Q&A: Security

To use our Online Services, you only need access to the Internet using your Web Browser. We support either Netscape Navigator® 4.75, Microsoft Internet Explorer® 4.0 or higher, or AOL version 4.0 or greater. However, our experience has shown Microsoft Internet Explorer to work best, so this is our recommendation. Other browsers may work but must support frames, SSL, Java 1.1 and the HTML 3.2 standard. Visit our browser download page for more information and links to download these browsers.

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What are the required browser settings?

Within your web browser you will be required to enable "Java", enable "cookies," and enable SSL 2.0 and/or 3.0 encryption. If you would rather not enable cookies our MFA software will still work, but you will not be able to register your computer. This would require you to answer one of your challenge questions every time you log into your account.

For added security, set your browser to "not save encrypted pages to disk" if this option is available.

Important: You must also have the 128bit encryption pack installed for your particular browser. Visit our browser download page for links to the Microsoft and Netscape free encryption packs. For further help with browser settings you will need to consult your browser's online help files or the resources listed on your particular browser's web site.

Java Settings...

If you use Internet Explorer 5.x
1. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Security tab.
2. Under the Security tab, choose the Internet as your content zone (click the globe).*****
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll down the list until you see the Java Permissions section and click the High Safety option.
5. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Internet Explorer 6.x
Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Security tab.
2. Under the Security tab, choose the Internet as your content zone (click the globe).
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll down the list until you see the Java Permissions section and click the High Safety option.
5. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Netscape 4.x ...
1. Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click on Advanced in the Category tree on the left.
3. Click on the Enable Java box and the Enable JavaScript box.
4. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

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Cookie Settings...

If you use Internet Explorer 5.x
1. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Security tab.
2. Under the Security tab, choose the Internet as your content zone (click the globe).
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll down the list until you see the Cookies section. Go to the item that is titled Allow per session cookies
(not stored) and click the Enable option.
5. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Internet Explorer 6.x
1. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Security tab.
2. Under the Security tab, choose the Internet as your content zone (click the globe).
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Click on the Privacy Tab
5. Set the slider button to Medium
6. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Netscape 4.x ...
1. Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click on Advanced in the Category tree on the left.
3. Click the Accept all cookies option. Check the Warn me before accepting a cookie option, if you wish.
4. Click the OK button to save the new setting.
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SSL Encryption Settings...

If you use Internet Explorer 5.x
1. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Advanced tab.
2. Under the Advanced tab, scroll down to the Security section.
3. Click on (both) boxes to Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0.
4. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Internet Explorer 6.x
1. Click the Tools menu and choose Internet Options and click on the Advanced tab.
2. Under the Advanced tab, scroll down to the Security section.
3. Click on (both) boxes to Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0.
4. Click on the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" button.
5. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

If you use Netscape 4.x ...
1. Click on the Security icon on the main tool bar (the open lock symbol)
2. Click on Navigator link on the left side of the Security dialog box.
3. Click on the box to Enable SSL (Security Sockets Layer) v2.
4. Click on the box to Enable SSL (Security Sockets Layer) v3.
5. Click the OK button to save the new setting.

Important: You must also have the 128bit encryption pack installed for your particular browser. Visit our browser download page for links to these free encryption packs. For further help with browser settings you will need to consult your browser's online help files or the resources listed on your particular browser's web site.

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When I try to log into my account old data appears or another family member's account comes up. What's going on and how can this be fixed?

This problem is almost always due to new software being added on a member's PC, or changes in the security settings of a member's browser, or some type of program corruption. In each case, the remedy is the same--you will need to check/reset the following settings in your browser.

The first thing you should do is to set your browser to "automatically visit the page every time" you request it. Assuming you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer you would click on TOOLS (on the toolbar) and then INTERNET OPTIONS. Under the General Tab/Temporary Internet Files section click on SETTINGS. Once there, click on the "every visit to the page" option and then click APPLY

Once your browser is set to check for new changes "every visit to the page" go back to the same General Tab page under TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS, and click on the Delete Cookies button. After doing this click on the Delete Files button (including all offline content). This last action can take several minutes, so please be patient. After following these instructions your browser will no longer bring up old information.

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What is a cookie?

A cookie is a small text file loaded onto a user's PC which "communicates" with a web server. Peninsula Online Services uses session cookies to help your browser display information properly. Session cookies do not collect or save any information about you, or your computer, and expire as soon as you close your browser. Please consult our partnered sites for information on how they might make use of cookies. Your browser will need to have cookies enabled (turned on) in order to view your account information properly. Look here for instructions on this setting.

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Can I "bookmark" Internet Account Access and bypass the web site?

Bookmarking the login page in order to bypass our web site has been known to cause problems. The most common problem is a failed login with the message "The server is currently unavailable." Several failed attempts may also cause your account to be locked down. For this reason, it is best to always log in from our web site.

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Sometimes Internet Account Access is slow. Why is this?

Several layers of sophisticated security insulate member account information from the internet. Each layer needs a small bit of time to accomplish its task. In addition, internet traffic tends to surge and decline at different times of the day and month. Any combination of these factors may slow Internet Account Access from time to time.

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Can I access my account(s) from my office PC?

Yes. However, there are several types of internet access available. Your office PC may access the internet through a network with its own internal security in place. Or, your office PC/network may have its own firewall in place which may block access to your account. Also, your workplace browser must be configured correctly for Internet Account Access to work properly. In any of these cases, you will need to consult your network administrator or technical support person for help with this issue.

