Guidance on how to upgrade your browser to 128-bit encryption

What is 128-bit encryption and why do I need it?

Encryption is a method of scrambling messages that travel over the Internet so that others cannot read them. Encrypted messages can only be read with a decryption key. For example, if you are using your credit card for payment of a ticket, the system will scramble, or encrypt, it using the settings in your browser. Eurotunnel will then unscramble, or decrypt, it using "keys."

There are currently two levels of encryption available: 40-bit encryption and 128-bit encryption. Although all browsers support 40-bit encryption, the 128-bit encryption browsers provide a significantly higher level of security. To ensure the highest level of protection for our customers, Eurotunnel only allows browsers that support this industry encryption standard. If your browser does not support this level of encryption, you will need to upgrade your browser in order to access the secure pages of our website.

Note
The procedures listed below may vary depending on the browser version and platform you are using.

How can I tell if I have the 40-bit or 128-bit encryption version of my browser?

Internet Explorer for Windows

Choose the Help menu and select About Internet Explorer
Look for Cipher Strength under Version
When it says "128-bit" you have 128-bit security. When it says "40-bit" you have 40-bit security and will need to upgrade your browser to use certain areas of the Eurotunnel site

Internet Explorer for Macintosh

Choose the Apple menu and select About Internet Explorer
Click on "Support" and look for Encryption under the list of specifications

Netscape Navigator for Windows and Macintosh

Choose the Help menu and select About Navigator
The following sentence should appear: "This version supports high-grade (128-bit) security with RSA Public Key Cryptography"
When the paragraph refers to "U.S. security" you have 128-bit security. When it refers to "International security" you have 40-bit security and will need to upgrade your browser to use certain areas of the Eurotunnel site

Mozilla

Choose the Help menu and select About Mozilla Firefox
At the bottom, you will see something similar to this: "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7) Gecko/20040803 Firefox/0.9.3"
If after your platform (Windows or Macintosh) you see a “U” then you are using the U.S. version (128-bit) If you have an “I” instead of a “U” then you have the international version (40-bit) and will need to upgrade

Opera

Opera version 3.0 or greater supports 128-bit encryption (SSL v2 and v3). If you are running a version of Opera that is older than 3.0, you will need to upgrade

What do I need to do to upgrade?

The upgrade is free, simple and fairly quick. You will be required to restart your computer.

Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows

Go to the Microsoft site at www.microsoft.com
Or go directly to Microsoft Downloads
Follow the instructions provided to install the new browser
Select a browser for your platform (e.g. Internet Explorer 5.0)

Microsoft Internet Explorer for Macintosh

Go to the Microsoft site at www.microsoft.com
Or go directly to Microsoft Downloads
Follow the instructions provided to install the new browser
Under Product Name, choose Internet Explorer 5 Macintosh Edition
Under Operating System, select Macintosh and click on Find It

Netscape Navigator

Go to the Netscape site at www.netscape.com
Or go directly to Netscape Downloads
Follow the instructions provided to install the new browser
Select a browser version (e.g. Versions 4.6x)
Select a browser for your platform (e.g. 4.61 English)

Mozilla

Go to the Mozilla site at www.mozilla.org
Follow the instructions provided to install the latest browser version

Opera

Go to the Opera site at www.opera.com/download
Follow the instructions provided to install the latest browser version

Please note
Eurotunnel is not responsible for any difficulties or problems in downloading and installing software. For more information, please visit Eurotunnel website terms of use.

Technical support is provided by the software supplier.