Dreyfus Lion Account ®

Dreyfus Lion Account^® Technology FAQs (Internet)

Q: What browsers do you support?

A: Netscape Navigator browsers versions 3.0 and higher and Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0 and higher.

Q: What is a "cookie?"

A: A "cookie" is a temporary Security ID number assigned by an Internet site to your browser each time you log in (like a visitor's ID badge). This "visitor's ID badge" lets you move from page to page within password-protected areas of the Internet site, and even leave the site and return, without having to log in each time you click to view a new page. The "cookie" is valid for 30 minutes after logging in, and will expire 30 minutes after login or immediately after a logout, or the closing of the browser.

The Dreyfus Lion Account^® recommends that you do not deactivate your browser's "cookie." Doing so means that your "visitor's ID badge" cannot be implanted on or read from your browser, and you will not be able to move freely from page to page.

The use of "cookies" is intended to safeguard an account's confidentiality and security, and to make site navigation and retrieval of customized information easier, more efficient and more convenient. We will not implant or retrieve information from a browser for any other purpose.

Q: Each time I click on my Balances hyperlink (or Trading or Account History), I am brought back to the Login screen. How can I fix this?

A: You evidently did not accept the cookie when first coming to the Internet site. The first time you attempt to log in, you will be prompted with the following message:

"The server wishes to set a cookie that will be sent to any server in the lionaccount.com. The name and value of the cookie are: USERID 1234567890123456. This cookie will persist until Thu Dec 30 19:00:00 1999. Do wish to allow this cookie to be set? OK or Cancel."

If you do NOT accept this cookie, you will experience at least two problems:

1. Since the Model Portfolios are cookie-based (as compared to account number or User ID), the only way you can establish a Model Portfolio is to have established a cookie.

2. You will be requested to log in each time you navigate between an unsecure area of the Internet site (ex: Market Watch, Quotes and News, Investment Ideas and Customer Service) and a secure area (Portfolio and Trading). A login field will appear. This will continually happen until you establish a cookie.

Note! This will also occur if you have been inactive for 30 minutes or more.

Q: How do I establish a "cookie"?

A: In order to activate or reactivate a browser's cookie functionality, follow the instructions below:

Netscape 3.0 versions

1. Select Options from the top tool bar of your browser.

2. Choose Network Preferences from the drop-down list.

3. Click on the folder labeled 'Protocols.'

4. Verify that the box entitled "Show an Alert before accepting a cookie" has been populated with a check mark.

5. Return to the Web site and attempt to log in. You should now receive a message stating that the site will establish a cookie for you. Please accept this message.

Netscape 4.0

1. Select "Edit" from the top navigational bar of your browser.

2. Choose "Preferences" from the drop-down list.

3. Click on the category labeled "Advanced."

4. Verify that "Accept all cookies" and "Warn me before accepting a cookie" have been populated with a check mark.

5. Return to the Web site and attempt to log in. You should now receive a message stating that the Web site will establish a cookie for you. Please accept this message.

Internet Explorer (most versions)

1. Select View from the top tool bar of your browser.

2. Choose Options from the drop-down list.

3. Click on the folder labeled "Advanced."

4. Verify that, under the section entitled 'Warnings,' the box labeled "warn before accepting cookies" has been populated with a check mark.

5. Return to the Web site and attempt to log in. You should now receive a message stating that the Web site will establish a cookie for you. Please accept this message.

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Q: I couldn't find my model portfolios when I logged into my account today.

A: The following questions all indicate reasons why you cannot find your model portfolios:

1. Are you using the same terminal on which you created your model portfolios?

2. Are you using the same browser via which you created your model portfolios?

Note! If you have more than one version of a browser (ex. Netscape 3.0 and Netscape 4.0) you will not be able to locate the model portfolios created on the opposite browser.

3. Did you recently uninstall or install a new Operating System (Windows
95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, Windows 98 for example)?

4. Have you recently upgraded or modified your hard drive?

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Q: What types of transactions can I enter into my model portfolios?

A: Stocks:

All BUY transactions
NO SELL transactions (system will not allow a negative number of
shares to be added to a Model Portfolio)

Options:

All BUY TO OPEN transactions
NO SELL TO CLOSE transactions (system will not allow a negative number of contracts to be added to a Model Portfolio)
NO COVERED CALLS transactions (system will not allow a negative number of contracts to be added to a Model Portfolio)

Mutual Funds:

All PURCHASE transactions
NO REDEMPTION transactions
NO EXCHANGE transactions

Q: How do I enter an option into a Model Portfolio?

