Compatible browsersTo use our Web applications, you’ll need a browser that supports 128 bit encryption technology. Browsers supporting this encryption technology include:- Using a PC: Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.x or Netscape 7.0 or higher
- Using a Macintosh with OS8 or OS9: Netscape 6.2
- Using a Macintosh with OSX: Netscape 7.1
If you need to upgrade your Netscape or Internet Explorer, use the links below to download these browsers for free.Download the latest version of NetscapeDownload Internet Explorer 7Browser settingsCheck the following settings on your browser:- Your browser must have 128-bit encryption. Encryption is the ability of the browser to scramble the contents of a Web site so that no one else can see the information being entered. Our Web applications need 128-bit encryption to operate properly.
- Your browser must be set to accept “session” cookies. Cookies help the application work on your computer. E-FILE Minnesota only uses session cookies, so they are deleted as soon as you exit the application.
- Your browser should be set to refresh every visit to a page. Because the screens within our Web applications could change slightly at any time, it’s best to have your computer set to refresh on each visit to a page to ensure that you re always seeing the latest version.
- If you have a firewall server, it must be set to allow you access to this site. Some companies have a firewall server that protects their computers from invasion and leaks. Depending on how your firewall server’s settings are applied, it could hinder your use of our Web applications.
- You must be set to use SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 security. SSL = Secure Socket Layer, a high-level method of making sure the data you’re transmitting is kept safe and secure.
- If you are connecting to our Web applications via cable modem, you may encounter problems accessing the site. This is usually due to a firewall. Please contact your service provider or system administrator to adjust your firewall settings.
Checking your browser settings on a PC Internet Explorer1. Click on “Help” at the top of the browser screen. Then click “About Internet Explorer”. The version must be 5.5 or higher. The cipher strength is listed just below the version and should say 128 bit.
2. Click on “Tools” at the top of the browser screen. Then click “Internet Options”.
- To check how often you are refreshing pages: Select the “General” tab and click the “Settings” button. “Every visit to the page” should be selected.
- To check for accepting cookies:
- For IE version 5.5: Select the “Security” tab, click on the “Internet” symbol, and click “Custom level”. Scroll down to the section called “Cookies”. “Enable” should be selected.
- For IE version 6: Select the “Privacy” tab, click on the “Advanced” button. Either “Accept third party cookies” or “Always allow session cookies” should be selected. To change the setting, click “Override automatic cookie handling”.
- To check for security level: Select the “Advanced” tab. Scroll down to the section titled “Security”. Make sure that “Use SSL 2.0” and “Use SSL 3.0” are selected.
- To check for firewall or LAN settings: Select the “Connections” tab, and click on “LAN Settings”. If any of the following options are checked, you may experience difficulty using our Web applications depending on how your firewall is set. Talk to your computer expert to have this reviewed and adjusted if necessary.
- Automatically detect settings.
- Use automatic configuration script.
- Use a Proxy server.
Netscape1. Click on “Help” at the top of your browser screen. Then click “About Navigator”. The version must be 7.0 or higher (version 6.0 should not be used as it has known flaws).
2. Scroll down to the “RSA” icon. If it says “RC-2-CBC”, then it has 128 bit encryption and will be fine for our Web applications and most other similar Web applications.
3. Click on “Edit” at the top of your browser screen. Then click “Preferences”, then “Advanced”.
- To check how often your browser is refreshing pages: Select the “Cache” category on the left under “Advanced”. Make sure that “Every time” is selected at the bottom of the page.
- To check for accepting cookies: Make sure “Accept all cookies” is selected.
- To check for firewall or LAN settings: Select the “Proxies” category on the left under “Advanced”. If either “Manual Proxy configuration” or “Automatic Proxy configuration” are checked, you may experience difficulty using our Web applications.
Using a MacintoshMac users running OS 9.x and earlier should install Netscape 6.2 or higherMac users running OS X should install Netscape 7.0 or higherMacintosh using OS9.2 and Netscape 6.21. Open browser
2. Pull down the “Apple” menu and click “About Netscape Navigator”
- Look for the statement “This version supports U.S. security with RSA Public Key Cryptography.” This means it has 128 bit encryption. RSA, RC2 or RC4 = 128 bit encryption.
3. Click on “Edit” then “Preferences”
- Select “Cache”
- • Set the page to “Always” update
- • Clear the cache
- • Set the cache size to the maximum allowed (512 MB).
- Select Cookies from menu on left side of pop-up
- Make sure cookies are enabled.
- Select Security from menu on the left side of pop-up
- Make sure that SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 are enabled.
Macintosh using OS X and Netscape 7.1:1. Open browser
2. Pull down the “Apple” menu and click “About Netscape Navigator”
- Look for the statement “This version supports U.S. security with RSA Public Key Cryptography.” This means it has 128 bit encryption. Cipher strength RSA, RC2 or RC4 = 128 bit encryption.
3. Click on “Edit” then “Preferences”
- Select “Cache”
- Set the page to “Always” update
- Clear the cache
- Set the cache size to the maximum allowed (512 MB).
- Under “Privacy and Security, select “Cookies”.
- Make sure “Enable all cookies” is selected”
- Under “Privacy & Security” select “SSL”
- Make sure that SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0 are enabled.
Using AOLThe default setting is to always look at the stored copy of Internet pages from the hard drive. This means that once you have trouble with a page or see the “technical difficulties” message, you will always see that old page. This may cause problems for you in our Web applications.To see a fresh version of a page, each time you get to a new screen, click on the “Reload” symbol at the top of your browser or on your keyboard press the “CTRL” and “R” keys at the same time.
