\[ac^{4} - c^{4} - ac^{2} + c^{2} =\]
\[= c^{4}(a - 1) - c^{2}(a - 1) =\]
\[= (a - 1)\left( c^{4} - c^{2} \right) = (a - 1)\left( c^{2} - 1 \right)c^{2} =\]
\[= c^{2}(a - 1)(c - 1)(c + 1).\]