November 21, 2008

Our Internet Banking solutions integrate industry-approved security technologies to address three major concerns about Internet security: (1) Secure log-in and user authenticity, (2) Encryption while data is in transit, (3) Secure routers and firewalls.

1: Secure Access and Verifying User Authenticity

To begin a session with the bank's server, the user must key in a log-in ID and a password. The Internet Banking System uses a "three strikes and you're out" lockout mechanism to deter users from repeated log-in attempts. After three unsuccessful log-in attempts, the system locks the user out, requiring either a designated wait period or a phone call to the bank to verify the password before re-entry into the system. Upon successful log-in, VeriSign's Digital ID is used to establish a secure session with that visitor.

The Digital ID from VeriSign, the expert in digital identification certificates, provides a standard of authentication to confirm the identity of the user while accessing the system. VeriSign describes Digital IDs as "electronic credentials that establish an individual's or entity's identity. A server secured with a Digital ID ensures visitors of the site's authenticity and allows the session with the client to be encrypted." It is essentially "third party evidence" that end users who are seeking and receiving data are indeed who the server understands them to be, and vice versa.

2: Secure Data Transfer

Once the server session is established, the user and the server are in a secured environment. Because the server has been certified as a 128-bit secure server by VeriSign, data traveling between the user and the server is encrypted with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. With SSL, data that travels between the bank and customer is encrypted and can only be decrypted with the public and private key pair. In short, the bank's server issues a public key to the end user's browser and creates a temporary private key. These two keys are the only combination possible for that session. When the session is complete, the keys expire and the whole process starts over when a new end user makes a server session. The encryption/decryption happens in the background and therefore requires no knowledge by the end user.

3: Routers and Firewalls

Requests must filter through a router and firewall before they are permitted to reach the server. A router works in conjunction with the firewall, a piece of software, to block and direct traffic coming to the server. The configuration begins by disallowing ALL traffic and then opens holes only when necessary to process acceptable data requests, such as retrieving web pages or sending customer requests to the bank.

DISCLAIMER

Product offers, rates, terms and other information provided herein are subject to change without notice. Due to occasional inaccessibility to our Web site, Pacific Western Bank cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided herein. Pacific Western Bank shall under no circumstances be liable to user and/or any third party for any indirect, consequential, incidental or punitive damages whatsoever, even if Pacific Western Bank has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

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