On-line shopping and working from home are now common activities thanks in large part to the Internet and the world wide web. These activities require that you send sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or confidential company information, over the Internet. While you are transmitting this important data, it’s crucial that your web browser is properly encrypted. Encryption ensures on-line transactions and data exchanges remain as secure as possible.
Encryption works by altering the original data so that it can only be recovered through a corresponding decryption process. One normally measures the strength of encryption in terms of key length - the number of bits in the key used to encrypt or decrypt a message. Modern web browsers use the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol for secure transactions like on-line purchases. SSL works by using a public key for encryption and a different private key for decryption.
Early implementations of SSL used a 40-bit SSL encryption standard. Unfortunately, 40-bit encryption proved too easy to decipher. In comparison, 128-bit encryption offers long complex combinations. 128-bit encryption is the strongest form of web browser encryption available for use on the Internet. Based on the past history of improvements in computer performance, security experts expect that 128-bit encryption will work well on the Internet for at least the next ten years.
Checking the encryption strength of your browser is easy. On Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, just click on “Help” from the menu at the top of the screen. Then choose “About Internet Explorer.” A box will open that lists your browser’s “Cipher Strength.” If it has “128 bit,” then your browser has the proper encryption status. For Netscape, the process is similar, but the following text should appear: “This version supports high-grade (128-bit) security with RSA Public Key Cryptography.”
If your browser has a lower number, you should install its latest version. The software you’ll need can be found on HunTel.net’s download page. (http://www.huntel.net/home/support/downloads)
If you have any other questions relating to your Internet service from HunTel.net, please contact our tech support team at 533-5777 (Washington County and Omaha) or 1-888-491-9115 (toll-free statewide). You can also send us an e-mail at techsupport@huntel.net.
 

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