A: Options may be entered into a Model Portfolio via two methods:

1. Example: IBM OCT 100 CALL (the transaction must appear exactly as such)

2. Example: IBM-AT (for IBM JAN 100 CALL)

Q: How do I enable my JAVA setting?

A: In order to locate the JavaScript on most Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers, please note the following:

Step One

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "View."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Options."

3. Click on the "Advanced" folder.

4. Verify that both option boxes present here with references to Java and JavaScript have a check mark present. If not, click on the boxes to enable the JavaScript.

Step Two

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "View."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Options."

3. Click on the "Security" folder.

4. Verify that the box labeled "Enable Java Programs" has a check mark present. If not, click on the box to enable the JavaScript.

On some older versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you can enable the JavaScript by completing the following steps:

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "Preferences."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Languages."

3. Verify that the option boxes present here with references to Java and JavaScript have a check mark present. If not, click on the box to enable the JavaScript.

If you are using Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher, please apply the following steps:

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "View."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Options."

3. Click on the "Advanced" folder.

4. Click on the Java entry.

5. Verify that the boxes labeled "Java JIT Compiler enabled" and "Java logging enabled" have a check mark present. If not, click on the box to enable the JavaScript.

---OR---

In order to enable the JavaScript on a Netscape Navigator browser, please note the following:

* Netscape Navigator versions 3.0 and 3.01

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "Options."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Network Preferences."

3. Click on the "Languages" folder.

4. Verify that both option boxes present here have a check mark present. If not, click on the boxes to enable the JavaScript.

* Netscape Navigator version 4.0

1. Select the "Security" button located on the top tool bar of the browser.

2. Click on the fifth option on the list provided: Java/JavaScript.

3. Follow instructions to enable JavaScript.

Q: I am logged into my account and when I go my Balances screen the "as of" date indicated is from last week. Have you updated your Balances lately?

A: The above would indicate that you need to clear your "cache." Simply speaking, "cache" is a browser's memory. That is, each time you go to a new page, the browser will "remember" that page. Therefore, the next time you go to that page, the browser will remember that page and bring it up more quickly. After a certain period of time (usually 10K kilobytes), the browser will become "full" and start providing bad information — like the case stated above.

Q: What are some other indications that I may need to clear my browser's cache?

1. Bad dates (Balances, History, Dow Jones Graph, etc.)

2. Incomplete pages (missing top navigational icon, only half a page downloads).

3. You click on a secure page and are prompted to log in (this is probably a cookie problem, but it can't hurt to clear your cache).

4. News stories for popular stocks showing the most recent from days/weeks ago.

Q: How do I clear my browser's cache?

A: In order to clear a cached page from your hard drive, please note the following:

*Netscape Navigator versions 3.0 and 3.01

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "Options."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Network Preferences."

3. Click on the "Cache" folder.

4. Click on the button marked "Clear Memory Cache Now" and select "OK."

5. Click on the button marked "Clear Disk Cache Now" and select "OK."

6. Exit the browser completely and go back in.

*Netscape Navigator version 4.0

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "Edit."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Preferences."

3. Click on the "Advanced" folder.

4. Click on the "Cache" sub-folder.

5. Click on the button marked "Clear Memory Cache Now" and select "OK."

6. Click on the button marked "Clear Disk Cache Now" and select "OK."

7. Exit the browser completely and go back in.

In order to clear a cached page from your hard drive, please note the following which will apply to most Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers:

1. From the browser's top tool bar, select "View."

2. From the selections provided, choose "Options."

3. Click on the "Advanced" folder.

4. *Click on the button which is labeled "Settings."

5. Select "Empty Folder" and then "Yes" when prompted.

6. Exit the browser completely and go back in.

^*We also recommend that you change your "Verify Documents" setting to "Every Time." By changing that setting, you should not have this problem in the future.

Q: I am receiving a message that your certificate has expired. Why is that?

A: This is most likely due to an expired version of a browser. For example, if you download a beta version of a browser, usually you will only have 30–60 days to use that browser before it expires. If a particular browser has expired, then the Web site will not be accessible. We recommend that you download another version of a valid browser.

Q: I am trying to get to the Internet site, but keep getting the message "Unable to locate server."

A: When you attempt to go to the Internet site, you first go through a local Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP will then route you to lionaccount.com's physical servers located in Jersey City, NJ. Depending on where you are attempting to access lionaccount.com from (California versus New York), you will have to be "bounced" through different routers before reaching the server in New Jersey. Let's say you live in California and type in the Internet site address. Provided nothing is "down" with your local ISP or with the Internet site, you will be bounced through five servers (let's say) before reaching lionaccount.com. Although this seems like a long process, in reality, this should occur almost instantaneously.

