Secure Internet File Transfer (SIFT) HTTPS User Guide How to send and receive files via HTTPS using SIFT
Document History Version Date Reason For Change 0.1 22/02/2012 Initial Version 0.2 06/06/2016 Updated to include new Web Access Plus user interface 1.2 14/06/2016 Final Version published 1.3 13/12/2017 Updated to reflect software upgrades Page 2
Contents Document History... 2 1. Introduction... 4 2. Requirements... 4 2.1. System Requirements... 4 2.2. Data File Requirements... 4 2.3. File Name Requirements... 4 3. Signing Into SIFT... 4 4. Using SIFT... 5 4.1. Home Page Overview... 5 4.2. Sending a File to Equifax... 6 4.3. Retrieving a File from Equifax... 6 4.4. Logging Off... 7 5. Accounts... 7 5.1. User ID Formats... 7 5.2. Password Rules... 7 6. Miscellaneous... 8 6.1. First Time Login... 8 6.2. Password Resets... 8 6.3. Locked Accounts... 9 6.4. Password Expiry... 9 7. Equifax Client Support... 9 Page 3
1. Introduction This document explains the process of uploading files to, and downloading files from Equifax via Secure Internet File Transfer (SIFT) via HTTPS. Included in the document are requirements for HTTPS transfer via SIFT, a simple how-to including easy to follow screenshots, information about the accounts users will use to connect to SIFT and contact details for the Equifax Client Support team in the event there are any problems. 2. Requirements 2.1. System Requirements The following are the supported browsers for HTTPS file transfer: Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 Microsoft Edge (latest version) Mozilla Firefox (latest version) Apple Safari (latest version) Google Chrome (latest version) 2.2. Data File Requirements Inbound data files must conform to the following requirements: NO executables Filenames must not contain spaces 2.3. File Name Requirements Inbound data files must adhere to a few standards regarding their names: NO spaces in filenames Accepted and agreed with Equifax 3. Signing Into SIFT Step 1 Open one of the web browsers in 2.1. Step 2 Target the address https://www.secureftp.equifax.co.uk Please be aware that this is a secure address so note the https. Page 4
Step 3 Step 4 Enter the user ID and password as supplied by Equifax. Click on the Sign In button. When logging into your account for the first time, users may be prompted to change your password. Please see section 6.1 for more information on first time logins. 4. Using SIFT The following is a step-by-step overview of how to send a file to Equifax (upload) and retrieve a file from Equifax (download). 4.1. Home Page Overview When users log into SIFT they ll most likely be presented with a send_to_equifax and a take_from_equifax folder (please note that certain client requirements may vary so there may or may not be these folders configured). Page 5
The send_to_equifax folder will be used to send (upload) files to Equifax and the take_from_equifax folder will be used to retrieve (download) files from Equifax. These two activities are covered in the next two sections. 4.2. Sending a File to Equifax Ste p 1 Ste p 2 From the home page, click on the send_to_equifax folder. Select the upload button and browse your machine. Select the file that will be uploaded to Equifax. Ste p 3 Click on open and users will be returned to the SIFT screen. This will start the file upload automatically. Upload progress can be monitored by expanding Uploading bar at the base of the page. Once the file upload has been successful, the file will appear in the folder along with two trigger files which get created by the application, one with an.ok suffix and one with a _processing suffix. Please do not delete these files. Note, that multiple files can be selected and uploaded at the same time and files can also be dragged into the window from a Windows Explorer screen. 4.3. Retrieving a File from Equifax Step 1 From the home page, click on the take_from_equifax folder. Page 6
Step 2 Select the file to be downloaded and either right click and select Download or use the Actions dropdown and select the download option. Note, that multiple files can be selected and downloaded at the same time. 4.4. Logging Off When finished, log out of SIFT using the option in the top right hand side of the screen. A confirmation that your session has ended cleanly will be displayed. 5. Accounts 5.1. User ID Formats Equifax will create a user ID and supply an initial temporary password. User IDs will match the following format: 8 digits in length First 4 digits will be a unique 4 letter customer ID Last 4 digits will be a unique 4 number customer ID Please note that only one user can use a SIFT logon at a time. If files may be uploaded/downloaded at the same time across multiple users/machines/sites, additional SIFT logons will be required for each user/machine/site. 5.2. Password Rules Passwords must adhere to the following rules: 9 characters in length Contain 4 characters Contain 4 numbers Contain 1 special character (@ $ # / \? * + < > :! ^ & - %) Page 7
6. Miscellaneous 6.1. First Time Login Upon first login to SIFT, users will be prompted to change the temporary password. There will be three fields one for the current password, one for the new password and another to confirm the new password. Once the password has been reset users will be able upload/download files. 6.2. Password Resets If the current password is known then there is an option to reset the password on the login screen by clicking on your user ID in the top right corner and selecting the Password option. You ll be presented with a reset screen similar to that shown above. Page 8
If the current password is not known, the Forgot Your Password? link can be used on the login screen. Note that this requires a valid email address to be associated with the SIFT account. If an email is received then follow the instructions within to be able to reset the password. If no email is received and you are the account owner, please contact operations.delivery@equifax.com who will be able to associate an email address to the account. If the password isn t known, please contact Equifax Client Support on the email address in section 7 who will be able to reset the password. 6.3. Locked Accounts If an account becomes locked out due to 3 failed login attempts, please contact Equifax Client Support on the email address in section 7 who will be able to unlock the account. 6.4. Password Expiry Passwords are set to expire after 90 days. You will be promoted to change your password the next time you login after this expiry period. 7. Equifax Client Support Equifax Client Support can be contacted on 0845 6033000. Please let the team know that you re using Secure Internet File Transfer/SIFT and have your user ID to hand. If a password reset or account unlock is required then please email hello@equifax.com to request this. Equifax Client Support Team are available Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00, excluding Bank Holidays. Page 9