About Security
We use several layers of technology to ensure the confidentiality of your on-line banking transactions.
Browser EncryptionUser Name and Password
Network Security and Monitoring
Security Definitions
Browser Encryption
We require the use of a secure browser to access account information and perform transactions. Mozilla® Firefox, Netscape Navigator®, Netscape Communicator, and Microsoft®; Internet Explorer are all secure browsers. If you are not using one of these browsers, or feel your browser does not meet our security requirements, use one of the following links to download an upgraded browser. Remember that once you've downloaded the proper browser, you must install it on your computer. Follow the browser manufacturer's instructions that appear on your screen.
Secure browsers employ Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to communicate with servers. This technology encrypts or scrambles your account information so it's virtually impossible for anyone other than The Bank to read it.
What is SSL?
SSL is a protocol designed by Netscape Communications Corporation to provide secure communications on the Internet. SSL does three things:
- SSL authenticates that the server you've connected to is the one it claims to be. You can be assured that you are actually communicating with the bank, and not a third party trying to intercept the transaction.
- SSL creates a secure communication channel by encrypting all communication between the user and the server.
- SSL conducts a cryptographic word count to ensure data integrity between the server and the user. The word count or checksum provides a count of the number of bytes in a document and ensures the exact number of bytes is transmitted and received. With SSL, even this checksum is encrypted so it cannot be modified. If a message is not received in its entirety, it is rejected and another copy of the message is sent automatically.
How can I tell when my connection is secure?
To confirm that your information is encrypted perform the following steps:
Place your cursor in the frame you want to check.
With a Netscape browser, right-click, select 'View Frame Info' or select 'View' then 'Page Frame Info' from the browser menu bar. For Macintosh users, Ctrl-click, select 'New Window with this Frame' OR select 'View' then 'Page Info' from the browser menu bar.
With an Internet Explorer browser, right-click, select 'Properties.' For Macintosh users, Ctrl-click, select 'Open Page in New Window.'
Check the web address that you have accessed. If you are in a secure area, the address will appear as https://www. Notice the "s" in the address. This means that you have accessed a secure server.
Why doesn't my browser appear secured?
Rest assured, your account information, user name, password, application and other sensitive information are being encrypted. (An encrypted item is scrambled so that no one between your computer and our computers can read the message or the information you entered. The reason the icon provided on your browser might not appear secured (symbolizing an encrypted session) is because our web site uses multiple frames to display information on your computer. The navigation bar across the top of your screen is one frame. The selections that appear on the left are another frame. The main portion of the site appears in the remaining frame. Frames that display general information about the site, such as the navigation bar across the top of your screen are not encrypted. However, any screen that displays or requests information about your account, user name, password, application and other sensitive information are encrypted.
User Name and Password
To access account information, you must provide a User Name and a password to enter the secure area of the site. Your password is not displayed when entered. If you do not provide this information, we cannot establish an online banking service for you.
How I can protect myself?
Don't share your password
Never reveal your password to anyone. Never write it down where anyone can find it or figure out what it is. Change your password often (it is recommended ever 30 to 90 days), and be sure that you do not use common words that can be found in a dictionary, or numbers in a series. Try using birthdays combined with pet names, or sports teams combined with a birthday for example. Never access the banking site from a computer that a non-trustworthy individual may have access to.
Treat your user name and password with more care than you use for your ATM or credit card PIN. With the PIN, you need to present the card. Here you only have the password. In addition, you should make sure that no one is physically watching as you enter your password. Also take standard precautions to keep your computer free from viruses because there are some that could be used to capture your keystrokes.
Use the Log Out
Please use our "Log Out" feature if you are going to be away from your computer for an extended period of time. The logout will end your session and you will be forced to submit your User Name and password before entering the web site again. Shutting down your browser is also a good way of preventing others from using your access. After a period of inactivity your current session on the web site will automatically timeout, currently this setting is 7 minutes. To restart your session, all you have to do is re-enter your User Name and password at the login screen.
Network Security and Monitoring
Firewalls are used to shield our systems and proprietary network from any unauthorized Internet traffic. The purpose of a firewall is to ensure only authorized traffic is allowed to pass to our systems and networks; all other traffic from the Internet is rejected. Firewalls also create logs of network traffic that allow for centralized auditing and security monitoring. Once your information has been entered, we use a secured network to transport data between all our systems and our partners systems to make online banking secure and to protect your personal information. Ensuring the security of your financial transactions is an ongoing process at our bank. As such, we employ security monitoring of our systems and network. We also conduct regular third-party reviews of our security.
Inquiries and responses sent through our Internet Bank site use Secure Socket Layer (SSL). General e-mail is not secure; we will not include confidential account information in this environment. You may also contact us by phone or U.S. mail.
Security Definitions
Encryption: A method of scrambling information while it moves from one source to another to prevent others from reading it.
Online Security: We make certain security recommendations to help protect your account.
Online Purchasing: Buying goods or services by credit card over the Internet.
Secure Browser: An Internet browser that has SSL encryption version 3.0 or higher to conduct secure financial transactions over the Internet. To download the most secure version, visit (http://home.netscape.com/download/index.cfm) for Netscape or (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm) for Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL): A form of encryption that protects information being transmitted over the Internet to prevent tampering while it's in transit.
Secure Transaction: A transaction that is protected from outside tampering.
Firewall: Firewalls are used to shield our network from the Internet.
Cookies: A "cookie" is a small text file placed on your hard drive by our Web Page server. Cookies are commonly used on Web sites and do not harm your system.
