Simple Steps for Safe Online Banking

Are you using Internet banking? When banking on the Internet follow these steps:

• Always access your bank’s website by typing the address into the browser.
  
• Keep your computer up-to-date with anti-virus, firewall software and the latest patches.
• Avoid using passwords or PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that are relevant to your personal situation. Passwords with telephone numbers, postcodes, your name, or the name of a close relative and dates of birth are simple for criminals to trace. Create passwords with letters and numbers that cannot be easily attributable to you.
• Always memorise your password or PIN and do not write it down or store it on your computer. You are responsible for keeping this information confidential.
• Change your password regularly and don't use the same password for other services such as your video store.
• Confirm that your data is encrypted between your computer and the bank by looking for the padlock symbol on the bottom right hand corner of the browser window.
• Always log out from the Internet banking menu when you finish all your banking.
• Close your Internet browser after logging out at the end of each Internet banking session.
• Beware of any windows that ‘pop up’ during an Internet banking session and be very suspicious if it directs you to another website which then requests your customer identification or password.