Travel Impressions realizes how important security is to you.

So we've taken a number of steps that help enhance the safety and confidentiality of transmissions of private information sent from Travel Impressions over the Internet.

Q. Is my confidential information secure?
A. Whenever Travel Impressions asks you to send confidential information over the Internet, we require that a "secure session" using SSL first be established.

Q. What is a "secure session" and how does it helps keep my information safe?
A. During a secure SSL session, data passed back and forth between your computer and Travel Impressions systems is secured by using public key cryptography. Your computer exchanges key information with Travel Impressions computers to create a private conversation that only your computer and Travel Impressions systems can understand.

Q. What specifically is SSL?
A. Any time you access information in one of our secure online areas, that information is encrypted by a technology called Secure Sockets Layer, often abbreviated as SSL. SSL technology secretly encodes information as it is being sent over the Internet between your computer and Travel Impressions systems, helping to ensure that the information remains confidential. The use of SSL requires two components: an SSL-compatible browser and a web server to perform the "key-exchange" that establishes an SSL connection to Travel Impressions Web server systems.

Q. What type of browser do I need?
A. To benefit from SSL technology, you will need a browser with SSL capabilities. Examples of SSL browsers include Netscape 2.0, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 2.0, and the Web browser for America Online version 3.0 for Windows. (Note that some older versions of browsers will not support SSL sessions).

Q. What type of connection do I need?
A. Nearly all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) automatically enable the SSL session described above, as do most online services such as America Online, CompuServe, and Prodigy. If you use your company's internal connection to access the Internet and you find you can not access Travel Impressions' secured pages with an SSL browser described above, your company may be blocking access via a "firewall". Please speak to your firm's Internet access systems administrator for further details on your network's Internet access.

Q. When do I enter into a "secure SSL session"?
A. Secure SSL sessions are established in Travel Impressions Online Services areas whenever you are in an interactive site.

Q. Why do I need an ID and password?
A. Many areas require the use of an ID and password as an additional security measure that helps protect your confidential information. This lets Travel Impressions verify exactly who you are, thereby helping to prevent unauthorized access.

Q. What should I do when I have finished accessing confidential data?
A. When you have finished using a secure area of Travel Impressions Online Services make sure you always click on the "Logout" link which appears on the agency validation screen. When you click on it, you will be given the option to end your secure session. No further secure transactions can be conducted without re-entering your User-ID and password.

Q. Why can I still see some of my account information even after I have pressed the "Exit Secure Area" link?
A. Browser software often "caches" pages as you look at them, meaning that some pages are saved in your computer's temporary memory. Therefore, you may find that clicking on your back button shows you a saved version of a previously viewed page. Please keep in mind that caching in no way affects the security of your confidential User-ID or password. If you use your computer in a public place, please read "What should I do if I am using a 'public' computer?" below.

Q. What should I do if I am using a "public"computer?
A. If you use a computer that others also work and you are uncomfortable that they may view "cached" pages after you have left the station, then please quit/exit your browser software before leaving. This will decrease the possibility of anyone viewing confidential information.

Q. What are "Cookies"? Do I need to accept them?
A. A cookie is a text file on your computer that reminds our system of your particular browser preferences and security requirements and lets Travel Impressions know exactly who you are. If your browser prompts you when a cookie is "served", you must accept it or access to confidential information will be denied, because we will not be able to ensure that the data is being sent to the proper parties. Because cookies are site specific, only Travel Impressions Online Services can access, decode, and make use of the information.