How Secure is my Information?
We take special care in maintaining the privacy and security of your information.
This site encrypts all the information that the server and your browser exchange.
Why are cookies important?
This site uses a common technique, HTTP-header cookies, to identify one page
request from another. The cookies this site creates do not contain any personal
information. They merely allow the site to recognize a page request comes from
someone who has already logged on. The information is stored temporarily in
memory and is available only during the course of a session. The information
is removed once you log out or close down your browser. Some browsers can be
configured to warn the user whenever a site sends it a cookie. If your browser
provides an edit message asking you to accept or reject the use of cookies,
you should accept. The site will not work without them.
What is encryption?
Encryption is a mathematical process that transforms a message in order to conceal
its meaning. Encryptionis used to protect messages from eavesdropping, tampering,
or message forgery over the Internet.
How is encryption used by this site?
It is our policy to encrypt the transmission of all personal or financial information
that is transmitted between our server and your browser. The security standard
SSL, Secure Sockets Layer, is used to implement this. SSL is the leading standard
for securing World Wide Web transmissions. It is also supported by the leading
browsers scape Navigator* 1.1 and above and Microsoft Internet Explorer* 2.0
and above.
How can I tell that SSL is in effect?
The URL of a secure document begins with HTTPS://. The additional "S" on the
end of the familiar HTTP indicates a secure channel to the server. In Netscape
Navigator* 4.x and Microsoft Internet Explorer* 4.x, the security icon is a
padlock. The hasp of the padlock will be closed once a secure channel is established.
How secure is SSL?
SSL uses public-key encryption. This technology can use keys of various sizes.
The larger the key length, the greater the number of possible keys, the more
difficult the decryption challenge, and the more secure the message. Browsers
generally have one of two key sizes--40-bit or 128-bit. Messages encrypted with
a 40-bit key could possibly be decoded in less time than those encrypted with
a 128-bit key. Messages encrypted with a 128-bit key are 3 x 1026 (3 followed
by 26 zeros) times harder to break. It is estimated that it would take 1 trillion
trillion years to crack a 128-bit message with current technologies. This site
will provide the maximum level of encryption supported by your browser. Those
wishing to maximize the security of their Web ctivities are encouraged to obtain
a browser with 128-bit encryption. These browsers are available for downloading
at home from either Netscape* or Microsoft* at no cost except telephone time.
However, by United States law, these browsers are available to U.S. and Canadian
citizens or permanent residents only.
Why do I need to use a particular browser?
In order to maximize the privacy of your information as well as to provide a
consistent visual presentation, a relatively current and capable browser is
required. For example, the browser must support JavaScript, Cookies, and Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption standard for browsers. For enhanced security,
we recommend using a browser version that uses 128-bit SSL encryption. Furthermore,
those browsers have been used to extensively test this site to ensure that the
pages display and behave in a predictable manner. The browser requirement for
this site is Netscape Navigator* 4.0 and above, or Microsoft Internet Explorer*
4.0 and above. Other browsers may work if they have the required browser features;
however, this site has not been tested or certified for other browsers. Note:
If you are an AOL user, you will also need to use one of the minimum required
browsers. You may need to download one of the approved browsers to use xxxxxx
System.
«*Netscape Navigator is a registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corp.
All rights reserved. *Microsoft Internet Explorer is a registered trademark
of Microsoft Corp. All rights reserved.•