How secure is my information?
Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc. takes special care in maintaining the privacy and security of your information. For example, CLIENTLINK requires you to enter a valid Account Number and Password before permitting you to see any personal or financial information. This site also encrypts all the information that the server and your browser exchange. If you are inactive for an extended period of time, the site will log you off and you will need to re-enter your Account Number and Password. «
Why are cookies important?
This site uses a common technique, HTTP-header cookies, to identify one page request from another. The cookies this site creates do not contain any personal information. They merely allow the site to recognize a page request comes from someone who has already logged on. The information is stored temporarily in memory and is available only during the course of a session. The information is removed once you log off or close down your browser. Some browsers can be configured to warn the user whenever a site sends it a cookie. If your browser provides an edit message asking you to accept or reject the use of cookies, you should accept. The site will not work without them. «
What is encryption?
Encryption is a mathematical process that transforms a message in order to conceal its meaning. Encryption is used to protect messages from eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery over the Internet. «
How is encryption used by this site?
It is the policy of Wedbush Morgan Securities to encrypt the transmission of all personal or financial information that is transmitted between our server and your browser. Any time you enter an order or provide personal information in our Customer Center (such as an account number or password), we encrypt it using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. SSL protects information as it crosses the Internet. To support this technology, you need an SSL3-capable browser. We recommend using a strong encryption, 128-bit browser such as Netscape Navigator 7.0 or higher, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, or AOL 8.0 or higher. These browsers will activate SSL3 automatically whenever you sign on to your ClientLink account.
You can tell if you are visiting a secure area within a Web site by looking at the symbol on the bottom of your browser screen. In the above referenced browsers, you will see either a lock or a key. When the symbol appears unbroken or the padlock is in the locked position, your session connection is taking place via a secure server.
If you need a strong encryption browser, you can go to the Netscape web site or the Microsoft web site to download the latest Navigator or Internet Explorer browser. We do not recommend the use of beta browser versions.
For immediate technical support on browsers, please contact the browser provider. For general questions on Wedbush.com, please contact 1-888-WEDBUSH or 1-888-933-2874. «
How can I tell that SSL is in effect?
The URL of a secure document begins with HTTPS://. The additional "S" on the end of the familiar HTTP indicates a secure channel to the server. In Netscape Navigator 4.06 or higher or Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher, the security icon is a padlock. The hasp of the padlock will be closed once a secure channel is established. «
How secure is SSL?
SSL uses public-key encryption. This technology can use keys of various sizes. The larger the key length, the greater the number of possible keys, the more difficult the decryption challenge, and the more secure the message. Browsers generally have one of two key sizes--40-bit or 128-bit. Messages encrypted with a 40-bit key could possibly be decoded in less time than those encrypted with a 128-bit key. Messages encrypted with a 128-bit key are 3 x 1026 (3 followed by 26 zeros) times harder to break.
This site will provide the maximum level of encryption supported by your browser. Those wishing to maximize the security of their Web activities are encouraged to obtain a browser with 128-bit encryption. «
Why do I need to use a particular browser?
In order to maximize the privacy of your information as well as to provide a consistent visual presentation, a relatively current and capable browser is required. For example, the browser must support JavaScript, Cookies, and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption standard for browsers. For enhanced security, we recommend using a browser version that uses 128-bit SSL encryption. Furthermore, those browsers have been used to extensively test this site to ensure that the pages display and behave in a predictable manner.
The browser requirement for this site is Netscape Navigator* 4.06 and above, or Microsoft Internet Explorer* 4.0 and above. Macintosh* users require Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.51 or greater. Other browsers may work if they have the required browser features; however, this site has not been tested or certified for other browsers.
Note: If you are an AOL user, you will also need to use one of the minimum required browsers. You may need to download one of the approved browsers to use CLIENTLINK. «
What responsibility do I need to take as a customer?
Customers have their own set of responsibilities in providing security for their Wedbush Morgan Securities brokerage accounts. Passwords must be kept secret. You should make sure that no one is physically watching as your passwords are entered. It is also important to remember to log off of CLIENTLINK and even exit the browser when leaving the computer.
If your PC is left unattended with the browser running and a valid Account Number and Password cached, anyone may gain access to the account. You should also take precautions to keep computers clean and free from viruses that could be used to capture your password keystrokes. «