If you are routed through several servers, a problem anywhere along the way could produce the "Unable to locate server" message. If you get this message:

1. Is your local Internet Service Provider having a regional problem?
You'll have to contact your ISP to find out. A representative from the ISP's technology area will be able to type the Internet site address directly. If he or she is successful in reaching the site, then the problem resides elsewhere. If he or she is unsuccessful, then the problem more than likely is isolated to the ISP itself.

2. If your ISP is not experiencing any problems with their service, it is recommended that you request a trace be put on your transaction from your local ISP. The ISP will then watch your transaction come to them and then, in turn, they will route the transaction to a router to be routed to lionaccount.com. The ISP can trace your request being bounced from router to router. It is possible that the third (let's say) router is experiencing problems. Your ISP can then attempt to contact that specific router to alert them that they have a problem.

Q: I am typing the address of the Internet site and I am receiving a message that the address does not exist. Am I typing the correct address?

Q: I am attempting to login to the Internet site/go to the Internet site and receive the following message: "The URL you are attempting to access is no longer valid."

A: More than likely, you can refer to the above question for assistance. It is possible that one of the routers, for whatever reason, no longer recognizes the Internet address as a valid address. This problem will need to be rectified immediately.

Q: I am doing (X) and have received the following error message: "Your browser sent a message this service cannot understand."

A: You may be accessing the Web site via an unsecure browser.

Q: I am doing (X) and received the following message "Unable to execute the specified command."

A: You may be accessing the Web site via an unsecure browser.

Q: I am attempting to access the Internet site and receive the message "Can't attach to server." Are you down?

A: You may be accessing the Web site via an unsecure browser.

Q: I am receiving the error message "Error device attached to the system is not functioning."

A: You are most likely at work and are attempting to access the Internet via a firewall. Your company's Internet system will evidently not allow this.

Q: I am receiving the error message "Please call your vendor for immediate assistance."

A: If you are at work, call your System's Administrator to verify if external access has been interrupted. If you are at home, call your local Internet Service Provider (ISP) to verify whether or not they are experiencing any problems locally or with their routers.

Q: I am receiving a message that "Document Contains No Data."

A: This is generally a serious problem which needs to be rectified by the Dreyfus Lion Account^® service area. A representative from this group should be notified immediately. Please call 1-800-THE-LION (1-800-843-5466). Simply speaking, when this message is received, we have somehow disabled our domain name (lionaccount.com) from being a valid entry. This will need to be re-enabled by the Dreyfus Lion Account^®.

Q: I am trying to reach the Internet site, but keep getting a message that the "Lionaccount.com's server is busy." Are you down right now?

A: Yes. This indicates that lionaccount.com is experiencing problems with the servers. Depending on the severity of the problem, this situation can be rectified within minutes or may take several hours to remedy. A representative from the Dreyfus Lion Account^® should be notified immediately of this error. Please call 1-800-THE-LION (1-800-843-5466).

Q: I am attempting (X) and I am receiving a message that "Provider will not allow access to document."

A: Either you are running into a problem trying to access via a firewall at work OR you are experiencing problems with your local Internet Service Provider.

Q: I am attempting to go to the Web site and keep receiving the message that "Netscape (or Internet Explorer) is unable to locate the server: www.lionaccount.com. The server does not have a DNS entry. Check the Server name in the Location (URL) and type again." Are you down?

A: The most likely cause for this is that 1) you typed an invalid address or 2) your system never made a connection with your local Internet Service Provider.

Q: I am trying to get a quote on XYZ and receive the message that "Quote Service is busy. Please retry later."

A: This indicates that we are, in fact, experiencing problems with our quotes. This should not be limited to one symbol, however, but should be a global problem with our quote server.

Q: Every time I go from a Trading screen to the Quotes and News area, I am immediately prompted with the following message:

"Warning! You have requested an insecure document that was originally designated a secure document (the location has been redirected from a secure to an insecure document). The document and any information you send back could be observed by a third party while in transit."

A: This is not a message from the Dreyfus Lion Account^®, but comes from your browser. This message, depending on your browser settings, will automatically appear each time you navigate between a secure area of any given site to an unsecure area.

Q: How secure is the Internet site?

A:The Internet site lionaccount.com provides private, secure communications. The confidential account information and transactions are secured (encrypted) with the latest Netscape Secure Commerce Server technology, the best in the industry. Additionally, you are required to access your account using one of the latest secure browsers such as Netscape Navigator (version 3.0 or higher) or Microsoft's Internet Explorer (version 3.0 or higher).

