On the Login screen, L.A.W.S./Pro offers an option for encrypting information transmitted between your computer and the JDUSA servers. You may select this option by checking the box labeled "Encrypted" under the "Login" button. This box is not checked as the default setting, and if left unchecked, transmitted information is not encrypted.

WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO USE "ENCRYPTION"?

The key reason is for transmission speed. When using encryption, all information transmitted between the L.A.W.S./Pro servers and your computer must be encrypted (scrambled) and then decrypted (unscrambled) before it is displayed on your monitor. This, of course, reduces transmission speed and can double the time it takes to display a page.

Information is transmitted between your computer and the L.A.W.S./Pro servers in separate "packets" or small bits and pieces. For example, the information for a calendar page consists of many "packets" (the more calendar entries, the more packets). The risk in not using encryption is that hackers who want to obtain your information could be able to see individual packets of information, but they still would not be able to see the entire information without having all the packets. Individual packets by themselves are meaningless pieces of information. It's like trying to see an entire jigsaw puzzle if you only have one of the pieces -- you can't because that one piece by itself is useless. It is only if all the sensitive information is small enough to fit into one packet, such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, that there is any serious risk of interception of unencrypted data, so in those instances, the data should be encrypted. This, however, generally is not a real concern when using L.A.W.S./Pro because information is sent in multiple packets (bits and pieces), which makes interception of any one small piece nearly useless by itself. In addition, using secured Internet connections, such as DSL, T1 or dedicated lines, and a major Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as AT&T, Sprint or others, keeps hackers from intercepting information as easily as using small, local ISPs.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO USE "ENCRYPTION"?

Encryption absolutely assures that all information is transmitted with the highest possible level of security. Although not guaranteed to be absolutely safe from interceptable, encryption definitely makes interception extremely difficult, if not impossible. So, if you want to use the highest level of security for transmitting confidential data, you should check the "Encryption" box before logging in.

CAN YOU USE BOTH ENCRYPTED AND NON-ENCRYPTED MODES?

Yes, and this is the recommended method of using the program. To switch between these modes, you must log off and then log back in with the "Encrypted" box marked or unmarked accordingly. You can use the Non-Encrypted mode for normal day-to-day non-sensitive activities for the fastest response time possible. Then when you need to perform sensitive operations, such as billing, uploading or downloading a confidential document or sending a confidential e-mail message, and you want to use the highest level of security, you can log off and log back on in Encrypted mode.