Security Information

Security of your credit card and personal information is of utmost importance to us. We offer you three different methods to place your order -- online via an encrypted/SSL session, via fax, or via mail. We have taken every step possible to make your online transaction secure. We require encryption of online orders for your security. This link takes you to a page provided by Netscape regarding security information: Netscape Security Information.

The important issues from this message are: encryption/SSL is vital to safeguarding your private information, there are varying degrees of encryption security, and if you have the 128-bit version of encryption, you are extremely safe.

As we said earlier, for your protection, My Sunglasses requires encryption to place an order online. If your browser software does not support encryption, we will not accept your online order request. You will either need to change browsers, order via fax, or order via mail.

You should be aware of the two basic versions of encryption: 40 bit and 128 bit encryption. Most browsers have 40 bit encryption. From the above Netscape article, it would take one high-powered machine approximately one year (or two machines 6 months, etc.) to break ONE encrypted message, and thus gain access to whatever is encrypted in that message. These machines cost approximately $8,000-$10,000 each, so the threat, while possible, is not likely to occur as there are much easier and economical ways to gain access to your credit card.

There is a HUGE difference between 40 bit encryption and 128 bit encryption. Some experts have estimated it would take 10¹⁹ years (longer than the estimated life of our universe) to break a 128-bit encrypted message. This, for practical purposes, should be considered safe!

1. There are several ways to determine the version of encryption your browser software has built into it. For Netscape users, start Netscape and then hold down the "alt" key and press the letter "H" on your keyboard. Then click on the "About Netscape" item on the menu that appears.

If your screen says: "This version supports International security with RSA Public Key Cryptography, MD2, MD5, RC2-CBC, RC4." Then you have the 40-bit key.

If it says: "This version supports U.S. security with RSA Public Key Cryptography, MD2, MD5, RC2-CBC, RC4, DES-CBC, DES-EDE3-CBC." Then you have the 128-bit key.

2. Alternatively, when you are on a secure site (as evidenced by the address beginning with https://www......), you can go to "view" on the Netscape menu bar and click on "Document Info." This will tell you either a 128 bit key with 40 secret (this is 40 bit encryption) or 128 bit key.

3. Another method is to look for the key in the lower left hand corner of your Netscape window. When you are on a secure site (as evidenced by the address beginning with https://www......), the key will become solid and turn blue (it is broken and green right now). If the key only has one "tooth" WHEN it turns blue (it is always one tooth when not secure - regardless of which version 40 bit or 128 bit), that means you have 40-bit encryption. If you see two teeth WHEN it turns blue, you have 128-bit encryption. See the diagram below for examples.


40-bit one tooth key	128-bit two teeth key

You must be a US resident Buy it at the store Visit Netscape at this special 128-bit site Switch to a Internet Service Provider such as AT&T WorldNet which provides the 128-bit version of their software.