When you log into your account, the encrypted (secure) areas can be easily identified by two characteristics. The first distinction is the location (URL). Pages using encryption will have URLs that begin with https:// (instead of http://). The second characteristic is the key icon that appears in the lower left corner of the browser. The key (or lock, for Microsoft Internet Explorer users) will appear whole rather than broken in half.

Our servers also use "cookie" technology to ensure your account's confidentiality and security, to make it easier for you to navigate through the Internet site, and to enable you to create customized information on the Internet site based on input you decide, including model portfolios.

Q: What is the difference between Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator?

A: Netscape chose to label its browser "Navigator" up to the point of its 4.0 version of the browser, which they are now marketing under the name of "Communicator." Netscape Communicator made its debut to the general public during the summer of 1997.

Q: What is the significance of the key (for Netscape, a lock for Microsoft) in the lower left-hand corner of the screen?

A: If the key (or lock) is broken, this will indicate that you are in a non-secure area of our site (or any site on the Internet). In reference to the Web site, the key (or lock) will be broken when you are in the following areas: Market Watch, Quotes and News, Investment Ideas and Customer Service. The key (or lock) will be full when you are in a secure area (Portfolio or Trading).

Note! When a lock is full, that means whatever transaction/information you are requesting is coming to you in an encrypted manner. This is to prevent hackers from accessing this vital information.

Q: What level of encryption do you provide for your accounts?

A: The Web site has a minimum encryption level of 40 bits.

Q: When I log in, I notice that the Internet address changes from http://www.xyz.com to https://www2.xyz.com. Can I use this address from now on to access the Internet site?

A: Yes. This will automatically point you to our secure server, however. You will go immediately to our Login page, bypassing the Home Page. The "s" in 'https' simply implies that you are now pointing towards a secure server. Therefore, the key (or lock) at the bottom of the screen should be full or not broken.

Q: How long before I get timed out of my Internet session due to inactivity?

A: 30 minutes.

Q: I have two accounts. When I log in, I only see my IRA account. How can I view my retail account?

A: When you log into the Web site, you will be on the Balances screen of your primary account. To change to a different account, go to your Portfolio or Trading section of the Web site and click on "Select an Account." Once clicked, the Web site will provide you with a list of all your accounts. By clicking on a hyperlinked account number, the account will change for that session only. This can be done an unlimited number of times.

To change the default account, however, once you are logged into the Internet, go to the Portfolio or Customer Service section of the Web site and click on "Account Profile." On this page there will be a "Change Primary Account" button. Click on this button and select the account you would like to appear every time a login occurs for that particular ID.

Q: Can I access the Internet site using Web TV?

A: No. As Web TV currently does not allow for secure transactions, we do not support this service. This equally applies to the newer versions of Web TV that have been developed. They still cannot handle secure transactions.

Q: What do the red and blue lines signify on your GIF charts?

A: The red lines indicate the high for the five-minute period, with the blue lines indicating the lowest price trading during that time frame.

Q: I am in Order Status and see all my orders as "Pending" in my account, even after I have selected the Refresh button.

A: You are most likely using Internet Explorer 3.0. There is a known limitation with this browser that the Refresh button on the Order Status screen does not function as it should. That is, although the button may be depressed, no action will be taken to update the Order Status screen. You should exit the Trading Screen and re-enter, selecting Order Status to obtain an up-to-date list of their orders.

Q: I am trying to get to the Internet site and I am receiving the message "Content Advisor Error message. You need to put in a Supervisor's password."

A: Some smaller businesses restrict Internet Access (much like a firewall) to one individual or a small group of individuals. In order to access the local ISP, it is necessary that the user enter an Access ID.

Q: How do I delete a position from my Model Portfolio?

A: When you select "Display Portfolios," to the immediate left of each symbol will be an edit icon (this looks like a piece of paper). A simple click on this icon will present you with the option to change or remove the position from the Model Portfolio.

Q: How do I delete a Model Portfolio/add a position to a Model Portfolio?

A: When you select "Display Portfolios," there will be three push-buttons located at the bottom of the screen: Delete Portfolio, Rename Portfolio, Add Security.

Q: What browser version do I have?

A: For each Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer, there will be a "Help" option located along the top tool bar of the browser. Click on Help and drag the mouse down to either "About Netscape…" or "About Microsoft Explorer…" and this will indicate which version of the software you are using.

Please e-mail your comments and questions to us at lionaccount@dreyfus.com.

1-800-THE-LION is a federally registered trademark of MBSC Securities Corporation.