HERITAGE PLAZA MORTGAGE
What is encryption?
Encryption is the process where intelligible information is turned into unintelligible
but meaningful data. One simple form of encryption that we are all familiar with is
slang, where groups of people will communicate in a "code" that they understand,
but no one else does. Just talk to any teenager to see an example. For a more formal
example that better applies to computer encryption, lets use the often dangerous phrase
- "My credit card number is...". If this information was being
transmitted between computers with encryption, during transmission it might look like
"Helicopter Jazz Under", a meaningless phrase to anyone other
than the two computers involved.
How does encryption work?
Everything that travels through cyberspace during your online banking session, from your
password to your instructions to pay a bill, becomes a string of unrecognizable numbers
before entering the Internet. Both our computers and the browser you use
to surf the Web understand the mathematical formulas, called algorithms,
that turn your banking session into numeric code, and back again to meaningful information.
These algorithms serve as locks on the doors of your loan/financial
information. And while our software and your computer can easily translate this code
back to meaningful language, this process would be a daunting, almost impossible task for
unauthorized intruders. That's because there are billions of possible keys
that could potentially solve each formula -- but only one that will work. Each time you
begin an secure session, your computer and our software's systems agree on a random
number that serves as the key for the rest of the conversation. What that random number
could be depends largely on the strength of encryption your browser utilizes.
What's the difference between domestic-grade encryption
and international-grade encryption? The difference between these two types
of encryption is one of capability. Domestic-grade encryption is exponentially more
powerful than international-grade encryption. Think of it this way:
40-bit encryption, also called international-grade encryption, means there are
240 possible
keys that could fit into the lock
that holds your account information. That means there are many billions (a 1 followed by
12 zeroes) of possible keys.
128-bit encryption, also called domestic-grade encryption, means there are 2
88 (a three followed by 26 zeroes)
times as many key combinations than there are for 40-bit encryption. That
means a computer would require exponentially more processing power than for 40-bit
encryption to find the correct key.
How do I know if my online session is encrypted?
Your online loan application data is encrypted when the
appears in the lower left
corner of your screen in Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
If you're using a version of Netscape Navigator with domestic-grade encryption
running, a will appear in
the lower left corner of your screen.
When not in a secure session, Netscape's
appears broken and
Microsoft's is not shown.
What type of encryption do I need?
Our software uses 128-bit encryption for it's online secure
services. If you are using Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher, or Micrsoft Internet
Explorer 3.01 or higher, you already are using the most secure encryption technology
allowed by law in the United States, and can take full advantage of our secure online
services.
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For additional information call (209) 235-LOAN!
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