Partnering for online security
Online banking has grown rapidly into a major new way to bank. Some surveys show that
more people prefer to bank online than in the traditional ways. This phenomenal growth has
been accompanied by increases in the safety and security measures undertaken by banks
and their customers. But cyber-criminals are always looking for new ways to electronically
break into the bank and steal your money.
Safe online banking depends on continuing and strengthening this partnership for safe online banking:
Banks invest substantially in security
Lawmakers, regulators and the banking industry have forged substantive standards for safeguarding customers’ personal information.
Uniform examination procedures are in place to monitor and enforce these standards,
and bank examiners regularly go on-site to assess how bank security measures are being
implemented, understanding that each bank has a different menu of products and services,
and therefore differing security requirements. Some of the areas they look at include:
- Access controls ensuring customer information can be accessed only by authorized
persons, including use of multi-factor authentication when warranted.
- Physical restrictions at computer facilities that permit access to authorized persons only.
- Data encryption of electronically transmitted and stored customer information.
- Modification procedures to ensure that changes are consistent with the approved security program.
- Dual control procedures, segregation of duties, and employee background checks.
- Monitoring procedures to detect actual and attempted intrusions into customer information.
- Response programs specifying actions to be taken by specific individuals when the institution suspects unauthorized access.
- Environmental hazard protections against physical damage or technology failures.
Banks partner with you, the customer
Your bank has security measures to protect your account information, but they can’t be
effective without your help and cooperation. Many account hijacking attempts come as a
result of hacking into individual user accounts, and from there electronically breaking into the
bank using your information and security codes.
Some common sense and easily implemented precautions can help you safeguard
your personal information:
- Strong passwords-advise against using easily guessed passwords such as birthdays or home addresses.
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Anti-virus protections
-Make sure the anti-virus software on your computer is current
and scans your email as it is received.
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Email safety-Email is generally not encrypted so be wary of sending any sensitive
information such as account numbers or other personal information in this way.
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Sign off and log out
-Always log off by following the bank’s secured area exit
procedures.
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Don’t get phished-Crooks are always trying to get your personal information, and
they employ some ingenious methods. Don’t respond to any unusual email requests for
personal information—when you opened your bank accounts you already gave it. When in
doubt, call your bank.
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Monitor your accounts
-When you check your accounts regularly, you can let your bank
know immediately if you encounter anything that does not seem right.
Helpful Hint: Studies show that those who monitor their accounts online often detect fraud
earlier than those who rely solely on paper statements.
Free credit reports your best tool
When it comes to guarding against cyber-fraud, one of the most important tools at your
disposal is your credit report. It details all of your credit transaction accounts, and will be the
first place that unusual charges or entirely new accounts will appear. And you can monitor
your report for FREE.
Since Federal law permits consumers to obtain a free report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, cyber-security experts advise that you to get a free report from a different agency every four months. Doing so will allow you to monitor your personal online security all year long.