Frequently Asked Questions

• Protecting the privacy and security of member information is a priority at UNFCU. UNFCU’s use of encrypted e-mail enables us to send quick, reliable communications that protect the confidentiality of member-specific information.

• Encrypted e-mail is scrambled by the sender's e-mail program, which renders it unreadable until it is de-scrambled or "decrypted" by the recipient. Unencrypted e-mail is similar to a postcard - the message can be viewed by anyone who picks it up. Encrypted e-mail is similar to a sealed letter as the content cannot be viewed until the envelope is opened, however, in this case the envelope has a lock on it to which only the recipient has a key!

• Whenever UNFCU transmits sensitive member or financial information over via e-mail, the e-mail will include a message that the content has been encrypted
• Encrypted e-mails from UNFCU will include instructions on how to login and view messages - this will require the recipient to perform a few simple clicks

• Not all email systems are configured to encrypt and decrypt electronic messages. In order to provide consistent and convenient access to encrypted messages, email sent to systems that are unable to decrypt secure messages will contain a link to a secure website where the message can be read.

• No, recipients are not required to purchase or install any additional software or hardware to receive encrypted email from UNFCU. Note however, that access to the Internet via a web browser will be needed to retrieve secure messages.

• Secure email messages are intended only for the designated recipient. This requires the reader associated with each email to be identified with a username and to authenticate with a password. By default the username is the recipients email address.

• When a user receives notice that a secure message is available, the notification will include a link. The first time a recipient accesses the Secure Email Delivery Site by clicking on the link, the user will be prompted to enter their user name, create a password and verify it. Going forward the user will need to enter this password each time the site is accessed to view and reply to email.

• During initial enrollment the user will be asked to answer four security hint questions. In the event that a password is forgotten or compromised the user will need to answer at least three of the four questions correctly in order to reset.

• Anyone who receives an encrypted e-mail from UNFCU will be able to send an encrypted reply to the original sender. The encrypted messages cannot be forwarded to another party.

• Yes, UNFCU can send encrypted attachments along with the e-mail message. Recipients can also add attachments to replies.

• Viewed messages will be cleaned up after seven days. Replies older than seven days will be purged. All non –viewed messages older than 14 days will also be purged. Once the messages stored on the secure website are purged they cannot be recovered.