* How secure is my information?

    * What is encryption?

    * How is encryption used by this site?

    * How can I tell that SSL is in effect?

    * How secure is SSL?

    * Why do I need to use a particular browser?

    * What responsibility do I need to take as a customer?

    * What information does Link2consult.com collect from site visitors?

The Link2consult Security Promise The trust of our customers is Link2consult's most precious asset. Therefore, the security of your information is one of our highest priorities. The following questions and answers describe the systems that Link2consult has developed to provide our customers one of the highest levels of security in our industry.

How secure is my information?
Link2consult has made a significant investment in leading-edge security software, systems, and procedures to offer you a safe and secure environment and protect your information. While no security system is absolutely impenetrable, we are constantly reviewing, refining, and upgrading our security infrastructure as new tools or techniques become available.

We go to great lengths to protect your security from your very first transaction with Link2consult. For example, the Link2consult Secure System requires you to enter a valid username and password before permitting you to see any information. This site also encrypts all the information that the server and your browser exchange. If you are inactive for an extended period of time, the site will log you off and you will need to reenter your username and password.

Link2consult also utilizes state of the art firewall and intrusion detection technology to prevent unauthorized access to your information. The public Web servers are physically segregated from the servers that contain your information and cannot be accessed directly from the Web. Access is allowed only through well-defined scripts and is firewall-controlled. Internally, customer information is specially protected through industry standard security mechanisms.

What is encryption?
Encryption is used to protect messages from eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery over the Internet. It is a mathematical process that transforms a message in order to conceal its meaning.

How does the Link2consult Web site use encryption?
It is the policy of the Link2consult Secure System to encrypt the transmission of all personal or financial Web-based information that is transmitted between our site and your browser. The security standard SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is used to implement this. SSL is the leading standard for securing World Wide Web transmissions. It is also supported by the leading browsers, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer* 5.0 and above.

How can I tell that SSL is in effect?
The URL of a secure document begins with HTTPS://. The additional "S" on the end of the familiar HTTP indicates a secure channel to the server. Every secure page on Link2consult's Web site has been secured with a digital certificate by RSA Data Security, Inc. This is shown via the "site certificate" that sits on all secure pages. To view this certificate, click on the image of the closed lock or the solid key on the bottom bar of your browser window. A small frame displaying site security information will appear. If you use Internet Explorer, click on the word 'Subject' to verify the Web site. Click on 'Issuer' to verify the site certification authority. If you use Netscape, click on the "View Certificate" button to see information on the subject and issuer.

How secure is SSL?
SSL can use keys of various sizes. The larger the key length, the greater the number of possible combinations, the more difficult the decryption challenge, and the more secure the message. While this site will provide the maximum level of encryption supported by your browser, those wishing to maximize the security of their Web activities are encouraged to obtain a browser with 128-bit SSL encryption.

Why do I need to use a particular browser?
To maximize the privacy of your information and provide a consistent visual presentation, a relatively current and capable browser is required. The browser requirement for this site is Microsoft Internet Explorer* 5.0 and above. These browsers have been used to extensively test this si
If you are using broadband Internet access (cable or DSL), we recommend that you use a personal firewall since broadband Internet access is "always on" and puts your PC and any information it may contain at risk from hackers. You should also use a virus-screening program with up to date virus definitions to minimize the risk of malicious code or Trojan horses on your computer.
*Firefox is a registered trademark of Mozilla Corporation. All rights reserved.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. All rights reserved.

What responsibility do I need to take as a customer?
Although Link2consult does everything possible to ensure security, customers have their own set of responsibilities in providing security for their Link2consult brokerage members' area. Passwords must be kept secret. Make sure that no one is watching when you enter your passwords. It is also important to remember to log out of the Link2consult Secure System and even exit the browser when leaving the computer.

Link2consult has a seven-digit minimum password length. After 30 minutes of inactivity on Link2consult secure pages, you will be logged out. To restart your session, you will need to login again. If you forget your password, you will have to send a request to Link2consult to have a new password issued to you.

If you are using broadband Internet access (cable or DSL), we recommend that you use a personal firewall since broadband Internet access is "always on" and puts your PC and any information it may contain at risk from hackers. You should also use a virus-screening program with up to date virus definitions to minimize the risk of malicious code or Trojan horses on your computer.