Web Site Security

Why is my browser's address bar green?
Wasn't your site secure before?
If I don't see the green address bar, how do I know that your site is secure?
Tips to enhance your online security.


Why is my browser's address bar green?
You may have noticed that on several pages within the secure portion of our Web site, the browser's address bar is green. You can also see our parent organization's name (Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority [UHEAA]) and country location (US) inside the security status bar to the right of the address bar. This extended validation means we take extra security measures to protect your privacy. This green bar also lets you know that you are on UESP's official Web site.

Wasn't your site secure before?
UESP has always maintained a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate that enables encryption of information. Information you provide to us on secure pages is encrypted by your computer and decrypted once it reaches UESP.

The extended validation SSL certificate ensures information is still secure in transit, but it also identifies the name of the entity holding the certificate (in this case, UHEAA). This is an added protection against phishing scams, which redirect your information to a Web site that seems legitimate, but is actually a phony duplicate of the real site.

If I don't see the green address bar, how do I know that your site is secure?
Browsers other than the latest version of Internet Explorer and Firefox may not show the green address bar. However, you can check whether your Web session is secure by looking for the letters "https://" at the beginning of the Web site URL. The "s" means that the Web connection is secure.

Tips to enhance your online security.
It is UESP’s priority to make sure your account information is secure and protected. We are continually offering our account owners more convenient, online features while maintaining online security. You can also protect your computerized and personal information by following these tips:

1. Online Accounts
When using online accounts consider the following:

2. Beware of Phishing Scams
Phishing is a type of online fraud using e-mail requests to entice you to provide personal and confidential information, including online IDs, passwords, Social Security numbers, and account numbers. To avoid being hooked by a phishing scam:

3. Create Quality Passwords
Use a combination of numbers and letters in your password; then memorize it. Refrain from using the same password for more than one account. Don't use your Social Security number as a password.

4. Firewalls
A firewall provides digital protection for your computer network. Many operating systems may have this feature built in. If you do not currently have a firewall, we recommend that you obtain this valuable software to help protect yourself.

5. Use the Most Current Web Browser
By using the most current version of your Web browser, you are ensuring the most secure Internet session.

6. Use Anti-Virus Software
Anti-virus software provides some level of protection against computer viruses, including those that forage for personal information.

© 2009 Utah State Board of Regents, all rights reserved.
The terms Utah Educational Savings Plan and UESP are registered service marks.

Investors should read the Program Description and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. The Program Description is available for download on the Web or a hard copy can be mailed to you by requesting it online from this Web site.

FDIC Insurance. Except for the underlying investment specified below, investments in UESP are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). FDIC insurance is provided for the FDIC-insured savings account held in trust by UESP at Zions First National Bank (Bank). Funds in the savings account are insured by the FDIC on a pass-through basis to each account owner up to the maximum amount set by federal law—currently $250,000 through December 31, 2013, and $100,000 thereafter. The amount of FDIC insurance provided to an account owner is based on the total of (1) the value of an account owner’s investment in UESP’s FDIC-insured savings account plus (2) the value of other accounts held (if any) at the Bank, as determined by the Bank and by FDIC regulations.

No Other Insurance and No Guarantees. Investments in UESP are not insured nor guaranteed by the State of Utah, UESP, the Utah State Board of Regents, the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority, other state agencies, federal government agencies (except to the extent noted above regarding FDIC insurance ), or any employees or directors of any such entities. Units in UESP have not been registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or with any state securities commission.

Account Value. The value of your UESP account may vary depending on market conditions and the performance of the investment option you select. It could be more or less than the amount you contribute; in short, your investment could lose value. However, subject to the application of Bank and FDIC rules and regulations to each account owner, funds in UESP’s FDIC-insured savings account will retain their value, whether in Option 11 or when allocated to portions of Options 2, 7, 8, and 9.

Non-Utah taxpayers and residents: You should determine whether the state in which you or your beneficiary pay taxes or live offers a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits not otherwise available to you by investing in UESP. You should consider such state tax treatment and benefits, if any, before investing in UESP.

 

For more details about how our plan works, download a copy of our Program Description.

Click here to download a pdf.
Click here to request a mailed copy.