Privacy & Security

VeriSign

We take the security and privacy of your personal information very seriously. It is for this reason that we have partnered with VeriSign to make our site secure. While there are other companies that provide Internet security, VeriSign is recognized as the top in the field.

Building Trust

VeriSign has provided us with a Secure Server ID that confirms we are who we say we are. A Server ID is the digital equivalent of a business license. It lets you know that the company you're dealing with is actually what it says it is. In other words, a third party (VeriSign) is vouching for the authenticity of our service on the Internet. As a Certification Authority (CA), VeriSign is responsible for more then 65,000 Secure Server Ids, and they have a rigorous authentication practice. They're standards are so high, they are the only Certification Authority to have passed an extensive SAS 70 audit (SAS 70 certifies trusted practices via the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). We want to build your trust, and our Secure Server ID is a big part of that trust.

Transmitting Personal Information Safely

Working with our technical staff, VeriSign is instrumental in providing us with the encryption codes that help prevent outside sources from accessing our site. As a point of reference, a standard ATM system used by banks utilizes a 24-bit encryption; we use 40-bit encryption. In addition, we also utilize version 3 Secure Socket Layer, which is the same technology used by banks. If you feel comfortable with the security involved in using your bankcard, you can feel safe at our site. VeriSign Secure Server ID technology also uses advanced public-key cryptography. Public-key cryptography does not use shared keys, which is important for security. For example, shared key cryptography would be similar to someone sending a coded message where the sender and the receiver both have to have the same code in order to read the message. The problem is either one may have shared the code with another party, or may have left the code lying around where an unknown party could have access to it. Thus, the security of the message cannot be vouched for. With public-key cryptography, the public code used to transmit the information is not the same as the code used to decipher the information. This is called a key-pair and, in the case of any information sent to us, the other key or "private" key is only located on our site to further safeguard your personal data. Since no one else has access to the "private" key, they can't intercept the data sent via the "public" key.

End to End Security

VeriSign has partnered with Cisco to provide the network hardware. This partnership eliminates the intrinsic risk involved in bringing in yet another vendor, who may or may not have as strict a standard as VeriSign. Cisco, as VeriSign's network partner, has already agreed to VerSign's requirements. For even further Web security, Cisco also provides network-level encryption, carrier-class authentication, and auditing, along with high-performance firewalls. The critical point here in how it relates to you is that, at every point where information is being transmitted, industry leaders, who stake their reputations on the level of security and privacy they provide, are handling it.

Compliance with Legal Requirements; Law Enforcement

In certain situations, Answer Financial may be required to disclose personal data. Any information collected by Answer Financial or provided by you may be shared: To investigate, prevent or prosecute illegal activities, suspected fraud, or violations of our Purpose and Disclosure Statement; If we believe such disclosure is necessary or appropriate to protect the rights, property, or safety of Answer Financial, our customers, or others; or To respond to a government request or as otherwise required by law or a valid government request (including, but not limited to, search warrants, subpoenas or court orders, or to meet national security or law enforcement requirements) You will be notified via email and/or a notice on our website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information, as well as any choices you may have regarding your personal information.

Who uses VeriSign?

With headquarters in Mountain View, CA, Verisign is a leading provider of Internet security to consumers, web sites and businesses alike. Highly respected for their services, VeriSign was instrumental in securing the net for such companies as Ameritech, A T & T, Royal Bank of Canada, Visa, Texas Instruments and many others. In addition to this, they have also formed strategic partnerships with a wide range of companies including Visa, EDS, Intuit, Netscape, Microsoft, Reuters, AT&T, First Data Corp., RSA, Comcast, Network Associates, Softbank, Merrill Lynch, Cisco Systems, Gemplus, Security Dynamics, Oracle, America Online, AICPA, and Litronic.

About SSL Certificates

A Word About Cookies

Answer Financial uses secure technology that includes cookies on our Web site for advertising, site tracking, measuring site performance, and for product marketing. One of our third-party ad servers may place a cookie on your computer that, in conjunction with pixels stored on our Web pages, helps to identify your computer when you return, to personalize aspects of your experience at our site, and to better understand how visitors are using our site, all of which helps us to continually improve your experience on our site. These cookies and pixels contain no personally identifiable information (such as your name, address, telephone number or email address) and will not damage your computer. Industry standard encryption techniques are used to send these cookies and your security is not compromised by their use.

We restrict access to your personal information to our employees, our affiliates' employees, or others who need to know that information to service your account. We maintain strict physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information.