Your Internet browser program most likely needs to increase the security encryption level it uses.  Pro Fed OnLine requires 128-bit encryption.  Newer computers may already have this encryption standard.

To determine if your browser supports 128-bit encryption, click on "Help" in the toolbar of your Internet browser and click on "About [browser name]".  A pop-up box or window will display.  For Internet Explorer® - Next to "Cipher strength" you should see "128-bit".  For Netscape® ­ the following text should appear:  “This version supports high-grade (128-bit) security with RSA Public Key Cryptography.”

What do I need to do to upgrade?

Internet Explorer®
In Internet Explorer®, click on Help and select About Internet Explorer®. The window that pops up should say "Cipher strength: 128-bit".  If it does not, clicking on "Update Information" will take you to the link below, which contains instructions for upgrading Internet Explorer:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.asp

If you are running Windows 2000®, you can access this link:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/recommended/encryption/download.asp

The upgrade is simple and fairly quick.  You will be required to restart your computer.

Netscape® (versions earlier than 6)
Verify your cipher strength, as some versions of 4.7 do not support 128-bit encryption.  If the version you are using does not support it, download an updated version by clicking on the following link and following the instructions:

http://home.netscape.com/download/

You can also reference this link to archived Netscape product releases: http://wp.netscape.com/download/archive.html

Netscape® (version 6 and higher)
Download the SmartUpdate Plugin by clicking on the following link and following the instructions:

http://cgi.netscape.com/cgi-bin/su/intro.cgi

Can I upgrade the encryption level of my browser without updating the browser version?

That depends on the browser and version you are currently using.

Netscape® browser versions earlier than 6 do not have a 128-bit encryption-only upgrade. You must perform a full upgrade to a version of Netscape® that supports 128-bit encryption and then specifically request the higher level of encryption. 

• While Digital Insight®, the Pro Fed OnLine provider, is not certified with Netscape® 6 and 7, these browser versions may work and allow you to download the SmartUpdate Plugin®, which will update the browser to 128-bit encryption without upgrading to a new browser version. 
• If you are using Internet Explorer® 3 or earlier, you must perform a full upgrade to Internet Explorer® 5 with 128-bit encryption.
• If you are using Internet Explorer® 4 or later, you may perform a partial 128-bit encryption only upgrade by following the instructions below.
• America OnLine (AOL)® uses the Internet Explorer® browser and is subject to the same conditions as Internet Explorer®.