Security Features for Online Financial Services

• Authentication, which requires the use of a personal identification number (PIN) and a customer ID number when a user sends payment instructions or other information to a financial institution or processor.
• Privacy, to ensure that only the intended recipient can read a message.
• Integrity, to ensure the message received has not been altered after it left the sender.

Financial institutions also safeguard the internal security of customer information by maintaining the physical security of and access to computers, private keys, and customer IDs and PINs.

Security protocols

Security protocols include 56-bit single Data Encryption Standard (DES) at a minimum, which is a standard for many types of banking transactions. However, financial institutions and processors have the option of using much stronger encryption, such as 128-bit RC4 or 168-bit triple DES. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, digital signatures and digital certificates are additional security precautions.

Take advantage of QuickenÆs built-in security

Quicken includes the following built-in security features:

• A data file password.
• The ability to review and delete instructions before connecting and sending them over the Internet.

Take standard precautions

You can also take standard precautions to further protect your information, including:

• Memorizing passwords and PINs.
• Changing passwords and/or PINs on a regular basis.
• Not giving your password or PIN to others.
• Not allowing others to access your financial data files.
• Carefully reading prompts before sending transactions over the Internet.

Carefully choose your ISP

The security measures described above are independent of the Internet service provider (ISP). Use of an ISP with strong security practices is highly recommended.