Internet Security

The privacy of communications between you (your browser) and our servers is ensured via encryption. Encryption scrambles messages exchanged between your browser and our online banking server.

How Encryption Works

When visiting internet banking's sign-on page, your browser establishes a secure session with our server. The secure session is established using a protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption. This protocol requires the exchange of what are called public and private keys.Keys are random numbers chosen for that session and are only known between your browser and our server. Once keys are exchanged, your browser will use the numbers to scramble (encrypt) the messages sent between your browser and our server. Both sides require the keys because they need to descramble (decrypt) messages received. The SSL protocol assures privacy, but also ensures no other website can "impersonate" your financial institution's website, nor alter information sent. To learn whether your browser is in secure mode, look for the secured lock symbol at the bottom of your browser window.

Encryption Level

The numbers used as encryption keys are similar to combination locks. The strength of encryption is based on the number of possible combinations a lock can have. The more possible combinations, the less likely someone could guess the combination to decrypt the message.

For your protection, our servers require the browser to connect at 128-bit encryption (versus the less-secure 40-bit encryption). Users will be unable to access online banking functions at lesser encryption levels. This may require some end users to upgrade their browser to the stronger encryption level.

To determine if your browser supports 128-bit encryption:

Click "Help" in the toolbar of your Internet browserClick on "About [browser name]"A pop-up box or window will appear.For Internet Explorer: next to "Cipher strength" you should see "128-bit"For Netscape: you should see "This version supports high-grade (128-bit) security with RSA Public Key Cryptography"

If your browser does not support 128-bit encryption, you must upgrade to continue to access the website's secure pages.

Other Recommendations

We strongly recommend that any person who wishes to access the bank's internet banking have installed on their computer a firewall program and a strong anti-virus program.  If properly installed and maintained, these programs will help protect your personal information by detecting and stopping malicious software from the Internet.