AutoQuotes Promotes Password Security

If you use AQ on a PC, please read this important article on password security and our upcoming password reset.

The security of your data is important to your business. To help you protect your information inside of AQ, AutoQuotes is implementing a password reset, effective Friday, Nov. 17. We understand that changing passwords can sometimes be a drag, and we want this process to be as convenient as possible while in alignment with best practices. Please note that AutoQuotes is not taking this action in response to a security breach. We have not experienced any type of breach to date.

This password reset affects all PC application users for AQ. For now, the password reset does not apply to mobile or Mac users. However, if mobile or Mac users do not change their passwords before Friday, Nov. 17, switching to a PC after that date will trigger the password reset.

Before you can reset your password, you must make sure that your “Login Email” is a current and valid email address. Many of our customers with multiple licenses set up “dummy” email addresses (ones with no active inboxes) for login purposes, such as salesman1@company.com, salesman2@company.com and so forth, as opposed to the valid emails of the people using the accounts. For the upcoming reset process (and for all future password resets), we are sending the reset information to the login email. If this email address is not valid within your email system, you will not receive the password reset email, which could require you to call Customer Support to change your password and regain access to your account. Therefore, your login email address:

• Must be a valid email address with an active inbox
• Can be an “alias” or forwarding email address, but must go to a valid email address with an active inbox

You can reset your password in the AQ application by clicking on the My Settings button at the bottom right of your screen and pressing Change Password within the General tab.

For minimum security requirements, our new password policy will be at least eight characters containing letters, numbers, mixed cases and special symbols. For more security that is aligned with best practices, we recommend using “passphrases” with a minimum 20 characters. An example of a passphrase is “camera Thumbtack 1752 SOUP.” These passphrases are much harder to hack than a single password, even if the single password contains multiple mixed cases and symbols.

If you have not changed your password by Friday, Nov. 17, your AQ account will lock until you reset your password under the new guidelines. At that time, a screen will appear for you to enter your email address, old password, create a new password, and confirm the new password. You will then be able to sign in with the new password.

After Friday, Nov. 17 and consistent with best practices, there will be no recovery of lost or forgotten passwords through our Customer Support department – the password must be reset. After entering your email address on the login screen, you can click the “forgot password?” button. You’ll receive an email with a link to a reset password page.

For password reset questions, you can reach our Customer Support department at (866) 452-8324 or support@aqnet.com. Support is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. After-hours emergency support is available Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.