Encryption is a method of scrambling messages so they cannot be read without decryption keys. The length of the key used to encrypt messages is a good indication of the amount of effort needed to decrypt that message. For more information please view http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.asp

Below is some information that I got off the web on checking the browser for the encryption level

How to check your browser for 128-bit encryption!

If your browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher:

1: Open up your browser window.

2: Click on the "Help" option button at the top of the browser.

3: Click on the heading "About Internet Explorer" (view an image of this action).

4: There should be a heading called "Cipher Strength" in the window that opens up when you click on the "About Internet Explorer" (view an image of this action). It must say 128-bit, to the right of the "Cipher Strength" heading, for you to have 128-bit encryption.

If you don't have 128-bit encryption you can click on the link "(Update Information)", to the right of the "Cipher Strength" heading, to download the 128-bit encryption software.

If your browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer and is less than version 4.0:

1: Download the current software version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Click here to download the latest version: Microsoft Internet Explorer

2: Follow the directions above for "Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher."

If your browser is Netscape Navigator:

1: Open up your browser window.

2: Click on the "Help" option button at the top of the browser.

3: Click on the heading "About Navigator" or "About Communicator" (view an image of this action).

4: Once you have clicked on the "About Navigator" or "About Communicator" heading you will be taken to a page that tells you about your browser version. In this page you must have a section of text that states (view an image of this action):

This version supports U.S. security with RSA Public Key Cryptography, MD2, MD5, RC2-CBC, RC4, DES-CBC, DES-EDE3-CBC .

If you don't have this section of text, you will need to upgrade your Netscape browser. Click here to download the latest version: Netscape Communicator

If your browser is AOL:

1: If you are using AOL, you must use the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser that comes with version 5.0 of America Online. If you currently don't have AOL version 5.0 you will need to upgrade in order to make payments at this site. When you install AOL version 5.0 you will need to install the Microsoft Internet Explorer software also. Click here to download the latest version: America Online

2: Once you have completed installation of both the AOL version 5.0 and the Microsoft Internet Explorer you will need to check the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser to see if it contains 128-bit encryption software. You can do this by following the instructions for "Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher" above (go there now).

3: After checking the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser to see if it includes the 128-bit software, you can log on to America Online. Once you have logged on to AOL you will need to minimize the AOL browser and open the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. You may then proceed to make payments at our DIY store using the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.