Security

Browser Information
Among the several features that we have introduced to assist you in protecting your personal and financial information, our web site supports versions of Netscape Communicator^™†*, and Microsoft^®† Internet Explorer browsers that use 40-bit or 128-bit encryption.

Encryption is a means of scrambling information for transmission, in this case, between your PC and the Bank's computing systems. Information that is encrypted at one end is decrypted (decoded) upon receipt at the other end.

128-bit encryption is the strongest, most secure form of encryption that is generally available in Internet browsers on the market in North America today. BMO Financial Group requires that our clients use 128-bit encryption when conducting financial transactions over the Internet. We also recommend the use of 128-bit encryption for all non-financial transactions over the Internet.

If you wish to access the client log in screens through our web site, please ensure that you have a browser with 128-bit encryption. If your browser doesn't operate at this level of encryption, you will likely see an "Insufficient Encryption" message if you try to access a client log in screen.

You can download the most recent version of Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer with 128-bit encryption by clicking on the respective icon below.

40-bit encryption is the basic minimum standard that is prevalent in most browser products. Your browser probably uses 40-bit encryption unless you have specifically obtained 128-bit encryption. It is widely used internationally and is still endorsed by some banks around the world. If you wish, you may select 40-bit encryption for conducting non-financial transactions with Bank of Montreal. The choice is yours.

Please note that your browser needs to be Javascript-enabled in order for the navigation to work on this site.

About Cache
Cache has been designed to improve performance and reduce network traffic. When you view a web page, it is stored in both your browser’s memory cache and your computer’s disk cache.

Your browser relies on its memory cache when you use the browser Back button. Rather than going to the network to retrieve the page, the page is retrieved from the browser memory cache. To protect the confidential nature of your personal information, we highly recommend that you clear your browser's memory cache or close your browser (which will also clear the browser memory cache) after logging out of your account.

You should also be aware that by retrieving a page from cache, you may be provided with "stale" information. If you need to ensure that your cached page is being compared to the network page for accuracy, select the Reload (Netscape) or Refresh (Microsoft IE) option from your browser toolbar.

To Clear Your Cache
If you are using any version of Netscape Communicator™^†* 4:

1. From your browser menu select: Edit
2. From the Edit drop-down menu select: Preferences
3. Under the "Category" list (on left side of the Preferences window), open the sub-menu for "Advanced" by clicking on the + symbol
4. From the Advanced sub-menu, click on the word: Cache
5. From the Cache window select: Clear Memory Cache & Clear Disk Cache; then select the OK button at the bottom of the Cache window.

If you are using any version of Netscape Communicator™†* 6:

1. From your browser menu select: Edit
2. From the Edit drop-down menu select: Preferences
3. Under the "Category" list (on left side of the Preferences window), open the sub-menu for "Advanced" by clicking on the + symbol
4. From the Advanced sub-menu, click on the word: Cache
5. From the Cache window select: Clear Memory Cache & Clear Disk Cache; then select the OK button at the bottom of the Cache window.

If you are using any version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4:

1. From your browser menu select: View
2. From the View drop-down menu select: Internet Options
3. From the Internet Options window select: General
4. From the General folder, look for the Temporary Internet Files section near the middle of the window, click on the Delete Files button; a new window appears with the question "Delete all files in Temporary Internet Files Folder?", click on OK. Then select the OK button at the bottom of the Internet Options window.

If you are using any version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5:

1. From your browser menu select: Tools
2. From the Tools drop-down menu select: Internet Options
3. From the Internet Options window select: General
4. From the General folder, look for the Temporary Internet Files section near the middle of the window, click on the Delete Files button; a new window appears with the question "Delete all files in Temporary Internet Files Folder?", click on OK. Then select the OK button at the bottom of the Internet Options window.

As an added security measure in any version of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, you may decide to set your browser defaults as follows:

1. From your browser menu select: Tools
2. From the Tools drop-down menu select: Internet Options
3. From the Internet Options window select: Advanced
4. From the Advanced scroll-down window, look for the Security section title. From this section, you may decide you prefer to select the following option:
   • Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed
   Then click on OK at bottom of window.