID and Password. Store credentials securely.
If Your Account Was Created via an Online Application:
1. Complete the online application and create your Account Owner login during sign-up.
2. Verify your email or phone number if prompted.
3. After sign-up, access the Merchant Interface at https://login.authorize.net using your credentials.

Configure Common Settings

General Settings

User Administration/Management
- Adding additional users
  - Classic Experience (1.0): Account > User Administration
    - For more details, see: How to add and manage users in the Merchant Interface? - Classic Experience (1.0)
  - New Experience (2.0): Account > Manage Users
    - For more details, see: How to add and manage users in the Merchant Interface? - New Experience (2.0)
Time Zone & Cut-Off Time:
- Set your local time zone and daily batch cut-off time.
  - Time Zone:
    - Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Settings >Time Zone
      - For more details, see: How do I adjust the time zone for the Merchant Interface and used for transaction timestamps? - Classic Experience (1.0)
    - New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > General Settings
      - For more details, see: How do I adjust the time zone for the Merchant Interface and used for transaction timestamps? - New Experience (2.0)
  - Transaction Cut-Off Time:
    - Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Settings > Batch Cut Off Time
      - For more details, see: When do transactions batch for settlement, can this timing be changed, and how to find unsettled and settled transactions? - Classic (1.0) and New Experience (2.0)
    - New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Transaction Settings
      - For more details, see: How can I view and change the transaction cut-off time in the Merchant Interface used for settlement? - New Experience (2.0)
Customer Email Receipt Enablement and Configuration
- Turn Customer Email Receipts On or Off: Choose whether customers receive an automatic email receipt after each transaction.
- Set the Sender/Reply-To Email Address: Receipts are sent from, and replies go to, the email address of a selected user on your account.
- Add a Custom Header and Footer: Personalize your receipts with a custom message at the top and bottom
- Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Settings
  - For more details, see: How to enable or disable and configure customer email receipts? - Classic Experience (1.0)
- New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Transaction Settings
  - For more details, see: How to enable or disable and configure customer email receipts? - New Experience (2.0)
Processing Mode (Formerly Test Mode)
- Accounts start with Processing Mode off, allowing you to submit test transactions without processing real charges.
- After validating your payment solution, turn on Transaction Processing Mode to process live transactions.
- Disable Transaction Processing Mode to temporarily stop payment processing if you notice suspicious activity.
- How to toggle Processing Mode:
  - Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Test Mode under General Security Settings
    - For more details, see:
  - New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Security Settings
    - For more details, see:

Transaction Processing Credentials

Generate your API Login ID, Transaction Key, and optional Signature Key from the Merchant Interface.
Store these credentials securely. Never email your credentials.
Provide these credentials to your payment solution (e.g., shopping cart, software).
Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Test Mode under General Security Settings
- For more details, see: What Is test mode and how do I turn It off and on? - Classic Experience (1.0)
New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Security Settings
- For more details, see: What is transaction processing mode and how to enable or disable (formerly called test mode) - New Experience (2.0)

Product Configuration

Accept Payment (Virtual Terminal)

Review and update settings for information and fields if you will be using Accept Payment to process transactions.
- Enabling/Disabling Fields of information.
- Changing field requirements.
Classic Experience (1.0): Account > Test Mode under General Security Settings
- For more details, see: What is the Virtual Terminal and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Transaction Settings
- For more details, see: What is Accept Payment and how to use and configure it - New Experience (2.0)

Invoicing

Review and update invoice settings for business information when invoicing customers for payment.
- Example:
  - Business Name
  - Logo
  - Message
Classic Experience (1.0): Tools > Invoicing
- For more details, see: What is Invoicing and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
New Experience (2.0): Payments > Invoicing
- For more details, see:
  - What is and how to sign up for Invoicing? - New Experience (2.0)
  - How to use Invoicing? - New Experience (2.0)

Simple Checkout

Review and create buttons, links or QR code links for providing payment links to customers with a hosted payment form:
- Create Buy Now and Donate buttons for your website.
- Create links for purchasing products and services or for donations.
- Generate QR codes for purchasing products and services or for donations.
Classic Experience (1.0): Tools > Simple Checkout
- For more details, see: What is Simple Checkout and how to use it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
New Experience (2.0): Payments > Simple Checkout
- For more details, see:
  - What is and how to sign up for Simple Checkout? - New Experience (2.0)
  - How to use Simple Checkout? - New Experience (2.0)

Security Settings

Address Verification Service (AVS) & Card Code Verification (CCV):
- Review and update AVS to match billing addresses with issuing bank records.
  - Classic Experience (1.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Address Verification Service (AVS) and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Address Verification Service (AVS) and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
  - New Experience (2.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Account and API Settings > Security Settings > Fraud Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Address Verification Service (AVS) and how to use and configure it? - New Experience (2.0)
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) and how to enable and use it? - New Experience (2.0)
- Review and update CCV to verify the card security code.
  - Classic Experience (1.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Settings
      - For more information, see:
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Card Code Verification (CVV) and how to use and configure it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
  - New Experience (2.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Account and API Settings > Security Settings > Fraud Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Card Code Verification (CVV) and how to use and configure it? - New Experience (2.0)
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) and how to enable and use it? - New Experience (2.0)
Daily Velocity Filter:
- Review and update daily transaction limits and volume to prevent fraud.
  - Classic Experience (1.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Settings
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
  - New Experience (2.0):
    - Non-AFDS: Account > Account and API Settings > Security Settings > Fraud Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Daily Velocity Filter and how to use and configure it? - New Experience (2.0)
    - AFDS Enabled: Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
      - For more information, see: What is Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) and how to enable and use it? - New Experience (2.0)
Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS):
- Customize filters to block suspicious or high-risk transactions based on your business needs and processing.
  - Classic Experience (1.0): Tools > Fraud Detection Suite
    - For more information, see: What Is the Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) and how to use it? - Classic Experience (1.0)
  - New Experience (2.0): Account > Account and API Settings > Advanced Fraud Detection Suite Settings
    - For more information, see: What is Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) and how to enable and use it? - New Experience (2.0)

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