A Word About Security

Whenever personal and private information is offered over the Internet it's natural to wonder "will anyone else be able to see this?"

The security of Internet sites is often in the news these days. Sensational newspaper headlines tell tales of teenage hackers. T.V. news reporters talk in tenorous tones about online databases that are cracked by credit card thieves. It's enough to make you want to turn off your computer and hide under your desk.

The truth is that personal information is very secure - if you take the proper steps.

At American Standard Companies, the privacy and security of your personal information is very important to us. We have taken every measure possible to ensure that your personal information remains private.

The Data is Encrypted

When you view personal information over our Employee Services site, your private information is transmitted in an encrypted format. This means the data is put into a form that cannot be easily understood by unauthorized people.

Not only is your information encrypted, we are using 128-bit encryption. This is the highest level of security possible on the Internet. It is so powerful, it's sometimes referred to as "strong" encryption.

If your browser is configured to show security alerts, you will be notified when you launch into a secure, encrypted Internet connection. MS Internet Explorer, for example, will display a message saying:

"You are about to view pages over a secure connection. Any information you exchange with this site cannot be viewed by anyone else on the Web."

You will also see a small yellow padlock icon near the lower right-hand corner of your browser window. If you point your mouse at this icon it will confirm that you are on a 128-bit encrypted connection. Even if you or someone else has turned off security alert messages on your browser you will still see the yellow padlock icon.

The Rest Is Up To You

We've taken every step possible to ensure that no one on the Internet can see your personal information. The rest is up to you. Just as you wouldn't leave your paycheck sitting out in a place where other people can see it, you need to take some simple steps to ensure that you keep your personal online information private. Here are a few things that you should do:

1. Sign Off - Once you have viewed your paycheck, click "Sign Out" to leave the system. This helps ensure that someone who has access to your system does not view your pay information while you're not there. If you forget to click "Sign Out" the system will automatically log you off after 20 minutes.

2. Close Your Browser -To ensure your privacy always close the browser (click the "x" in the upper right-hand corner) when you are done.

3. Keep Your User ID and Password a Secret - Be as careful with your User ID and password are you are with the PIN for your bank's cash machine. NEVER give this information to anyone. Once someone has your User ID and password they can access your information.

4. Don't Forget Printed Copies - It seems like common sense, but if you print out your pay information don't leave the page sitting on a printer where other people are likely to see it.

If you follow these simple guidelines your information will be as safe and secure (and even more secure) than the old fashioned printed paycheck.

So relax and enjoy the convenience - and personal control - that you now have over your personal information.

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