Secure Transactions

Are credit card transactions on Complete Bowling Index Safe?
Absolutely! In fact, it's statistically safer to use your credit card over the Internet than in a restaurant, the department store, or over the phone. Complete Bowling Index servers use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption technology that works with Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer and AOL's browser so that only Bowling Index can read a buyer's personal information.

You can tell if your web browser is secure by looking for a thin blue line (on some browsers) near the top of the web browser window. If this blue line is present, your session and your credit card information is encrypted and secure. In Netscape Navigator, either the key icon in the bottom left hand corner of the browser window changes from a broken gray icon to a complete blue icon, or, the lock in the lower right comer is closed, and the background turns yellow. Please note that you will be switched to our secure server only at the end of your shopping session when you are asked for your credit card and personal information.

It's safer to use your credit card over the internet than it is to use it in a retail store, restaurant, a mail order company or leaving a receipt on the dashboard of your car. The chance of someone stealing your credit card information over the internet is a lot less likely than someone digging through your garbage or taking it from the dumpster at your local mall or fast food restaurant. It is easier to tap your phone line than it is to steal a credit card number through the internet.

You should be aware of the two basic versions of encryption: 40 bit and 128 bit encryption. Most browsers have 40 bit encryption. This link takes you to a page provided by Netscape regarding security information: Netscape Security Information.

There is a HUGE difference between 40 bit encryption and 128 bit encryption. Some experts have estimated it would take 10¹⁹ years (longer than the estimated life of our universe) to break a 128-bit encrypted message. This, for practical purposes, should be considered safe!

Which parts of the Bowling Index site are secure?
Please note that you will be switched to our secure server only at the end of your shopping session when you are asked for your credit card and personal information. Most of the activity on our site involves the viewing of materials we've prepared and made accessible to everyone, so there's no need for these pages to be "secure". With a product page, no security risk exists because there is no "information" being exchanged. Anyone can access the same pages. The portion of the Bowling Index site that is secure is, the checkout area. This is where you actually purchase the items you've put into your Shopping Basket. This entire checkout process, from introduction to final confirmation, takes place in a secure environment.