FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Why is Sawyer Savings Bank making these changes?
What are the changes being made?
What is an encrypted digital certificate?
Is installing an encrypted digital certificate safe for a computer?
Are other financial institutions doing the same thing?
What are the benefits of computer registration?
Will I be able to 'Opt-out' of this additional authentication control?
Do you have a user manual to explain the certificate download process?
Who can I contact for further questions?
 

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?
Using more than one mechanism to verify and validate the authenticity of a person’s identity; (i.e., requiring more than a User ID and password)
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Why is Sawyer Savings Bank making these changes?
Passwords alone are no longer a sufficient means of security to protect against online theft of personal information and fraud. The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has also published regulatory guidance strongly urging all financial institutions to provide an added layer of security for online banking services.
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What are the changes being made?
The current log-on process for @HomeBanking will change effective July 30, 2007. @HomeBanking users must set up security questions and answers. In addition, users will have the option of “registering” computers they use for @HomeBanking as trusted/safe to access their accounts. This process will “register” those computers by installing an encrypted digital certificate on them.
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What is an encrypted digital certificate?
A digital certificate is a way of establishing one’s credentials when doing business or conducting transactions on the Web. Digital certificates are a superior means of providing trusted authentication between user computers and Sawyer Savings Bank’s @HomeBanking system.
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Is installing an encrypted digital certificate safe for a computer?
Yes, when installed from a trusted source such as Sawyer Savings Bank.
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Are other financial institutions doing the same thing?
Some are, some aren’t. There are varied solutions that financial institutions can implement in order to comply with the FFIEC guidelines. We believe our solution is, in the long term, the best choice for our users.
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What are the benefits of computer registration?

  • Security. Computer registration dramatically reduces any change of identity theft. Instead of millions of computers potentially accessing your accounts, only the few that you register will have the power to access your accounts.
  • Convenience. You only have to register once. After that, you simply log in as normal because Sawyer Savings Bank will recognize your trusted computer.
  • Flexibility. Sawyer Savings Bank recognizes that there may be times when you are not using a trusted computer to access your accounts. When that happens, you can still access @HomeBanking by answering the private security questions that you set up.
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    Will I be able to “Opt-out” of this additional authentication control?
    No. @HomeBanking users are not required to install the encrypted digital certificate on their computers. However, if they choose to not register their primary computers, they will be required to answer security questions (along with their User ID and password) each time they attempt to access their account.
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    Do you have a user manual to explain the certificate download process?
    Yes. Click on the link below for the proper manual that corresponds with the type of browser you use for a detailed explanation of the certificate download process. Please note these documents are in Adobe Acrobat format. If you do not have Adobe to read the manuals below, click here for a free version of Adobe Reader.

    Internet Explorer  •  FireFox  •  Konqueror  •  Opera  •  Safari

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    Who can I contact for further questions?
    Feel free to contact any Customer Service Representative to ask any further questions you may have. You can contact us by email or by phone at the following numbers during regular business hours:

    Saugerties: (845) 246-7000
    Marlboro: (845) 236-7800
    Highland: (845) 691-7200
    Toll Free: (800) 486-9266

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