# Understanding Password Hierarchy

## Understanding Password Hierarchy

The terminal uses passwords for different user levels. The user levels follow a hierarchy, and a “higher” level password can enable a function (or override a password) for a “lower” level user.

For example, an operator can use the Merchant password to enable a password-protected sale, while an Administrator password can unlock functions that require a Merchant password.

The hierarchy of passwords is the following:

| **User Level**    | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Administrator** | Configured when you activated your terminal, the **Administrator** password can protect the terminal against unauthorized reimbursements in the Secure Payment application's payment module. You can use the **Administrator** password for any function that requires a **Merchant** or **Operator** password.       |
| **Merchant**      | Configured when you activated your terminal, the **Merchant** password protects the terminal from completing certain sales and reimbursement functions without authorization. You can use the **Merchant** password to complete a transaction when **Operator** identification requires a password to process a sale. |
| **Operator**      | Assigned when creating one or more terminal operators. Can be enabled to protect unauthorized sales when paired with the associated operator ID.                                                                                                                                                                      |


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