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| Security F.A.Q. |
Q: What is Encryption
and How Does it Work?
A: Encryption turns meaningful words and phrases into coded language.
Everything that you do during your Internet shopping session becomes a string of
unrecognizable numbers before entering the Internet. Your account information
will read as gibberish to everyone but you and our financial institution. All of
your Internet shopping sessions will be encrypted. We employ the strongest forms
of cryptography that are commercially available for use over the Internet.
Q: What is 128-Bit Encryption ?
A: 128-bit encryption means there are 2128 possible keys that
could fit into a "lock" that holds your account information, but only
one that works for each Internet shopping session. (Try that on your
calculator!) This level of encryption is so powerful that the U.S. government
lists this encryption as a federal munitions, meaning browsers that offer it can
only be used and downloaded by citizens and permanent residents of the United
States and Canada.
Q: What Type of Security Do You Offer?
A: Our Internet shopping system uses many lines of defense to protect
your account information. From authentication, SSL, exclusive encryption
software, high-end firewalls, and automatic sign-off, you’re information is
always safe -- it’s like having a bank vault online.
Q: What Does SSL Mean?
A: SSL stands for "Secure Socket Layer." This technology allows
users to establish secure sessions with our Web site, meaning you have minimal
risk of external violation. Once inside our secure Internet shopping site, our
use of SSL technology keeps you and your account information secure.
Q: How Do I Know If My Session is Secure?
A: Once you click the Checkout button you are taken into a secure socket
layer, and there are several ways you can be sure that you are indeed
secure. First, the "http://" that precedes every Web address
(URL address) changes to "https://" and an "s" becomes
visible. The "s" means that you are connected to a secure
connection. Second, newer browsers will display a small picture of a lock
in the lower right-hand corner of your browser one you have entered into a
secure connection. With Microsoft Internet Explorer, a small yellow lock
will appear which shows that you are securely connected. With Netscape, a
small picture of an "unlocked" lock will automatically change to a
locked display when entering a secure connection (see below).
We hope this information has eased your apprehension in making online
purchases. Just know that some experts believe that shopping on the
Internet with secure servers is safer than handing your credit card to the restaurant
waiter.
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