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The security message "You have requested a secure document..." keeps popping up. What should I do?

Peninsula Online Services is a fully secure application. If you have not disabled the security warning message option in your browser it will display this, or a similar message. To suppress this message, set your browser to not display secure warning messages. This setting can be found under "Tools--Internet Options--Advanced" (Internet Explorer) or "Preferences" (Netscape). For further help with these settings you will need to consult your browser's online help files or the resources listed on your particular browser's web site.

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I'm getting a message that says "The Page Cannot Be Displayed" or that it is currently unavailable. What's happening?

You would likely get this message under one of two conditions: (1) Peninsula Online Services will end your session if it has been inactive for more than 20 minutes. If you try to click on any other area of our Online Services, this is the type of message you will receive. You will still see the last Online Services screen you were at because each page, as it is displayed, is copied to your computer's hard drive. This is true of any web page you visit. Images and text are saved so that you don't have to wait for everything to reload when you return to a previously visited page. To correct this situation simply log in again. (2) Our services may be temporarily interrupted for a brief period of time for data processing or routine maintenance. In this case try again after a little while.

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I'm getting a message that says "The Internet site you are trying to view uses a security certificate that was signed by an unknown authority. This page cannot be viewed." What should I do?

This simply means that the browser you are using is an older version that does not understand the high-level encryption that Peninsula Online Services uses. In order to provide you with a secure connection, you must upgrade your browser to one of those specified above which support 128bit SSL data encryption.

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I'm getting a message about a Java-related error. What should I do?

In order to use Peninsula Online Services, you must be using a browser that is "Java" enabled. Java is a computer language most modern browsers understand. To correct this problem, make sure Java is enabled in your browser. Versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape must be 4.0 or higher. With AOL, you should be using version 4.0 or higher and the browser should be version 4.01 or higher. For further help with this setting you will need to consult your browser's online help files or the resources listed on your particular browser's web site.

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I downloaded the latest browser version (Netscape or Explorer). Now I can no longer access my account. What happened?

The version of Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer you downloaded is probably the international version. These versions do not use 128bit data encryption. Whenever you download new browser software, be sure to choose the 128bit strong encryption version. Once you complete the 128bit strong encryption installation, make sure you have "cookies" enabled. For further help with these settings you will need to consult your browser's online help files or the resources listed on your particular browser's web site.

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Can I use an Apple/Macintosh to access Peninsula Online Services?

Yes. Peninsula Online services is platform independent, meaning it doesn't matter what kind of computer or modem you have. All you need is an Internet connection and a properly configured web browser. We support either Netscape Navigator® 4.75, Microsoft Internet Explorer® 4.0 or higher, or AOL version 4.0 or greater. However, our experience has shown Microsoft Internet Explorer to work best, so this is our recommendation. Other browsers may also work but must support Frames, 128 bit SSL encryption, Java 1.1, and the HTML 3.2 standard. Visit our browser download page for more information and links to download these browsers.

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Can I use WebTV to access Peninsula Online Services?

Perhaps. Many WebTV browsers cannot support Java. Because of this, Peninsula Online Services is not recommended for use with WebTV. Some members using WebTV have reported being able to access our Online Services. However, we are not currently able to support this access method.

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How do I change my PIN Number?

You have the ability to change your PIN/password at any time when using this service. To do this you must already be logged-in. This assures you of complete confidentiality. Your PIN/password may be any combination of five-to-ten alpha and/or numeric characters. It should be easy for you to remember, but not so obvious that someone else can figure it out. Remember, your PIN/password is case sensitive and you will need to remember if you used upper or lower case letters. You will need to log off Online Services, after you perform a PIN/password change in order for the change to become effective.

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What if I forget my PIN Number?

If you forget your PIN/Password you will need to call our Member Service Center at 360/426-1601 or toll free at 800/426-1601 to re-activate your account. For security reasons you will be required to verify your identity when you call.

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I tried to log in and my PIN won' t work. What should I do?

Your PIN number may need to be reset. Peninsula Online has a built in security feature that automatically disables your PIN after three consecutive unsuccessful login attempts. To request a new or updated PIN or to be reset, contact Member Services at 360-426-1601 (800-426-1601), during business hours.

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I am having trouble transferring funds between accounts. What should I do?

To transfer funds between different accounts, you must be set up for Cross Account Transfers on your accounts. To request to have Cross Account Transfers enabled on your account, email us at membership@pcfcu.org . If you have already been set up for this service and are still experiencing problems, please contact Member Services at 360/426-1601 or 800/426-1601 during business hours.

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I am getting a message that says, “Your session has timed out. You may log in again” when I try to log in. What should I do?

You are most likely getting this error because your Content Advisor is enabled in Internet Explorer and you have done a recent update through Microsoft update. Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem due to a software flaw in Internet Explorer with Content Advisor enabled. This can be resolved in one of two ways: (1) Disable Content Advisor. (2) Add https://mas.usersonlnet.com to the Approved Sites in your Content Advisor’s list of approved Web sites.

Content Advisor

1. You will need to know the Supervisor Password in order to manage Content Advisor.

2. Click the Tools menu, choose Internet Options and click the Content tab.

3. Under the Content Advisor section click Disable if you want to disable Content Advisor. If you do not want to disable Content Advisor, under the Content

4. Advisor section click Settings, Approved Sites tab, type the address https://mas.usersonlnet.com into the Allow this Web site box and click Always.

5. Click the OK button to save the settings.

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