Your online security is very important to us. We take several precautions to ensure your information is secure.

To access our secure area, you must enter your Logon ID and Security Code. As a security precaution, we store your Security Code in our database in an encrypted format that even we cannot decode.

In addition, Enhanced Authentication provides extra protection for your online data and helps guard against phishing scams and identity theft by recognizing your computer and usage patterns. If a questionable logon attempt is detected, the system will require additional identity verification before allowing access.

The system also displays a secret image and phrase combination that you choose. This secret image and phrase is displayed each time you log on to reassure you that you are logging on to your actual Internet banking or bill payment site. If you do not see your image and phrase, you should not enter your Security Code.

Other online security measures include:

• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to ensure that your connection and any information transmitted is protected.
• 128-bit encryption to make your information unreadable as it passes over the Internet.
• Automatic time out that occurs if you are inactive in the secure area of our site for more than 10 minutes.

If your browser doesn't support SSL or 128-bit encryption, you will need to upgrade your browser.

While we continue to evaluate and implement the latest improvements in Internet security technology, users of the system also have responsibility for the security of their information and should always follow the recommendations listed below:

• Utilize current versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Netscape browsers.
• Keep your Security Code confidential.
• Be sure others are not watching you enter information on the keyboard when using the system.
• Never leave your computer unattended while logged on to the system. Others may approach your computer and gain access to your account information if you walk away.
• Exit the system when you are finished to properly end your session. Once a session has ended, no further transactions can be processed until you log on to the system again.
• Close your browser when you are finished, so that others cannot view any account information displayed on your computer.
• Keep your computer free of viruses. Use virus protection software to routinely check for a virus on your computer. Never allow a virus to remain on your computer while accessing the system.
• Utilize a dedicated (hardened) computer specifically/only for conducting online financial transactions.
• Protect your computer with a firewall.
• Utilize a bootable read-only operating system. Configure the operating system with only the services and applications needed to perform financial transactions.
• Use strong passwords that are at least 8 characters long and utilize a combination of numbers, letters and special characters.
• Keep your anti-virus signature files up to date.
• Check the date and time your account was last accessed after logging in to your account.
• Computers accessible to the public may be infected with viruses and/or malicious software, such as keyloggers.
• Always logout of online banking sessions by clicking the logout button.
• Keep all software up to date with the latest version.