First Affirmative Financial NetworkGradient Individual Investors Institutional Investors Network Members Become A Member Media Professionals Login | Search | WelcomeNews You Can Use Find an Adviser Contact UsSRI in the Rockies

Our ServicesSustainable Investment Solutions™ Proxy Voting Guidelines (pdf) FAFN Giving FundAbout UsMore About UsOur BeliefsOur GoalsMedia Center FAFN Leadership

Internet Security

First Affirmative Finanical Network, LLC safeguards information according to established security standards and procedures in order to keep your information secure and confidential. In addition, we continually assess new technology for protecting information and have external vendors perform regular audits of our system. The result is distributed security, ensuring protection throughout the process: on your computer, during the transmission of information, and at First Affirmative's own computer systems.

Distributed security means that, rather than rely on one security measure, First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC uses many lines of defense to protect your account information, including the following:

Encryption | Firewalls | Timed Log Off | Virus Protection | Secure Login

First Affirmaitve Financial Network, LLC takes numerous steps to keep your accounts and personal information secure, but you also play a role in maintaining the security of your account information. Here are steps you can take:

Protect the confidentiality of your Login Name and Password | Log off | Use a current version of your internet browser | Ensure your information is secure


Encryption
First Affirmative uses Secured Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for online transactions, and each session uses a unique master key to encrypt messages. Encryption is a communications process that scrambles private information to prevent unauthorized access as information is being transmitted between your browser and FAFN. Once you sign off, the master key used for that session becomes useless, since it is only good for one session. Before you are able to login to FAFN's services, you must be using an internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption, the highest level of security available.
Back to Top

Firewalls
First Affirmative's computer system does not connect directly to the internet, as every system that interacts with the internet is at risk of attack from hackers. We use firewall technology to intercede between our computers and the internet. A firewall blocks unauthorized interactive access from individuals or other networks. In addition, we use outside security experts to attempt unauthorized attacks, both internally and externally, to ensure our systems are secure. We also monitor our systems for unauthorized entries, and log any such attempts.
Back to Top

Timed Log Off
If you forget to log off or if your session is inactive for several minutes, our site automatically logs off your current session. Once the session has been automatically terminated, no one will be able to access your secure information. You will need to log back in with your Login Name and Password to access your First Affirmative account information.
Back to Top

Virus Protection
We use sophisticated tools to detect and prevent computer viruses from entering First Affirmative's computer systems.
Back to Top

Secure Login
You access your First Affirmative account information by entering your unique Login Name and Password, both of which are encrypted as they pass over the internet and before they are received by the web hosting system. When you enroll for our electronic services, you select both the Login Name and Password, and we do not have access to your password to further increase security.
Back to Top


Client Security Steps
FAFN takes numerous steps to keep your accounts and personal information secure, but you also play a role in maintaining the security of your information. Here's what you can do:

Protect the confidentiality of your Login Name and Password.
Most of us who use the internet are overwhelmed with the login names and passwords we need to track and protect. However, you should take this responsibility very seriously. Identity theft most often occurs when the victim leaves confidential information—such as account statements or computer passwords—visible at their work area at home or on the job. This sensitive information can then be picked up by household employees, company guests or other passersby and used to access your account information.

To stop this problem, always protect your access information. Do not keep a list of login names and passwords—either electronically or on paper—readily accessible on your desk. Ideally, you should memorize passwords and never write them down or reveal them to anyone. If necessary, keep an electronic list in a document protected with a master password that you change often. Or, keep a paper list in a safe with a combination you can remember without writing down.

Your First Affirmative Password
Following is a list of features and issues that you should know about your First Affirmative Password:

  • Your Password is case sensitive.
  • Your Password must be a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 25 characters in length.
  • Your Password must contain at least one letter and at least one number.
  • Because your password enables us to identify and authenticate your use of First Affirmative Client or Adviser Access, as well as will permit entry into the secure portion, you agree to keep your Password confidential.
  • You are responsible for what occurs on the First Affirmative website under your Login Name and Password.

Tips to Creating and Using a Good Password
These tips may reduce the risk that someone might obtain your Login Name and Password and abuse your account.

  • Make your password unique to you and change it regularly.
  • Never use a password that would be easy for others who know you to guess; pet names and real-word passwords are easy to guess or crack.
  • Change your password regularly. It's important to change your password regularly, which you can easily do when you begin a session by clicking on Change Password.
  • Memorize your password.
  • Do not share your password with anyone. Sharing your password with another is the same as giving that individual authority to use your name in a transaction.
  • Do not say your password out loud.

Back to Top

Log off when you are not using First Affirmative's services.
We recommend users log off before visiting other sites or turning off their computers. We also suggest they do not visit other sites when logged on to First Affirmative's site. Be particularly vigilant if you are not at your own computer when you use our website. Be certain to log off and quit the internet browser when using a computer other than your own. If you forget to do so, the FAFN website automatically signs you off after several minutes of inactivity.
Back to Top

Use a current version of your internet browser.
We recommend using a current version of an industry standard internet browser, such as Internet Explorer, FireFox (Netscape) and Safari. Doing so will not only give you the best performance and appearance of all features of the First Affirmative site, but it will also give you the highest level of security. Before you are able to login to FAFN's services, you must be using an internet browser that supports 128-bit encryption, the highest level of security available and secure socket layer (SSL) technology. In addition, we recommend the following to maintain the security of your First Affirmative account:

  • Take advantage of your browser's built-in security features that browsers provide. Choosing certain security settings and options will help protect the privacy of your accounts and personal information.
  • Always update your browser when new versions are released. They often include new security features.

Back to Top

Ensure your information is secure.
Sending sensitive information such as your social security number, account number, or other personal data over the internet can be dangerous if you can not validate the reputation of the company you are doing business with and communicate over a "secure" means of transmission. Before sending private information over the internet, make sure you are using a "secured" connection.

When you sign into the First Affirmative website, your Login Name and password are sent over the internet from your computer to ours using a secure socket layer (SSL). SSL encrypts your personal information before it leaves your computer, ensuring that no one else can read it. Once you have signed in, you can check that your FAFN session is secure in two ways:

  • Look for the small padlock icon usually located in the lower right hand corner of your internet browser window. A closed, or "locked," padlock indicates a secure connection.
  • Look for the letters "https://" at the beginning of the Web site address or URL in your Web browser. The "s" after "http" means "secure."

In addition, we suggest you do not keep sensitive information on any of your hard drives. If you do need to store such information, such as financial data, keep it on password-protected removable media stored in a secure location.
Back to Top

 
First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC is an independent investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The information posted on this website is for informational use only. As such, it is illustrative in nature and subject to change. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities that may be mentioned herein. Nothing on this website should be considered financial or business advice. All investment reporting is based upon historical information and should not be considered indicative of future results. First Affirmative will never guarantee specific investment results. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but First Affirmative does not guarantee the accuracy of any specific statement contained herein. View our Privacy Policy. View our Internet Security information.
© May 2000– 18 April, 2008 . Unless otherwise stated, photographs contained in this site are © Jupiterimages Corporation. Unless otherwise stated, all text and other images contained in this site are the property of First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC Colorado Springs, Colorado USA. No portion of this document may be reproduced without written consent. Thank you. This site is created and maintained by Mountain Muse Communications. If you experience any concerns or problems with this site, please contact their webmaster.