Security

Most of our site is open to everyone.  These areas were designed for browsing and they represent no security risk, since no "information" is being exchanged within them. 

However, two areas are different:

• Community
• Checkout

Community

To ensure that survivors and caregivers have a safe area for sharing ideas and concerns, the Fellowship Hall, Caregivers' Corner, and Survivors' Sanctuary will have restricted access.  Visitors must register and provide basic injury-related information before being allowed in.  Within this restricted area, everything will happen in a secure mode.

Checkout

The B Independent checkout area is the second secure area.  This is where you actually purchase the items you have placed in your Shopping Basket.  The entire checkout procedure takes place within a secure environment.  From the moment you initiate checkout through final confirmation, everything happens in a secure mode.

Signs of a secure area

You can tell whether you are in a secure area:

• All SSL-capable browsers have a symbol indicating secure mode.  With Netscape, this is a complete key.  With Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, it is a closed lock.
• The URL to the left of the colon has changed from "http" to "https."  This signals that a SSL protocol is being used to communicate with the server.
• Depending upon your browser, you may also notice a solid blue line in the upper portion of the browser's window.

Don't be startled if your browser gives you a warning when you pass from a secure area to a regular area.  You've done nothing wrong!  The message is simply confirming that you've left the secure server.